NGC 869 and NGC 884 (Infrared)

h Persei and χ Persei - The Double Cluster

Credit: neoWISE/Giuseppe Donatiello

RA 2h 20m Dec 57° 08′

The Double Cluster (also Caldwell 14) is the common name for the naked-eye open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884 (designated h Persei and χ Persei, respectively), which are in Perseus.

NGC 869 and NGC 884 both lie at a distance of 7500 light years. Based on their individual stars, the clusters are relatively young, both 12.8 million years old.