Perseus Double Cluster
Perseus Double Cluster
The Double Cluster (also known as Caldwell 14) consists of the open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884, which are close together in the constellation Perseus. Both visible with the naked eye, NGC 869 and NGC 884 lie at a distance of about 7,500 light years in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. NGC 869 has a mass of 4,700 solar masses and NGC 884 weighs in at 3,700 solar masses. Based on their individual stars, the clusters are relatively young, both 14 million years old. The clusters are also blueshifted, and are approaching Earth at a speed of 38-39 km/s (24 mi/s). The image was captured during one night in November, with an imaging plan of 300-60 second subs for a total integration of 5hours from my backyard observatory.
Telescope: Redcat51
Camera: ASI183MC Pro
Filters: Antila Triband
Guide camera: 120MM mini
Control unit: Asiair Pro
Mount: EQ6r Pro
Post-Processing: Pixinsight