The globular cluster NGC 6388 observed by the European Southern Observatory

This image from the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile shows NGC 6388, a dynamically middle-aged globular cluster in the Milky Way. While the cluster formed in the distant past (like all globular clusters, it is over ten billion years old), a study of the distribution of bright blue stars within the cluster shows that it has aged at a moderate speed, and its heaviest stars are in the process of migrating to the centre.

A new study using ESO data has discovered that globular clusters of the same age can have dramatically different distributions of blue straggler stars within them, suggesting that clusters can age at substantially different rates.

Credit:

ESO, F. Ferraro (University of Bologna)

About the Image

Id:eso1252a
Type:Observation
Release date:19 December 2012, 19:00
Related releases:eso1252
Size:1662 x 1759 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 6388
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Distance:35000 light years
Constellation:Scorpius
Category:Star Clusters

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.0 MB
Screensize JPEG
356.0 KB

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1280x1024
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1600x1200
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Coordinates

Position (RA):17 36 17.36
Position (Dec):-44° 44' 9.48"
Field of view:6.59 x 6.98 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Optical
V
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI