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

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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