M52 and NGC 869

Messier 52

The Messier catalog is full of star clusters and M52 is a good example.  It was a chance discovery by Messier in September of 1774 when he was busy chasing down a comet.  One of the curiosities of this particular cluster is that astronomers only have a very general idea of its distance and age.  They estimate between 3,000 and 7,000 light years away and between 25 million and 165 million years old.  For a typically precise science, these are incredibly imprecise ranges.  Nice to know the professionals don't know everything!

Photo Details
Messier 52 - Open Cluster in Cassiopeia
November 3, 2013
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
Nikon D3100 Camera - ISO 1600
48 sub frames at 25"/frame
Total Exposure Time = 20 minutes
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in Fitswork

NGC 869 - Double Cluster in Perseus

This is my first astrophoto outside of the Messier list.  That, in itself, isn't anything special.  It's just such a beautiful sight, I couldn't pass it up on a gorgeously clear night.  This double cluster is an amazing sight through the eyepiece of most any telescope, and becomes even more beautiful under long exposure photography.  These cluster of starts are about 7,500 light years away and are relatively young at 12.8 million years.  There are more than 300 blue-white super-giant stars in each of the clusters.  I am also struck by the orange colored stars in these photos that provide such a nice contrast.  This cluster is featured in Greek mythology as it represents the jeweled handle of Perseus' sword which happens to be the sword that beheaded Medusa when Perseus was challenged by the gods to slay one of the Gorgons.  

Photo Details
NGC 869 - Double Cluster in Perseus
November 3, 2013
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
Nikon D3100 Camera - ISO 1600
76 sub frames at 25"/frame
Total Exposure Time = 31 minutes 40 seconds
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in Fitswork