Spiral Cluster
- Pierre Moutounet-Cartan
- Dec 21, 2024
- 1 min read
About this object
Messier 34 is a relatively young star cluster in the Perseus constellation, with an estimated age of between 200 and 250 million years. The brightest star in M34 has a visual magnitude of 7.9. At least 19 stars in M34 are white dwarfs, stellar remnants with a mass about the same as the Sun and a size comparable to that of the Earth. Messier 34 is classified as Trumpler type I 3 m, which means that it is detached from the surrounding field and has a strong central concentration (I), it contains both bright and faint stars (3), and is medium rich, with 50 to 100 stars.
Designations
Standardized Catalogue
Messier 34
NGC 1039
PMC Observatory Catalogue
Observations
2024-12-21 at around 00:15 am (+00:00)
Location in the sky
Start with Algol (Beta Persei) in the constellation Perseus, which is easy to spot due to its periodic dimming. From Algol, move south-southeast toward Almach (Gamma Andromedae), the bright, double star in the southern part of the Andromeda constellation. Once you’ve located Almach, look between Algol and Almach, along an imaginary line that runs roughly in the middle. Messier 34 lies about 3.5 degrees from Almach, slightly to the northeast. Messier 34 will appear as a faint, loosely scattered group of stars. Use binoculars or a small telescope to make it easier to spot.
Photographs
Picture above taken with ASI585MC.
