NGC 3603: An Active Star Cluster
Explanation:
NGC 3603 is home to a massive star cluster, thick dust pillars,
and
a star about to explode.
The central
open cluster contains
about 2000 bright stars, each of which is much brighter
and more massive than
our Sun.
Together,
radiations from
these stars are
energizing and pushing away surrounding material, making
NGC 3603 one of the most interesting
HII regions known.
NGC 3603 is about 20,000 light-years away, and the
region shown is about 20
light-years across.
Possibly most interesting about this recently released, representative-color
picture are the large number of dim stars visible.
These stars are less massive than our Sun, demonstrating
that great numbers of low-mass stars also form in
active starburst regions.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
