Photo Agency - Astronomy - Space - Nature

> Stars in globular cluster NGC 6752

Stars in globular cluster NGC 6752

author: Nasa/Esa/Novapix

reference: a-agb67-52002

Image Size 300 DPI: 21 * 15 cm

NGC 6752 is a globular cluster, and at over 10 billion years old is one the most ancient collections of stars known. It has been blazing for well over twice as long long as our Solar System has existed. NGC 6752 contains a high number of “blue straggler†stars, some of which are visible in this image. These stars display characteristics of stars younger than their neighbours, despite models suggesting that most of the stars within globular clusters should have formed at approximately the same time. Their origin is therefore something of a mystery. Studies of NGC 6752 may shed light on this situation. It appears that a very high number — up to 38% — of the stars within its core region are binary systems. Collisions between stars in this turbulent area could produce the blue stragglers that are so prevalent. Lying 13 000 light-years distant in Pavo constellation, NGC 6752 is far beyond our reach, yet the clarity of Hubble’s images brings it tantalisingly close.

Keywords for this photo:

2012 - ASTRONOMY - BLUE STRAGGLERS - GLOBULAR CLUSTER - HST - HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - NGC 6752 - PAVO - STAR - STAR CLUSTER - TWINKLING -