Double Cluster
Open cluster

Double Cluster

NGC 869 · Perseus
These photons are ~7,500 years old
UV/IR
Date
2025-09-21
Location
36.3860° N, 28.0409° E
Integration
15m (46 × 20s)
Software
ZWO Seestar app
Notes
Plate solve
Centre RA
2h 19m 40.5s
Centre Dec
+57° 11′ 22″
Field
42.8′ × 76.0′
Pixel scale
2.38″/px
Orientation
70.5° E of N
Captured from · Ελλάς
36.3860° N, 28.0409° E · open map ↗

Where to find it

Interactive sky chart centred on 2 19 40.5 +57 11 22, with constellation stick figures overlaid. Locate shows the whole constellation with the target ringed; Field zooms to the close-up. Drag to pan, scroll to zoom, click any star to identify it. Imagery: DSS colour survey via CDS Aladin Lite. Constellation figures © Dominic Ford (GPLv3).

Two physically associated open clusters separated by only a few hundred light-years and presenting as a spectacular naked-eye pair. Embedded in the Perseus OB1 association; a sweeping wide-field image captures both clusters and the surrounding rich Milky Way and nebulosity.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of object is NGC 869?
NGC 869 is an open cluster.
Which constellation is NGC 869 in?
NGC 869 lies in the constellation Perseus.
How far away is NGC 869?
The light in this image left NGC 869 roughly ~7,500 years ago, so that is how far back in time you are seeing it.
What are the coordinates of NGC 869?
NGC 869 sits at right ascension 02h 19m 41s and declination +57° 11′ 22″ (J2000).
When is the best time to photograph NGC 869?
NGC 869 is circumpolar from around 54°N — it never sets, and rides highest (about 86° altitude) on evenings around October.
What equipment was used to photograph NGC 869?
This image of NGC 869 was captured with ZWO Seestar S50 and ZWO Seestar S50 Camera.
How much exposure time went into this image?
This image of NGC 869 represents 15m (46 × 20s) of total integration time.