The European Space Agency (ESA) has released new images of the star cluster M72, a globular cluster located 50,000 light-years from Earth. The revisit features the latest Hubble data and advanced processing techniques. This ancient group of stars is part of Messier’s collection, discovered by French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1780.
The updated image showcases striking color variations among the stars, resulting from new ultraviolet observations combined with previous visible-light data. The colors indicate distinct types of stars, including blue and red giants. Studying these groups helps astronomers understand how globular clusters formed and their parent galaxies evolved.
M72 is one of 150 known globular clusters associated with the Milky Way galaxy. Its remote location in the constellation Aquarius makes it a fascinating target for studying the early formation of our galaxy. The ESA’s Hubble images offer a unique glimpse into the past, allowing scientists to unravel the mysteries of this ancient celestial body.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/hubble-visits-glittering-cluster-capturing-its-ultraviolet-light