The Double Cluster (NGC 869 & 884)

[RobH]

The double cluster is one of the most beautiful objects in the sky, both visually and photographically but it’s tricky to come close to capturing the visual beauty of the object with a photograph!

It’s visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch in the sword handle of Perseus, but resolves into 2 distinct clusters in even a very low powered telescope.

It represents the jewelled handle of Perseus’s sword, given to him by the Gods to help him slay the gorgon Medusa. It was first catalogued by Hipparcos, in 130B.C, but has probably been known since mankind first started looking at the heavens.

The clusters are about 7500 light years away, and are approximately 14 million years old. They are estimated to contain about 47000 stars, and are moving towards us at the leisurely rate of 14 miles per second.

Imaged from Weymouth on the 30th September 2011 with a TMB 80/480, Televue 0.8x focal reducer and Starlight Xpress SXV M25C.

Subs were 104 x3 minutes

Cheers

Rob.

[MjrTom]

Excellent image Rob, lots of star colour showing

[foundaplanet]

Best one I have seen of it.

No blown parts and the colours are just fabulous, very very pleasing..

Cheers..

[steppenwolf]

That's nice - this object is a beautiful sight through the eyepiece but troublesome to capture in an image because the core stars burn out so easily. You have a good balance on this one, Rob.

[barkis]

Rob, I do like the way you add interest by including the Myth, and facts to some of you targets.

To be sure, the DC is visually a stunning sight, especially in a large richest field scope.

To a large extent, modern imaging techniques, and processing skills, are permitting objects like this to be more than comparable to the visual appearance.

Nice result from you as usual mate .

Ron.

[prokyon]

Nice colours!

[oldfruit]

Nice bit of background info as well as a cracking image. It is quite striking visually and you certainly seem to have done it justice with your image.

[SkyJamie]

I really like this, awesome work Rob

Jamie

[Spikey]

I'd put that on the wall ! One of my favourite objects for it's sheer beauty. I think this is going to be my next widefield target.

[Deneb]

mmmm, not bad, not bad Mr. H

Nadeem.