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October 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo October 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo

NGC 869 & NGC 884 - The Double Cluster

The Double Cluster, also known as Caldwell 14, is one of the most prominent and captivating open star cluster pairings in the night sky. Located in the constellation Perseus, these clusters are relatively young, with an estimated age of around 12.8 million years. What makes them particularly fascinating is that they are not physically associated with each other, despite their apparent proximity in the night sky. NGC 869, the northern cluster, is about 6,800 light-years away from Earth, while NGC 884, the southern cluster, is approximately 7,500 light-years away. This intriguing separation highlights the optical illusion of their proximity and adds a layer of complexity to their celestial beauty.

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