NGC 869 + NGC 884 (Open cluster)
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Also known as: Double Cluster
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Right ascension: 2h 21m
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Declination: 57° 12'
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Constellation: Perseus
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Date/time: 2009.07.26 1:30 UT
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Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
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FoV: 1°
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Magnification and filter(s): 45x
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Seeing: 7/10
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Transparency: 3/5
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Location: Jászszentlászló, Hungary
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Observer: Ferenc Lovró
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Description:
This observation and sketch was made on an early dawn hour in the Kiskun Astro Camp near the village of Jászszentlászló, Hungary. As the Sun was already approaching the southern horizon, the NELM was getting worse at a high rate. Therefore I've decided to sketch something easy that's made of many bright stars. Out of a sudden I've picked the famous Double Cluster, which turned out to be a paint to sketch with their plenty of bright stars. So, I was racing with the Sun, as the Venus was already high above the horizon. Under country skies, this pair of open clusters can be seen to the naked eye as a small fuzzy spot near the easily recognizable W-shape of the constellation Cassiopeia. It's one of the most remarkable objects of the Northern Hemisphere, so I can't really imagine why it was not included in the famous catalogue of Messier. From my home country it is a circumpolar object, so it can be seen through the entire year. It's so easy, that it cen be resolved with the smallest telescopes or binoculars, therefore an great catch for everyone. SQM reading: 20.91 m/arcsec^2, 9°C.
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Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]
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