Messier 34 (also known as M 34 or NGC 1039) is an w:open cluster in the w:constellation Perseus. It was discovered by w:Giovanni Batista Hodierna before w:1654 and included by w:Charles Messier in his catalog of w:comet-like objects in w:1764.

Messier 34
w:2MASS image of M34
(taken in w:infrared band; falsecolor)
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
ConstellationPerseus
Right ascension02h 42.1m[1]
Declination+42° 46′[1]
Distance1.4 kly[citation needed] (0.4 kPc)
Apparent magnitude (V)5.5[citation needed]
Apparent dimensions (V)35.0′[citation needed]
Other designationsNGC 1039[1]

M34 is at a distance of about 1,400 w:light-years away from w:Earth and consists of some 100 w:stars. It spans about 35' on the sky which translates to a true radius of 7 w:light years. The cluster is just visible to the naked eye in very dark conditions, well away from city lights. It is well seen in w:binoculars.

External links

References

  1. a b c "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for Messier 34. Retrieved 2006-12-08.