The globular cluster NGC 6388, observed by Hubble

This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows NGC 6388, a dynamically middle-aged globular cluster in the Milky Way. While the cluster formed in the distant past (like all globular clusters, it is over ten billion years old), a study of the distribution of bright blue stars within the cluster shows that it has aged at a moderate speed, and its heaviest stars are in the process of migrating to the centre.

A new study using Hubble data has discovered that globular clusters of the same age can have dramatically different distributions of blue straggler stars within them, suggesting that clusters can age at substantially different rates.

Credit:

NASA, ESA, F. Ferraro (University of Bologna)

About the Image

Id:heic1221a
Type:Observation
Release date:19 December 2012, 19:00
Related releases:heic1221
Size:4278 x 4197 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 6388
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Distance:35000 light years
Constellation:Scorpius
Category:Star Clusters

Image Formats

r.titleLarge JPEG
11.7 MB
r.titleScreensize JPEG
830.2 KB

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Wallpapers

r.title1024x768
671.9 KB
r.title1280x1024
1.1 MB
r.title1600x1200
1.6 MB
r.title1920x1200
1.9 MB
r.title2048x1536
2.0 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):17 36 17.09
Position (Dec):-44° 44' 7.45"
Field of view:3.56 x 3.49 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 10.4° right of vertical


Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
435 nm Hubble Space Telescope
ACS
Optical
V
606 nm Hubble Space Telescope
ACS
Optical
R
814 nm Hubble Space Telescope
ACS

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