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The double cluster in Perseus - NGC 869 and NGC 884
NGC 869 is a star cluster located in the constellation Perseus. It is also known as h Persei or the Double Cluster, as it is often seen together with a neighbouring cluster, NGC 884, and the two are considered a single astronomical object.
The Double Cluster is one of the brightest and closest open clusters to Earth and is a popular target for amateur astronomers.
The clusters contain hundreds of stars, some of which are quite young and bright, and are thought to have formed about 7 million years ago. They are located about 7,500 light-years away from Earth.
I processed this image with focus on the H-alpha (seen as red) throughout the background. There’s a lot more to be seen surrounding many of the deepsky objects we like to image.
One-on-one PixInsight lessons available! Email me today [email protected]
There’s something special about observing a double cluster in the night sky and NGC 869 and NGC 884 form one of the best examples. Double clusters are very rare.
Image technical:
- Starfield Optics 8″ Astrograph (native F4) http://bit.ly/3WOrKsf
- Starizona NEXUS .75 reducer/coma corrector for F3 https://bit.ly/3MCijaB
- QHY268M CMOS Camera (https://bit.ly/3Aj23FE), 26mp, 3.76um @ -10C
- QHY CFW3-L 7 position https://bit.ly/3IiYoxY
- Optolong LRGB filters https://bit.ly/3WQd5N7
- Skywatcher EQ6 mount https://bit.ly/3jEonpC / Skyshed Pier (Skyshedpod.com)
- Pegasus Astro Focus Cube https://bit.ly/2NDdEb2
- NINA 2.0 for acquisition
- Processed in PixInsight
- Seeing and transparency: average to good
- Total integration time: 96 minutes (1min subs at high gain)
- Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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My story began more than 40 years ago looking up at the Moon with a small collapsible telescope my Father had. Encouraged by my parents, who bought me my very own telescope, a 4.5″ reflector, I began to explore the night sky from my family home backyard. Today I do astrophotography from my home in Kitchener, Ontario and also with remote telescopes located in New Mexico and Australia. Some of my images have won awards and have been featured online and in magazines.
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