January 1, 2013
You were born on a tiny world orbiting an ordinary star in an unremarkable galaxy — and yet, the fact that you exist at all is the most...
A Double Star Cluster
Birthday · January 1, 2013
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
Free PNG · 1080 × 1350 · No account needed
Image rights and credit requirements apply when sharing or reusing imagery.
Date & occasion only
Change the year
APOD published January 1, 2013. Credit: F. Antonucci, M. Angelini, & F. Tagliani, ADARA Astrobrallo. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Few star clusters are seen to be so close to each other. Some 7,000 light-years away, though, this pair of open or galactic star clusters is an easy binocular target, a lovely starfield in the northern constellation Perseus. Also visible to the unaided eye from dark sky areas, it was cataloged in 130 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus. Now known as h and chi Persei, or NGC 869 (above right) and NGC 884, the clusters themselves are separated by only a few hundred light-years and contain stars much younger and hotter than the Sun. In addition to being physically close together, the clusters' ages based on their individual stars are similar - evidence that both clusters were likely a product of the same star-forming region. APOD Editors to Speak: RJN in Philadelphia on Jan. 3 & JTB in New York City on Jan. 4
Image credit: F. Antonucci, M. Angelini, & F. Tagliani, ADARA Astrobrallo