Double Cluster (NGC 884 and NGC 869)

The Double Cluster (NGC 884 and NGC 869) in the constellation Perseus was first noted by the Greek astronomer, Hipparchus, as early as 130 B.C. What he saw was a patch of light. However, the true nature of the Double Cluster wasn’t discovered until the invention of the telescope many centuries later. The two clusters are normally not able to be captured in a single FOV; however, my camera (SE MC25C) has that capability.

NGC 884 and NGC 869 are at distances of 7600 and 6800 light-years away, respectively, so they are also close to one another in space. The clusters' ages, based on their individual stars, are relatively young. NGC 869 is 5.6 million years old and NGC 884 is 3.2 million years old, according to the 2000 Sky Catalog.

This is my 10 minute image of the Double Cluster, with NGC 869 at the top and NGC 884 at the bottom.