The Double Cluster of Perseus is a pair of star clusters h and χ Persei. Both clusters are surrounded with a very extensive halo of stars. However, the true nature of the Double Cluster was not discovered until the invention of the telescope, many centuries later. [9], Perseus is the mythological symbol of adventure. 2020. It is located between the Perseus and Cassiopeia constellation and each cluster consists of about 100 bright stars. Both NGC 869 and NGC 884 are getting closer to Earth at a rate of 24 miles per second. The Perseus Cluster which appears to be nothing more than a mere star field is actually a cluster of … There is much to see here and do enjoy it with a variety of telescopes over the years. [citation needed], Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Double_Cluster&oldid=988676700, Astronomical objects known since antiquity, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 November 2020, at 16:29. Perseus Cluster Facts: 6-10. There are more than 300 blue-white super-giant stars in each of the clusters. The Double Cluster represents the jewelled handle of Perseus's sword. It is just that the cluster has been cataloged as Abell 426. The Sky-Watcher Esprit 150 with the QHY-16200 camera really hits the sweet spot, getting the cluster well resolved in a nice frame. Observing sections Home. Along with beheading Medusa, Perseus performed other heroic deeds as well, such as saving Andromeda who was a princess chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. More than 300 blue-white supergiant stars are located in both clusters. Perseus also contains a number of famous deep sky objects, among them Messier 34, the Double Cluster, the California Nebula (NGC 1499) and the Little Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 76). Registered company no. The clusters are also blueshifted, with NGC 869 approaching Earth at a speed of 39 km/s (24 mi/s) and NGC 884 approaching at a similar speed of 38 km/s (24 mi/s). For more information, please, Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890, © The British Astronomical Association 2020, The BAA's Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS). Guided SW Alt-Az EQ6 with Orion 60mm, and NexGuide. (Image: © … It is sometimes claimed that Bayer could not have resolved the pair into two patches of nebulosity, and that χ refers to the Double Cluster and h to a nearby star. This pair of open clusters lie about 7,000 light-years away from Earth. One of my favourite star clusters is the Double Cluster in Perseus which is now rising nicely in the North East sky. There are lots of notable deep-sky objects (star clusters, nebulae and galaxies) in Perseus to enjoy, such as the Alpha Persei Cluster, which is visible to the naked eye as a group of blue stars, and at just 60 million years old is astronomically speaking very young . 18. It contains many blue and red stars. The Perseus constellation is home to numerous renowned deep sky objects, some of which are Messier 34, the California Nebula (NGC 99), the Double Cluster and the Little Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 76). With a declination of 57N, it's circumpolar from many northern locations and therefore never sets. NGC 869 has a mass of 3700 solar masses and NGC 884 2800 solar masses; so the total mass for the complex is estimated in excess of 20,000 solar masses when including an extensive halo of stars. The clusters are over 7,000 light years distant toward the constellation of Perseus, but are separated by only hundreds of light years. Facts about Perseus Constellation A rich part of the Milky Way runs through Perseus, making it an attractive constellation for binocular users. The Double Cluster (also known as Caldwell 14) consists of the open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884 (often designated h Persei and χ Persei, respectively), which are close together in the constellation Perseus. I’ve imaged the Double Cluster with just about every different scope and camera that I’ve used. The Double Cluster in Perseus (NGC 869 and NGC 884) are two open clusters in the constellation Perseus. A Double Star Cluster in Perseus Explanation: Most star clusters are singularly impressive.Open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884, however, could be considered doubly impressive. Reproduction of the work by third-parties is expressly forbidden without the consent of the copyright holder. Registered charity no. NASA also says that the cluster is actually a part of an even bigger structure known as the Pisces-Perseus supercluster which composed of well over 1000 galaxies. The Double Cluster located in Perseus consists of the open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884. Tonight, find the gorgeous Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus. Explanation: Some 7,000 light-years away, this pair of open or galactic star clusters is an easy binocular target, a lovely starfield in the northern constellation Perseus. They are located at around 7,500 light-years away from us and have an apparent magnitude of 3.7 and 3.8 respectively. Also visible to the unaided eye from dark sky areas, it was cataloged in 130 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus. In addition to being physically close together, the clusters' ages based on their individual stars are similar - evidence that both clusters were likely a product of the same star-forming region. Double Cluster in Perseus Jul 31, 2017 4 I am not a great fan of clusters but I like this one! It is considered a sky jewel, although, it is not visible to the naked eye. It is in proximity to the constellation Cassiopeia. They are described as being an "awe-inspiring" and "breathtaking" sight, and are often cited as a target in astronomy observer's guides. The Double Cluster in … A Double Star Cluster in Perseus. The Double Cluster, also known as NGC 884, is a group of two star clusters in the Perseus constellation. Forum 117572 M76, also known as little dumbbell nebula/ Barbell nebula/ Cork nebula is a faint nebula in the constellation Perseus. For more information including contact details, click here. Both visible with the naked eye, NGC 869 and NGC 884 lie at a distance of 7,500 light years. 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