Check out the Double Cluster in Perseus on October evenings
The Double Cluster in Perseus is a breathtaking pair of open star clusters, easy to see in October. Here's how to find it in your sky. The post Check out the Double Cluster in Perseus on October evenings first appeared on EarthSky .
The Double Cluster in Perseus is an easy-to-find celestial sight for amateur astronomers. To locate it, first identify the distinctive M or W shape of the constellation Cassiopeia, which is easily recognizable in the northern sky. Once you have Cassiopeia in view, look for the constellation Perseus nearby. Between these two constellations, scan with binoculars to reveal the Double Cluster.
The Double Cluster is made up of two open star clusters, h Persei and chi Persei, located approximately 7,500 light-years away. Each cluster houses a few hundred young, hot supergiant stars, which are many thousands of times more luminous than our sun. The Double Cluster is highly visible to the unaided eye in a dark country sky, even for those with no telescopic equipment.
It remains visible to the naked eye throughout the year, except during late spring and summer, and is almost always visible in the evening sky.
Written by urgent.news from EarthSky's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
