Discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654.
M34 is a bright open cluster of stars in the constellation of Perseus. The estimated distance to the cluster is approximately 1,400 light years. The cluster is easily visible with the aid of binoculars and is readily resolved even in small amateur telescopes. The cluster’s visual diameter is a little larger than that of the full Moon. This equates to a diameter of about 15 light years. The age of the cluster has been estimated at about 190 million years. This places the cluster in the intermediate age group.
1http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m034.html