Astronomers use open clusters of stars as a tool to study the universe, as they are groups of stars that formed at the same time. This allows them to compare different types of stars based on their size, composition, and age. The Pleiades cluster is one example of an open cluster close to Earth.
However, astronomers also look at more distant clusters like NGC 460 and NGC 456 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. These clusters can provide valuable insights into how stars evolve over time.
NASA has recently shared stunning side-by-side views of these clusters taken with the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope. The combined images show distinct features, such as glowing ionized gas and delicate filamentary structures of dust.
The images were created from 12 overlapping observations and offer a unique view of these distant star clusters. By studying these clusters, astronomers can gain a better understanding of the universe’s history and evolution.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07/tuesday-telescope-a-stellar-duo-stars-in-a-nearby-galaxy