5 facts
Explore dazzling star clusters, gravitationally bound groups of thousands to millions of stars. Uncover their formation, types, and cosmic significance!
Messier 6 is a beautiful open star cluster, appearing like a butterfly with outstretched wings through binoculars or a small telescope. Located about 1,600 light-years away, it consists of dozens of young, hot, blue stars, making it a popular target for amateur astronomers.
Also known as the 'Cat's Eye Cluster,' M4 is one of the closest globular clusters to Earth, located about 7,200 light-years away. It contains hundreds of thousands of stars, including the first observed pulsar in a globular cluster, making it a fascinating object for astronomers.
Messier 2 (M2) is a spectacular globular cluster containing over 150,000 stars, located about 33,600 light-years away. It is easily visible with binoculars and small telescopes from Earth.
In Greek myth, these sisters were pursued by the hunter Orion and were placed among the stars by Zeus for their protection. This famous cluster is also known as the "Seven Sisters."
This V-shaped cluster of hundreds of stars is estimated to be 625 million years old and is visible without a telescope. It's a key feature that helps locate the Taurus constellation in the night sky.
