A Globular Star Cluster Collection

A Globular Star Cluster Collection

This collage shows a range of globular clusters that were studied using the Hubble Space Telescope and the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla Observatory in Chile. The data show that, despite all forming at roughly the same time, the clusters have aged at dramatically different rates with heavier stars sinking to the centers of the clusters in a process similar to sedimentation.

Top row: Messier 4 (ESO), Omega Centauri (ESO), Messier 80 (Hubble)

Middle row: Messier 53 (Hubble), NGC 6752 (Hubble), Messier 13 (Hubble)
Bottom row: Messier 4 (Hubble), NGC 288 (Hubble), 47 Tucanae (Hubble)

Image Credits:
M 4: European Southern Observatory
Omega Cen: ESO/INAF-VST/OmegaCAM
M 80: The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI/NASA/ESA)
M 53: ESA/Hubble & NASA
NGC 6752: ESA/Hubble & NASA
M 13: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
M 4: ESA/Hubble & NASA
NGC 288: ESA/Hubble & NASA
47 Tucanae: NASA, ESA, and G. Meylan (École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne)

Release Date: Dec. 19, 2012

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