Extreme star cluster bursts into life in new Hubble image — High Resolution Galaxy Images

Extreme star cluster bursts into life in new Hubble image — High Resolution Galaxy Images

Zoomable Large JPEG 8.9 MB 2048x1536 1920x1200 1600x1200

About the Object

• Name: NGC 3603
• Type: Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Open
• Distance: 20000 light years
• Constellation: Carina
• Category: Nebulae Star Clusters

The star-forming region NGC 3603 - seen here in the latest Hubble Space Telescope image - contains one of the most impressive massive young star clusters in the Milky Way. Bathed in gas and dust the cluster formed in a huge rush of star formation thought to have occurred around a million years ago. The hot blue stars at the core are responsible for carving out a huge cavity in the gas seen to the right of the star cluster in NGC 3603's centre.

Credit:
NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration