1 min read
Trio of Images of the Arches Cluster
These images of the Arches cluster, taken by three different telescopes, reveal progressively more detail in the tightly packed collection of about 2,000 stars. The Arches is the densest star cluster in our Milky Way Galaxy and resides in our galaxy's crowded core.
Astronomers used the image at right, taken with Hubble's Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer, to determine if stars in the cluster have a weight limit at birth. Hubble's infrared camera is well suited to analyze the cluster because it penetrates the dusty core of our galaxy and produces sharp images, allowing the telescope to see individual stars in a tightly packed grouping.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.17h 45m 50.5s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-28° 49' 27.99"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Sagittarius
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.25,000 light-years away (8,000 parsecs)
About the Data
- Data DescriptionData DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.These data are from the HST program 7364: D. Figer (STScI) - InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.Lick>3m (left), Keck I>10m ( right), HST>NICMOS (right)
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.1994 (Lick, left), 1996 (Keck, right), September 13-14, 1997, Exposure Time: 1.2 hours (HST, right)
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.Arches Cluster
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Star Cluster
- Release DateMarch 9, 2005
- Science ReleaseHubble Weighs in on the Heaviest Stars in the Galaxy
- Credits
Related Images & Videos
Artist's Concept of the Arches Cluster
This artist's impression shows how the Arches star cluster appears from deep inside the hub of our Milky Way Galaxy. Although hidden from our direct view, the massive cluster lies 25,000 light-years away and is the densest known gathering of young stars in our galaxy. The...
A Comparison of Star Sizes
This illustration compares the different masses of stars. The lightest-weight stars are red dwarfs. They can be as small as one-twelfth the mass of our Sun. The heaviest-weight stars are blue-white super giants. They may get as large as 150 solar masses. Our Sun is between the...
Share
Details
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
