NGC 869 and 884 - The Double Cluster in Perseus
Copyright 2001 Hap Griffin
The famous double star cluster in the constellation Perseus was known in antiquity, first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Hipparcos in 130 B.C.
Both clusters are at a distance from us of over 7000 light years, but only a few hundred light years apart. Both are quite young based on the spectral measurements of their main sequence stars. NGC 869 is listed at 5.6 million years and NGC 884 at 3.2 million years (Sky Catalog 2000). They are approaching us at 22 and 21 km/sec, respectively.
This pair can be spotted naked eye as a bright "knot" in the fabric of the background Milky Way southeast of the constellation Cassiopeia.
Date/Location:
August 21, 2001 Griffin/Hunter
Observatory Bethune, SC
Instrument: Nikon FM w/ 200mmTokina zoom lens @ 200mm
Focal Ratio: f4
Guiding: Manual through LX-200, camera piggyback
Conditions: Visually clear, but with moderate high level water
vapor
Weather: 70 F, Still wind
Film: Kodak Elite Chrome 200
Exposure: 1 x 30 minutes
Filters: None
Processing: Finished in Photoshop 5