This lovely starfield spans some
four full moons (about 2 degrees) across the heroic northern constellation of Perseus. In
telescopic exposures made during the nights of January 24, 26, and 28 it holds
the famous pair of open or galactic star clusters h and Chi Persei with comet
PanSTARRS (C/2017 T2) captured each night as it swept left to right across the
field of view. Also cataloged as NGC 869 (right) and NGC 884,
both star 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.
Discovered in 2017 while still beyond the orbit of Saturn, Comet PanSTARRs is a new visitor to
the inner solar system and just over 13 light-minutes from planet Earth. Always
a rewarding sight in binoculars, the
Double Cluster is even visible to the unaided eye from dark locations. C/2017 T2 could
remain a telescopic comet though. One of the brightest comets anticipated
in 2020 it makes its closest approach to the Sun in
early May.
Image & info via APOD
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