Globular Cluster M15 from Hubble
Explanation:
Stars, like bees, swarm around the center of bright
globular cluster M15.
This ball of over 100,000
stars is a relic from the
early years of
our Galaxy,
and continues to orbit the
Milky Way's center.
M15,
one of about 150 globular clusters
remaining, is noted for being easily visible with only
binoculars, having at its center one of the
densest concentrations of stars known,
and containing a high abundance of
variable stars and
pulsars.
This sharp image, taken by the Earth-orbiting
Hubble Space Telescope,
spans about 120
light years.
It shows the dramatic increase in density of stars toward
the cluster's center.
M15
lies about 35,000
light years away toward the
constellation of the Winged Horse
(
Pegasus).
Recent evidence indicates that a massive
black hole might reside as the
center of M15.
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.
