Globular star cluster Omega
Centauri, also known as NGC 5139, is some 15,000 light-years away. The
cluster is packed with about 10 million stars much
older than the Sun within a volume about 150 light-years in diameter, the
largest and brightest of 200 or so known globular clusters that
roam the halo
of our Milky Way galaxy. Though most star clusters consist of stars with the
same age and composition, the enigmatic Omega Cen exhibits the presence of different stellar populations with a
spread of ages and chemical abundances. In fact, Omega Cen may
be the remnant core of a small galaxy merging with the Milky Way. This astronomically sharp color
image of the classic globular cluster was recorded in March under Chilean skies
from Hacienda Los Andes.
May 29, 2014
NGC 5139
Globular star cluster Omega
Centauri, also known as NGC 5139, is some 15,000 light-years away. The
cluster is packed with about 10 million stars much
older than the Sun within a volume about 150 light-years in diameter, the
largest and brightest of 200 or so known globular clusters that
roam the halo
of our Milky Way galaxy. Though most star clusters consist of stars with the
same age and composition, the enigmatic Omega Cen exhibits the presence of different stellar populations with a
spread of ages and chemical abundances. In fact, Omega Cen may
be the remnant core of a small galaxy merging with the Milky Way. This astronomically sharp color
image of the classic globular cluster was recorded in March under Chilean skies
from Hacienda Los Andes.
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