· · · ·

Chi Persei

NGC 884, Collinder 25, Melotte 14
Part of the Double Cluster or Sword Handle, C14

Proper NameNone
Bayer DesignationChi Persei
Caldwell NumberPart of C14, the Double Cluster
NGC/IC NumberNGC 884
Other DesignationsCollinder 25, Melotte 14
ConstellationPerseus
Right Ascension2h 22m 23s
Declination+57° 7' 30"
Distancec. 6,950 light years
c. 2,130 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +6.09
Absolute: -6.25
DiameterApparent: 18'
Actual: 50 light years
Number of Starsc. 1,600
Optimum VisibilityNovember (usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesThe origin of the designation 'Chi Persei' for this object is somewhat obscure, but it does not seem to have been originally recognised as a star cluster (hence a Bayer designation that would typically belong to a star rather than cluster). To complicate matters further, the stellar designation 'Chi Persei' is also applied to a star some 30' northward of the cluster, but not in fact related to it.

Indexes

Related Entries