M34 - NGC 1039

Messier 34 (NGC 1039) is a bright and relatively nearby open cluster in the constellation Perseus, located approximately 1,500 light-years from Earth. The cluster contains roughly 100 stars spread across a diameter of about 14 light-years and shines at a combined apparent magnitude of about 5.5, making it visible to the naked eye under good conditions as a faint hazy spot. M34 is estimated to be around 200 to 250 million years old, an intermediate age that gives the cluster an interesting mix of blue-white main-sequence stars and a handful of yellow and orange giants that have begun to evolve. The cluster was first discovered by Giovanni Battista Hodierna before 1654 and was independently cataloged by Messier in 1764. M34 spans about 35 arcminutes in apparent diameter, slightly larger than the full Moon, making it a fine target for binoculars and wide-field telescopes at low magnification. Higher power tends to lose the sense of the cluster against the stellar background. Through binoculars, about 20 stars are visible in a loose but recognizable grouping, while a small telescope reveals chains and rows of stars with attractive double and multiple star systems sprinkled throughout. The cluster's most notable visual feature is the pattern of its brightest stars, which form an X or cross-like shape that some observers find distinctive. M34 is conveniently located between the bright stars Algol (Beta Persei) and Almach (Gamma Andromedae), making it easy to find. It is a pleasant autumn and winter target for Northern Hemisphere observers.

Contains about 100 stars within 14 light-years diameter at a distance of 1,500 light-years, spanning 35 arcminutes with an age of 200 to 250 million years.