Double cluster of perseus

[leo82 96]

Is this viewable through binoculars?

With the clear skies tonight I attempted finding it. I searched all around perseus and up to cassiopea but could not find it.

My binoculars are 10 x 50.

Many thanks.

[BeanerSA 134]

Yes absolutely.

[Stu 30,339]

Yep, as long as your light pollution isn't ridiculous you should see it in binos.

Draw a line between the end star in Cassiopeia (Segin) and Mirfak. The DC is just off this line, closer to Cass.

[laudropb 7,180]

Binoculars are the best instrument for viewing the double cluster as long as your skies are reasonable. From a dark sky site you can see them without optical aid.

[BinocularSky 2,384]

Is this viewable through binoculars?

With the clear skies tonight I attempted finding it. I searched all around perseus and up to cassiopea but could not find it.

My binoculars are 10 x 50.

Yes, it is viewable, bu tyou need to know what you are looking for. Some hints here.

[leo82 96]

Thanks for the replies. At least I'm in the right area. I will just have to keep searching for it.

Will I see it as two definite clusters with many stars or will it be two hazy patches where all the stars seem to merge together?

Many thanks.

[Singlin 1,202]

One hazy blob to the naked eye.

[Stu 30,339]

Thanks for the replies. At least I'm in the right area. I will just have to keep searching for it.

Will I see it as two definite clusters with many stars or will it be two hazy patches where all the stars seem to merge together?

Many thanks.

Should be two hazy patches in binoculars, perhaps a little like this....

[leo82 96]

Thanks Stu, I will keep this in mind next time I go out to search for it.

[LukeSkywatcher 15,471]

The double in Perseus is one of a select few objects which look best in bins. 

Edited January 8, 2016 by LukeSkywatcher

[Stu 30,339]

The double in Perseus is one of a select few objects which look best in bins.

They look pretty spectacular in a widefield scope [emoji3][emoji106]

[leo82 96]

I searched for this last night and I still couldn't find it, it's beginning to become my nemesis!

[Size9Hex 1,476]

In Stu's most recent screenshot, you'll see an elongated ring of stars in the top half (but still inside the red circle). This ring is very distinctive in binos and shows that you're in the right place. The two little fuzzy patches are right next to it towards the main stars in Perseus. Good luck! :-)

[leo82 96]

Thanks Paul. I will have a look for the elongated ring of stars that's in the screenshot  and hopefully be drawn to the double cluster. If I find miram as a starter point would that mean I would come to the clusters first before the elongated ring of stars?

[Size9Hex 1,476]

That's right, and that's exactly how I locate it too (i.e. from Miram).

[Moonshane 12,143]

It looks pretty amazing in my 12" f4 too esp from dark skies

[Stu 30,339]

It looks pretty amazing in my 12" f4 too esp from dark skies

In my defence Shane, I said widefield scope not widefield refractor [emoji6][emoji6]

[MAN or ASTROMAN 783]

The double in Perseus is one of a select few objects which look best in bins. 

I fully agree with Luke.

You can lose yourself in the Double Cluster through Bins.

And whilst your in the Area,Check out Melotte 20,the 'Perseus association' around Mirfak-another Binocular highlight.

[leo82 96]

Last night was clear so I decided to try and find it again following the advice above I went straight to the right area, I saw what I think was the elongated star pattern around 5 stars going down vertically with 2 stars underneath them going horizontally. To the left of that a little bit instead of seeing the odd random star there was alot of stars quite close together and then just below them and to the right was the same again but not with as many stars. Is this the double cluster? I couldn't really see any haze, maybe my skies just aint dark enough?

I shall check melotte 20 out next time I get chance. Thanks.

Edited January 12, 2016 by leo82

[BinocularSky 2,384]

Is this the double cluster?

Yes! Well done!

Now, at the other end of that "elongated ring" is a stick-man figure (upside down in the evening at this time of year) of 8th & 9th magnitude stars. That is Stock 2, aka the "Muscleman Cluster", who appears to be "ripping" that elongated ring of stars away from the PDC.

[leo82 96]

Woohoo another one in the bag! Thanks, I will definately check out the muscleman cluster, now I know exactly where to look.

[MAN or ASTROMAN 783]

Like so many celestial objects,once you've found them the first time,they seem to register on the internal sky map.

I'm sure that you'll find it easily next time,and the time after that-it really is a classic object that you will find yourself returning to again and again.