Stars in globular cluster NGC 6397

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Stars in globular cluster NGC 6397

Stars in globular star cluster NGC 6397, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image. The stars in globular star clusters are densely packed. Here, the core of NGC 6397 has stars only a few light weeks apart compared to the 4 light years that separates the Sun from its nearest neighbour. The stars are so crowded that collisions occur every few million years. Direct collisions produce the hot bright blue straggler stars seen among the old yellow stars. NGC 6397 is around 8200 light years away in the constellation Ara. The area seen is around 3.8 light years across

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Media ID 6444823

© NASA/ESA/STSCI/HUBBLE HERITAGE TEAM/ SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Closest Collision Collisions Core Cosmology Dense Globular Hubble Star Cluster Stars Stellar Universe Wfpc2 Yellow Collided Nearest

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the mesmerizing beauty of the stars in globular cluster NGC 6397, as captured by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Within this dense star cluster, the stars are tightly packed together, with their proximity to one another measured in mere light weeks. To put it into perspective, this is a stark contrast to the vast distance of 4 light years that separates our Sun from its closest neighbor. The crowded nature of NGC 6397's core leads to occasional collisions between these celestial bodies every few million years. These collisions give rise to the striking blue straggler stars that stand out amidst the sea of old yellow stars. The direct impact and subsequent fusion processes generate intense heat and brightness within these unique stellar anomalies. Located approximately 8200 light years away in the constellation Ara, NGC 6397 spans an area roughly equivalent to 3.8 light years across. This awe-inspiring image not only provides insight into our universe's intricate cosmology but also serves as a testament to humanity's ability to explore and comprehend such distant phenomena. With its wealth of scientific information and visual allure, this photograph represents a remarkable contribution from Science Photo Library – offering us a glimpse into the wonders of space through their collaboration with HST's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2).

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