NGC 1275
The Perseus Cluster ~ Thousands of Galaxies!
Optics:   Ritchey–Chrétien 20" F/8.2 (4166mm FL) Processing:   PixInsight, Photoshop
Camera:   SBIG STXL-11000 with Adaptive Optics Date:   September 2022
11 Megapixel (4008 x 2672 16-bit sensor) Location:   Columbus, Texas
Exposure:   LRGB = 470:80:70:90 minutes Imager:   Kent E. Biggs
The Perseus Cluster is a cluster of galaxies located in the direction of the constellation Perseus, the mythological Greek hero who slew Medusa the Gorgon. The Perseus Cluster is one of the universe’s most massive objects, containing literally thousands of galaxies each with billions of stars. Cataloged as Abell 426 in the Abell catalogue by George Abell in 1958, it is one of over 4000 clusters of galaxies with at least 30 member galaxies! In fact, according to data obtained in the last couple decades by NASA and JAXA (Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency), this cluster of galaxies contains the equivalent mass of over 660 trillion suns, spanning 11.6 million light-years, and at a distance of 240 million light years. Light left this cluster around the time of the first dinosaur appearing in our fossil record!
NGC M20
The Perseus Cluster - Zoomed In