New Hubble image of star cluster Messier 15
This cluster of stars is known as Messier 15, and is located some 35 000 light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). It is one of the oldest globular clusters known, with an age of around 12 billion years.
Both very hot blue stars and cooler golden stars can be seen swarming together in the image, becoming more concentrated towards the cluster's bright centre. Messier 15 is one of the densest globular clusters known, with most of its mass concentrated at its core. As well as stars, Messier 15 was the first cluster known to host a planetary nebula, and it has been found to have a rare type of black hole at its centre.
This new image is made up of observations from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys in the ultraviolet, infrared, and optical parts of the spectrum.
Credit:NASA, ESA
About the Image
Id: | heic1321a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 14 November 2013, 16:00 |
Related releases: | heic1321 |
Related science announcements: | sci17006 |
Size: | 3749 x 4028 px |
About the Object
Name: | M 15, Messier 15 |
Type: | Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular |
Distance: | 35000 light years |
Constellation: | Pegasus |
Category: | Star Clusters |
Image Formats
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 21 29 58.09 |
Position (Dec): | 12° 10' 1.62" |
Field of view: | 2.48 x 2.66 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 46.7° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Ultraviolet UV | 275 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Ultraviolet U | 336 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical B | 438 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical V | 606 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |