H & Chi Persei - The Double Cluster

Double Cluster

Click on the image to see it at 2X resolution

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From SEDS.ORG: The famous double cluster in Perseus was known in ancient times (probably even pre-historically), and first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Hipparcos.

Both clusters are situated in the Perseus OB 1 association and are only a few hundred light-years apart and at a distance from us of over 7000 light years.

O'Meara and Green (2003) point out some historical confusion about the identity of the designations or names of the objects "Chi" and "h" Persei. As they point out, since the 1840s, the name "Chi" is attributed to NGC 884, and "h" to NGC 869. However, these authors point out that very probably, Tycho Brahe measured one position for the "nebulous star" that is actually the double cluster, and Johann Bayer designated this "star" as Chi. Probably, he used the name "h Persei" for a fainter nearby star.
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Scope: Astro-Physics AP155EDF w 4" FF
Mount: SB Paramount ME
Camera: Apogee U16M w Astrodon Gen II LRGB filters
Guiding: SBIG ST-402ME on Borg 60mm
Luminance: 22 x 5 minutes
RGB: 10/8/10 x 5 minutes
Acquired using CCDSoft5 and orchestrated with CCD-Commander
Darks, Flats, Sigma Reject combine in Maxim
Assembled in PS CS5
Gradient removal using Russ Croman's GradX
Flesherton, Ontario
November 17th 2012

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