 | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
Media Centre Press ReleasesESA TelevisionLaunch Media CornerExhibitionsServices CalendarPublicationsFrequently asked questionsESA-sponsored ConferencesHelpSite CreditsPortal terms of useCommentsSubscribe
| | | | | | | Hubble sees multiple star generations in a globular cluster
2 May 2007
| | This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of a dense swarm of stars shows the central region of the globular cluster NGC 2808. Of the 150 known globular clusters in the Milky Way, NGC 2808 is one of the largest.
Astronomers used Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys to measure the brightness and colour of the cluster stars. Its resolution allowed them to sort out the different stellar populations.
The Hubble measurements showed three distinct populations, with each successive generation appearing slightly bluer. This colour difference suggests that successive generations contain different amounts of helium.
All the stars in NGC 2808 were born within 200 million years very early in the life of the 12.5-billion-year-old massive cluster. This is contrary to conventional ideas that propose that all the stars in a globular cluster originate from the same time and from the same material.
The images were taken in May 2005 and in August and November 2006.
Credits: NASA, ESA, G. Piotto (University of Padua) and A. Sarajedini (University of Florida) | |  |  | |
| | | | | The Hubble Space Telescope videos has been used to study a dense swarm of stars known as the globular cluster NGC 2808. Of the 150 known globular clusters in the Milky Way, NGC 2808 is one of the largest. The measurements with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys showed three distinct populations of stars in the cluster, contrary to contemporary ideas.
Credits: A. Fujii, Digitized Sky Survey 2, D. Verschatse, Observatorio Antilhue, Chile, ESA/Hubble (M. Kornmesser & L. L. Christensen) | | | | |
| | | | | The globular cluster NGC 2808 as seen in the Digitized Sky Survey 2. The image is a colour composite from Digitised Sky Survey 2 images.
Credits: Davide De Martin (ESA/Hubble), the ESA/ESO/NASA Photoshop FITS Liberator & Digitized Sky Survey 2 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | The Hubble Space Telescope videos has been used to study a dense swarm of stars known as the globular cluster NGC 2808. Of the 150 known globular clusters in the Milky Way, NGC 2808 is one of the largest. The measurements with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys showed three distinct populations of stars in the cluster, contrary to contemporary ideas.
Credits: ESA/Hubble (M. Kornmesser & L. L. Christensen) | | | | |
| | | | | The Hubble Space Telescope videos has been used to study a dense swarm of stars known as the globular cluster NGC 2808. Of the 150 known globular clusters in the Milky Way, NGC 2808 is one of the largest. The measurements with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys showed three distinct populations of stars in the cluster, contrary to contemporary ideas.
Credits: ESA/Hubble (M. Kornmesser & L. L. Christensen) | | | | |
| |
| | More about... Hubble overview Hubblecast Related articles Hubble sees dark matter ring in a galaxy cluster Hubble rescue storySpectacular star birth pictures on Hubble’s 17th birthdayHubble’s view of barred spiral galaxy NGC 1672Hubble sees ‘Comet Galaxy’ being ripped apart by galaxy clusterThe colourful demise of a Sun-like starNew stars shed light on the pastFirst 3D map of the Universe’s dark matter scaffolding Unfolding the Universe’s Dark MatterLatest views of the V838 Monocerotis light echo from HubbleHubble yields direct proof of stellar sorting in a globular clusterAntennae galaxies’ fertile marriageFlies in a spider’s web: galaxy caught in the makingRelated Links Hubble European Information CentreHubblecast at the Hubble ESA Information CentreThis story at the Hubble European Information CentreThis story at the HubbleSiteScientific paper
|
HI-RES JPEG (Size: 
HI-RES TIFF (Size: 
HI-RES JPEG (Size: 
HI-RES JPEG (Size: