Losing stars to the Milky Way (artist's impression)

An artist's impression of the orbit of the globular cluster Messier 12 in the Milky Way. Due to gravitational disruption, this cluster continuously loses stars, in particular light ones. This process is enhanced when it passes through the central plane in which most of the Galaxy's stars and nebulae are located. The cluster emerges in a less dense state after such a passage. The stars that are lost move on in orbits similar to that of the cluster and populate the halo of the Milky Way.

Crédit:

ESO

À propos de l'image

Identification:eso0604b
Type:Dessin
Date de publication:7 février 2006
Communiqués de presse en rapport:eso0604
Taille:2362 x 2357 px

À propos de l'objet

Nom:Messier 12
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Distance:23000 années lumière
Catégorie:Illustrations
Nebulae

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