α Per (Mirfak): The brightest star of this constellation is also called Algenib (a name which is used for other stars as well, e. g. γ Peg). Mirfak (Arabic for elbow) is a supergiant of spectral type F5 Ib with an apparent brightness of 1.79m lying at a distance of ca. 590 light-years. Its luminosity is 5,000 times and its diameter is 62 times that of our Sun.
Algol (β Per): This may not be the brightest star of this constellation, but it definitely is its most famous star. Algol (from Arabic al-Ghul, which means The Ghoul or The Demon Star) represents the eye of the gorgon Medusa. This star is the prototype of a whole group of eclipsing variable stars. Its apparent brightness ranges between 2.12m and 3.39m with a period of merely 2.867 days. It is of spectral type B8 V and lies at a distance of only 93 ly.
h+χ Per: These two open clusters (NGC 869 and NGC 884 respectively) belong to the most beautiful objects of the night sky for binoculars and small telescopes. Both lie at distances of more than 7,000 ly and are separated by several hundred light-years.
M34: This open cluster with an apparent brightness of 5.5m lies at a distance of approximately 1,400 ly and consists of about 100 stars that are scattered over an area larger than that of the full moon. Its true diameter is about 14 ly. M 34 can be resolved even with good binoculars but is best viewed using a telescope at low magnifications.
M76: This planetary nebula is also called Little Dumbbell Nebula. It measures about 65 arc seconds and has an apparent brightness of 10.1m.
NGC 1499: Also called California Nebula this emission nebula, discovered in 1884-85 by the American astronomer Edward E. Barnard, is a great target for astrophotographers. Due to its low surface brightness it's a very difficult object when observed visually.
NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula and the location of star formation.
Graphic visualization
Diagram of an alternate way to connect the stars of the Perseus constellation.
The stars of the constellation Perseus can be connected in an alternative way.
Perseus' body is formed by the stars beta Persei, kappa Persei, iota Persei, alpha Persei, sigma Persei, nu Persei, and epsilon Persei. Alpha Persei and beta Persei are of the second magnitude, and are also called Mirfak and Algol respectively. Star epsilon Persei is of the third magnitude.
The stars alpha Persei, gamma Persei, tau Persei, and iota Persei form Perseus' head: gamma Persei is of the third magnitude. Stars gamma Persei, eta Persei, and tau Persei form Perseus' cap.
The stars alpha Persei, psi Persei, delta Persei, 48 Persei, mu Persei, and lambda Persei form Perseus' left arm and hand: delta Persei being of the third magnitude.
The stars iota Persei, theta Persei, and phi Persei form the right arm and hand. Perseus' right hand, phi Persei, is yanking at one of Andromeda's feet (51 Andromedae), intent on liberating her. (After liberating her, he marries her.)
:* Misam (χ Per, NGC 884) – actually an open cluster
:* Misam (h Per, NGC 869) – actually an open cluster
Stars with Bayer designations:
: 23/γ Per – double 2.91, 3.0 ; 39/δ Per 3.01; 45/ε Per 2.90; 13/θ Per 4.10; ι Per 4.05 – nearby; 47/λ Per 4.25; 51/μ Per 4.12; 41/ν Per 3.77; 35/σ Per 4.36; 18/τ Per 3.93, 4.0 ; υ Per, see 51 And; φ Per 4.01; 37/ψ Per 4.32; b Per 4.60; b2 Per 5.55; 48/c Per 3.96; 53/d Per 4.80; 58/e Per 4.25; 52/f Per 4.67; 4/g Per 4.99; 9/i Per 5.16; k Per 4.77; 32/l Per 4.96; 57/m Per 6.09; 42/n Per 5.14; 40/o Per 4.97; 43/A Per 5.28
Stars with Flamsteed designations:
: 1 Per 5.53; 2 Per 5.70; 3 Per 5.70; 5 Per 6.38; 6 Per 5.31; 8 Per 5.75; 10 Per 6.25; 11 Per 5.76; 12 Per 4.91; 14 Per 5.43; 16 Per 4.22; 17 Per 4.56; 20 Per 5.34; 21 Per 5.10; 24 Per 4.94; 29 Per 5.16; 30 Per 5.49; 31 Per 5.05; 34 Per 4.67; 36 Per 5.30; 49 Per 6.07; 50 Per 5.52; 54 Per 4.93; 55 Per 5.73; 56 Per 5.77; 59 Per 5.30
