Not all DSO (Deep Space Objects) are colorful nebula. This is a capture of a double cluster – NGC 869 (lower) and NGC 884 (upper). NGC 869 is an open cluster located 7600 light years away in the constellation of Perseus. The cluster is most likely around 13 million years old. NGC 884 is located 7600 light years away. This cluster is most likely around 12.5 million years old. Both clusters are located physically close to one another, only a few hundred light years apart.

So, what is an open cluster? An open cluster is a type of star cluster made of up a few thousand stars that were formed from the same giant molecular cloud and have roughly the same age. More than 1,100 open clusters have been discovered within the Milky Way Galaxy, and many more are thought to exist. Both these are visible to the naked eye.

Trivia question of the day… This was discovered by Hipparchus a Greek astronomer. What else is he known for? He is the father of trigonometry…. (that was for wife wife the math-ie).

Thus a fairly short exposure – 7 x 120 seconds plus supporting files.

Thanks for looking!