Messier 34 is a large open cluster in the constellation of Perseus.

M34 is located 5 degrees west of Algol (beta Persei). Shining at magnitude 5.2 with an apparent size of 25 arcminutes, it can be seen with the unaided eye from a dark-sky observing site.

The cluster lies 1,800 light-years from us and is 15 light-years in diameter in space and contains 100 members. M34 is believed to be 180 million years old, and may have formed with the Pleiades and Melotte 20, the Alpha Persei cluster.

M34 was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna sometime before 1654, and rediscovered independently by Charles Messier on August 25, 1764.

North is to the top in the above image.

Messier 34 Catalogs: M34, NGC 1039 Common Name: Spiral Cluster Object Type: Open Cluster Magnitude: 5.2v Size: 25' Constellation: Perseus Image Field Centered At: RA: 02h 42m 07s Dec: +42° 46' 03"