Messier 34

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Messier 34
Open cluster List of open clusters

2MASS image of M34
(taken in infrared band; falsecolor)

Observation data
(Epoch J2000.0)
Class I,3,m
Constellation Perseus
Right ascension 02h 42.1m[1]
Declination +42° 46′[1]
Distance 1.4 kly[citation needed] (0.4 kPc)
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.5[citation needed]
Apparent dimensions (V) 35.0′[citation needed]
Physical characteristics
Mass (- M)
Radius 7 ly[citation needed]
VHB -
Estimated age 180 million years[citation needed]
Notable features
Other designations NGC 1039[1]


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

M34 is at a distance of about 1,400 light-years away from Earth and consists of some 100 stars. It spans about 35' on the sky which translates to a true radius of 7 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 binoculars.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

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