By ESA/Hubble
August 15, 2022
Hubble Space Telescope image showcasing the globular cluster NGC 6540 in the constellation Sagittarius. Credit: ESA/Hubble & & NASA, R. Cohen
This scintillating image, which was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescopes Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys, showcases the globular cluster NGC 6540 in the constellation Sagittarius. These two instruments each have somewhat various field of visions– which identifies how large an area of sky each instrument catches at one time. This composite image reveals the star-studded location of sky that was caught in both instruments field of view.
NGC 6540 is a globular cluster, which is a stable, firmly bound multitude of stars. The populations of these clusters can range from 10s of thousands to millions of stars, all of which are trapped in a closely-packed group by their mutual gravitational tourist attraction.
Prominent cross-shaped patterns of light referred to as diffraction spikes embellish the brightest stars in this image. These huge embellishments are a type of imaging artifact. This indicates that they are triggered by the structure of Hubble instead of the stars themselves. The path taken by the starlight as it gets in the telescope is somewhat disturbed by its internal structure, which triggers brilliant challenge be surrounded by spikes of light.
Hubble peered into the heart of NGC 6540 to assist astronomers in determining the ages, shapes, and structures of globular clusters towards the center of the Milky Way. The gas and dust shrouding the center of our galaxy obstruct a few of the light from these clusters, along with subtly changing the colors of their stars. Globular clusters include insights into the earliest history of the Milky Way, therefore studying them can assist astronomers comprehend how our galaxy has progressed.
Hubble peered into the heart of NGC 6540 to help astronomers in measuring the ages, shapes, and structures of globular clusters towards the center of the Milky Way. The gas and dust shrouding the center of our galaxy block some of the light from these clusters, as well as discreetly altering the colors of their stars. Globular clusters contain insights into the earliest history of the Milky Way, and so studying them can help astronomers comprehend how our galaxy has evolved.