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!
The Perseus Cluster - Zoomed In
