Sunny Priyan
This scintillating image showcases the globular cluster NGC 6540 in the constellation Sagittarius.
A globular cluster is a tightly bound group of stars, containing tens of thousands to millions, held together by mutual gravitational attraction
The brightest stars in this Hubble image display cross-shaped diffraction spikes, caused by light reflecting off the telescope’s structure.
Hubble peered into the heart of NGC 6540 to help astronomers measure the ages, shapes, and structures of globular clusters toward the center of the Milky Way.
The gas and dust shrouding the center of our galaxy block some of the light from these clusters, as well as subtly changing the colors of their stars.
Globular clusters contain insights into the earliest history of the Milky Way, and studying them can help astronomers understand how our galaxy has evolved.