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Show the direction and distance to this star cluster on the Galactic Map.

Proper Name	None
Bayer Designation	h Persei
Caldwell Number	Part of C14, the Double Cluster
NGC/IC Number	NGC 869
Other Designations	Collinder 24, Melotte 13
Constellation	Perseus
Right Ascension	2h 19m 0s
Declination	+57° 7' 42"
Distance	c.7,200 light years c.2,200 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +5.30 Absolute: -6.29
Diameter	Apparent: 18' Actual: 36 light years
Number of Stars	c. 4,500
Optimum Visibility	November (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
Notes	h Persei and Chi Persei together make up the pair of rich open star clusters known collectively as the Double Cluster. h Persei is the closer of the two clusters, which in fact lie some three hundred light years apart, but fall on a close line of sight as seen from Earth.

h Persei or NGC 869 is one of two open clusters that appear close together in the sky, together forming the Double Cluster or Sword Handle in Perseus. h Persei is the western of the two clusters, with the other being Chi Persei or NGC 884. The stars on the western edge of Chi Persei are visible in the extreme left of this image (and the full cluster can be seen by zooming out slightly). Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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