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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Двойное скопление в Персее http://www.astronet.ru/db/msg/1970972/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Ron Brecher
Explanation:
This
stunning starfield
spans about three full moons (1.5 degrees)
across the heroic northern constellation of
Perseus.
It holds the famous
pair of open 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 both clusters were likely a product of the same star-forming
region.
Always a rewarding
sight
in binoculars or small telescopes,
the Double Cluster is even visible to the unaided eye from
dark locations.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.