Astronomy Picture of the Day -- M7: Open Star Cluster in Scorpius

NASA ^ | September 12, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: M7 is one of the most prominent open clusters of stars on the sky. The cluster, dominated by bright blue stars, can be seen with the naked eye in a dark sky in the tail of the constellation of the Scorpion (Scorpius). M7 contains about 100 stars in total, is about 200 million years old, spans 25 light-years across, and lies about 1000 light-years away. The above deep exposure was taken from Hakos Farm in Namibia. The M7 star cluster has been known since ancient times, being noted by Ptolemy in the year 130 AD. Also visible are a dark dust cloud and literally millions of unrelated stars towards the Galactic center.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Dieter Willasch (Astro-Cabinet)]

[SunkenCiv]

This is less messy than some other, messier objects.

That joke just never wears out.

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[shibumi]

I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for your regular posting of these astronomy photos.

While I find almost all of your articles interesting, the wonders of the night sky are especially inspiring.

Where I live, we’re too close to the glow of the city (Chicago) to be able to see the sky in detail. I look forward to your postings and hope you continue them as long as possible.

Thanks again!

[One Name]

Psalms 8:4 KJV

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?:

Thanks!

[left that other site]

I REALLY like that one!

[SunkenCiv]

Thank you for the kind remarks!