Solar composition star cluster
New observations of the richly populated star cluster NGC 2420 taken by the refurbished WIYN 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory suggest that the cluster contains a multitude of clues about the history and evolution of the Milky Way. NGC 2420 consists of approximately 1,000 stars packed into a roughly spherical volume of space just 30 light-years in diameter. Because all of the stars in a star cluster have similar ages and initial compositions, star clusters can be used as a laboratory to study many different areas of astronomy. Further details of this interesting result can be found in NOAO press release 02-04.
Credit:WIYN/NOIRLab/NSF
About the Image
Id: | noao0203a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | June 3, 2002 |
Related releases: | noao0203 |
Related announcements: | noaoann02007 |
Size: | 800 x 800 px |
About the Object
Name: | NGC 2420 |
Constellation: | Gemini |
Category: | Star Clusters |
Wallpapers
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Coordinates
Position (RA): | 7 38 28.19 |
Position (Dec): | 21° 29' 58.01" |
Field of view: | 15.89 x 15.89 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 0.2° right of vertical |
Colors & filters
Band | Tele-scope |
---|---|
WIYN 0.9-meter Telescope |