M11: The Wild Duck Cluster
Explanation:
Many
stars like our
Sun were formed in
open clusters.
The
above pictured open cluster,
M11, contains thousands of stars and is just over
five thousand
light years distant.
The stars in
this cluster all formed
together about 250 million years ago.
The bright young stars in
M11 appear blue.
Open
clusters, also
called galactic clusters, contain fewer and younger stars than
globular clusters.
Also unlike
globular clusters,
open clusters are generally confined to the plane of
our Galaxy.
M11 is visible with binoculars towards the
constellation of
Scutum.
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.
