The Double Cluster
The Double Cluster (NGC 869, bottom, and NGC 884) in the constellation Perseus are young clusters of
stars only about 13 million years old that are moving through space together. They are separated by only
a few hundred light-years and contain stars much younger and hotter than the Sun. At a distance of about
7500 light years and dimmed by the absorption of starlight by interstellar dust, they are just barely visible to
the naked eye to the east of the "W" of the constellation Cassiopeia. These clusters were first cataloged in
130 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus. In addition to being physically close together, the clusters' ages
based on their individual stars are similar - evidence that both clusters were likely a product of the same
star-forming region.
stars only about 13 million years old that are moving through space together. They are separated by only
a few hundred light-years and contain stars much younger and hotter than the Sun. At a distance of about
7500 light years and dimmed by the absorption of starlight by interstellar dust, they are just barely visible to
the naked eye to the east of the "W" of the constellation Cassiopeia. These clusters were first cataloged in
130 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus. In addition to being physically close together, the clusters' ages
based on their individual stars are similar - evidence that both clusters were likely a product of the same
star-forming region.
