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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri
NASA ^ | May 29, 2014 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 05/29/2014 4:13:47 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Globular star cluster Omega Centauri, also known as NGC 5139, is some 15,000 light-years away. The cluster is packed with about 10 million stars much older than the Sun within a volume about 150 light-years in diameter, the largest and brightest of 200 or so known globular clusters that roam the halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Though most star clusters consist of stars with the same age and composition, the enigmatic Omega Cen exhibits the presence of different stellar populations with a spread of ages and chemical abundances. In fact, Omega Cen may be the remnant core of a small galaxy merging with the Milky Way. This astronomically sharp color image of the classic globular cluster was recorded in March under Chilean skies from Hacienda Los Andes.

May 29, 2014

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; gc5139; globularcluster; ngc5139; omegacentauri; science
[Credit & Copyright: CEDIC Team, Processing - Christoph Kaltseis]

1 posted on 05/29/2014 4:13:47 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; dayglored; ...
Hey now.
The Big One

2 posted on 05/29/2014 4:14:29 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

Looking at The Big One, I can see a lot of blue stars. Blue is my favorite color, so The Big One is really pretty.


3 posted on 05/29/2014 4:42:59 PM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: SunkenCiv

“Under Chilean skies”

Well, put on a coat for goodness sakes. It gets cold at night. These astronomers can look for black holes, but they can’t go in and put on a coat.


4 posted on 05/29/2014 5:40:23 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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