The Double Cluster in Perseus
This pretty starfield spans about three full moons (1.5 degrees) across the heroic northern constellation of Perseus . It holds the famous pair of open star clusters , h and Chi Persei. Also cataloged as NGC 869 (top) and NGC 884 , both clusters are about 7,000 light-years away and contain stars much younger and hotter than the Sun. Separated by only a few hundred light-years, the clusters are both 13 million years young based on the ages of their individual stars , evidence that they were likely a product of the same star-forming region . Always a rewarding sight in binoculars , the Double Cluster is even visible to the unaided eye from dark locations . But a shroud of guitar strings was used to produce diffraction spikes on the colorful stars imaged in this vibrant telescopic view. Global Moon Party: Including APOD's Best Moon Images: Saturday, October 9