                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2025 August 7

                        The Double Cluster in Perseus
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Ron Brecher

   Explanation: This stunning 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 (right) 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 both clusters were likely a product of the same
   star-forming region. Always a rewarding sight in binoculars or small
   telescopes, the Double Cluster is even visible to the unaided eye from
   dark locations.

                    Tomorrow's picture: Dawn of the Crab
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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