Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri

Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri


2019 August 24
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will downloadthe highest resolution version available.

Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri
Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Miller, Jimmy Walker

Explanation: Globular star cluster Omega Centauri, also known as NGC 5139, is some 15,000 light-years away. The cluster is packed with about 10 million stars much older than the Sun within a volume about 150 light-years in diameter. It's the largest and brightest of 200 or so known globular clusters that roam the halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Though most star clusters consist of stars with the same age and composition, the enigmatic Omega Cen exhibits the presence of different stellar populations with a spread of ages and chemical abundances. In fact, Omega Cen may be the remnant core of a small galaxy merging with the Milky Way.



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