Star Cluster NGC 362 from Hubble
Explanation:
If our Sun were near the center of NGC 362, the
night sky would glow like a jewel box of bright stars.
Hundreds of stars would
glow
brighter than
Sirius,
and in many different colors.
Although these stars could become part of breathtaking
constellations and intricate folklore,
it would be difficult for planetary inhabitants there to see -- and hence understand
-- the
greater universe beyond.
NGC 362
is one of only about 170
globular clusters of stars that exist in our
Milky Way Galaxy.
This star cluster is one of the younger
globulars,
forming likely well after our Galaxy.
NGC 362
can be found with the unaided eye
nearly in front of the
Small Magellanic Cloud,
and angularly close to the second brightest globular cluster known,
47 Tucanae.
The
featured image
was taken with the
Hubble Space Telescope to help
better understand how massive stars end up
near the center of some globular clusters.
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.
