The stellar cluster Hodge 301

Above and to the right of the central cluster in the Tarantula Nebula, another cluster of bright, massive stars is seen. Known to astronomers as Hodge 301, it is about 20 million years old, or about 10 times older than R136. The more massive stars of Hodge 301 have therefore already exploded as supernovae, blasting material away at tremendous speed and creating a web of entangled filaments. More explosions will come soon — in astronomical terms — as three red supergiants are indeed present in Hodge 301 that will end their life in the gigantic firework of a supernova within the next million years.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0613c
Type:Observation
Release date:7 April 2006
Related releases:eso0613
Size:803 x 791 px

About the Object

Name:30 Doradus, NGC 2070
Type:Local Universe : Nebula
Local Universe : Star : Grouping : Cluster
Distance:170000 light years
Constellation:Dorado
Category:Nebulae
Star Clusters

Image Formats

Large JPEG
529.4 KB
Screensize JPEG
531.7 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
605.0 KB
1280x1024
874.3 KB
1600x1200
1.1 MB
1920x1200
1.1 MB
2048x1536
1.5 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):5 38 18.49
Position (Dec):-69° 4' 13.35"
Field of view:2.68 x 2.64 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
485 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
V
503 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
R
657 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1