A stunning new image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals a star cluster known as N11, located within the expansive Magellanic Cloud.
This Hubble image depicts star cluster N11. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/C. Murray/J. Maíz Apellániz.
“This scene is part of the large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy situated approximately 160,000 light years from the constellations Dorado and Mensa,” the Hubble astronomer stated.
“With a mass equivalent to 10-20% of that of the Milky Way, the large Magellanic Cloud is the most substantial of the numerous small galaxies orbiting our galaxy.”
“These large Magellanic Clouds host various significant stellar nursery regions where gas clouds, like those portrayed in this image, converge to form new stars.”
This latest Hubble image illustrates a segment of N11, the second-largest star-forming region within the large Magellanic Cloud.
“The Tarantula Nebula, which ranks as the largest and most active star-forming region in the large Magellanic Clouds, is a frequent target for Hubble,” the astronomer noted.
“We observe bright young stars illuminating gas clouds and sculpting masses of dust using their powerful ultraviolet rays.”
“This image represents observations spaced about 20 years apart, highlighting Hubble’s enduring legacy,” they added.
“The initial observations took place between 2002 and 2003 and provided exceptional sensitivity and resolution with the new technology at the time, the Advanced Camera for Surveys.
“We directed Hubble towards the N11 Star Cluster and accomplished something unprecedented: cataloging all the stars in our young cluster, from those with 10% to 100 times the mass of the Sun.”
“The subsequent observations utilized Hubble’s latest instruments, specifically the Wide Field Camera 3.
“These new images emphasized the cluster-filled dusty clouds, offering a fresh perspective on cosmic dust.”
Source: www.sci.news
