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Credit & Copyright: Greg Polanski
Explanation:
Most star clusters are singularly impressive.
Open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884,
however, could be considered doubly impressive.
Also known as "h and chi Persei", this unusual
double cluster, shown above, is bright enough to be seen from a
dark location without even
binoculars.
Although their discovery surely predates
recorded history, the Greek astronomer
Hipparchus
notably cataloged the
double cluster.
The clusters are over 7,000 light years distant toward the
constellation
of Perseus,
but are separated by only hundreds of light years.
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.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: open cluster
Publications with words: open cluster
See also:
- APOD: 2025 April 28 B Gum 37 and the Southern Tadpoles
- Open Star Clusters M35 and NGC 2158
- APOD: 2025 February 25 B M41: The Little Beehive Star Cluster
- APOD: 2025 February 11 B The Spider and the Fly
- APOD: 2024 October 29 B NGC 602: Stars Versus Pillars from Webb
- NGC 7789: Caroline s Rose
- APOD: 2024 July 2 B NGC 602: Oyster Star Cluster