NGC 869 and NGC 884
Open Cluster NGC 869
= H VI.33
= h Persei),
and
Open Cluster NGC 884
= H VI.34
= chi Persei),
in Perseus
The Double Cluster (Caldwell 14)
h Persei, NGC 869 | chi Persei, NGC 884 | |
---|---|---|
Right Ascension | 2 : 19.0 (h:m) | 2 : 22.4 (h:m) |
Declination | +57 : 09 (deg:m) | +57 : 07 (deg:m) |
Distance | 7.1 (kly) | 7.4 (kly) |
Visual Brightness | 4.3 (mag) | 4.4 (mag) |
Apparent Dimension | 30 (arc min) | 30 (arc min) |
The famous double cluster in Perseus was known in antique times (probably
even pre-historically), and first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Hipparcos.
Both clusters are situated in the Perseus OB 1 association, and also only a
few hundred light-years appart, at a distance of over 7000 light years. They
are both quite young: h is listed at 5.6, chi at 3.2 million years
(Sky Catalog 2000); their hottest main sequence stars are of spectral type B0.
They are approaching us at 22 (h) and 21 (chi) km/sec, respectively.
Both clusters are listed
in the SAC 110 best NGC object list.
The double cluster is No. 17 in the
RASC Finest NGC Objects list.
Last Modification: 2 Jul 1998, 21:30 MET