M3: Half A Million Stars
Explanation:
This immense ball of half a million
stars older than the sun lies 30,000 light-years above
the plane of our Galaxy.
Cataloged as M3 (and
NGC 5272), it is one of about 250
globular star clusters which
roam our galactic halo.
Individual stars are difficult to distinguished in the
densely packed
core but
colors are apparent for the bright stars on the
cluster's outskirts.
M3's many cool "red" giant stars take on a yellowish cast in
this lovely composite image while
hotter giants and pulsating variable stars look light blue.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
