Explanation:
This lovely starfield spans some seven full moons (about 3.5 degrees) across
the heroic northern constellation of Perseus. Just right of center it holds the
famous pair of open or galactic star clusters, h and Chi Persei. Also cataloged
as NGC 869 (right) and NGC 884, both clusters are about 7,000 light-years away
and contain stars much younger and hotter than the Sun. Separated by only a few
hundred light-years, the clusters are both 13 million years young based on the
ages of their individual stars, evidence that they were likely a product of the
same star-forming region. Always a rewarding sight in binoculars, the Double
Cluster is even visible to the unaided eye from dark locations. Not seen in
binoculars though, and not often depicted in telescopic images of the region
are faint clouds of reddish ionized hydrogen gas found throughout this
remarkable cosmic skyscape. A color composite, the image includes narrowband
data to enhance emission from the hydrogen clouds. Visible toward the upper
left of the wide field of view is another, smaller open star cluster, NGC 957,
also of similar age, distance, and possibly related to the more famous Double
Cluster in Perseus.
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