Astronomy Picture of the Day 1-07-03

NASA ^ | 1-07-03 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2003 January 7

Open Star Cluster M38
Credit & Copyright: NOAO, AURA, NSF

Explanation: Open cluster M38 can be seen with binoculars toward the constellation of Auriga. M38 is considered an intermediately rich open cluster of stars, each of which is about 200 million years old. Located in the disk of our Milky Way galaxy, M38 is still young enough to house many bright blue stars, although it's brightest star is a yellow giant shining 900 times brighter than our Sun. The cluster spans roughly 25 light-years and lies about 4000 light-years away. M38, pictured above, is found only about 2.5 degrees northwest of open cluster M36. Loosely bound by gravity, open clusters spread out over time as they orbit the galactic center and their member stars slowly escape.

[petuniasevan]

The Milky Way itself seems to be surrounded by a ring of stars; perhaps they are a result of a galactic collision.

Here's the thread for the story:

Milky Way's Star 'Doughnut'

[petuniasevan]

[petuniasevan]

Another interesting thread:

Astronomers spot new planet

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping (-:

[MeekOneGOP]

And thanks for linking my article on #3 !

[BossyRoofer]

Great picture. HST is giveing the best pictures ever. Thanks for all the hard work. APOD The best site!