Labeled Illustration of Primordial Stellar Stream near Milky Way

This illustration shows the location of the C-19 stellar stream, which was recently discovered at the edge of our Milky Way Galaxy. Observations using the Gemini North telescope — part of the international Gemini Observatory, a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab — reveal that the stars in this stream were once part of an ancient globular star cluster that was torn apart by gravitational interactions with our galaxy. 

The location of the Sun is provided for reference. (The size of the Sun is exaggerated and is not to scale.) The Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud (satellite galaxies of the Milky Way) appear in the lower right.

Credit:

International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Spaceengine 

Acknowledgment: M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

About the Image

Id:noirlab2201b
Type:Artwork
Release date:Jan. 5, 2022, 9 a.m.
Related releases:noirlab2201
Size:5100 x 2860 px

About the Object

Category:Illustrations

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