#caldwell 14

[quiltofstars]

The Double Cluster, C14 // Michael Kutschera

Getting two objects for the price of one is the Double Cluster containing the open clusters h Persei (NGC 869, left) and χ Persei (NGC 884, right). Both clusters are actually next door to each other as both are at a distance of about 7,000 light years in the constellation of Perseus, the Greek hero.

There are more than 300 blue-white supergiant stars in each cluster, with χ Persei containing five prominent red supergiant stars.

[spacewonder19]

Caldwell14 the Double Cluster in Perseus

[quiltofstars]

The Double Cluster, C14 // Vlaams59

The Double Cluster was actually known to ancient Greek astronomers. Hipparchus (c. 190 - 120 BC) cataloged the object as a patch of light as early as 130 BC. However, the true nature of the object as two separate star clusters was not realized until William Herschel (1738-1822) observed it.

This pair of clusters is circumpolar, and so you can see it all year round.

[viddyspace]

Double Cluster by Jonas Thomén on Flickr.