A globular cluster’s striking red eye
This Picture of the Week shows the colourful globular cluster NGC 2108. The cluster is nestled within the Large Magellanic Cloud, in the constellation of the Swordfish (Dorado). It was discovered in 1835 by the astronomer, mathematician, chemist and inventor John Herschel, son of the famous William Herschel.
The most striking feature of this globular cluster is the gleaming ruby-red spot at the centre left of the cluster. What looks like the cluster’s watchful eye is actually a carbon star. Carbon stars are almost always cool red giants, with atmospheres containing more carbon than oxygen — the opposite to our Sun. Carbon monoxide forms in the outer layer of the star through a combination of these elements, until there is no more oxygen available. Carbon atoms are then free to form a variety of other carbon compounds, such as C2, CH, CN, C3 and SiC2, which scatter blue light within the star, allowing red light to pass through undisturbed.
This image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), using three different filters.
Credit:ESA/Hubble & NASA
About the Image
Id: | potw1832a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 6 August 2018, 06:00 |
Size: | 3908 x 3110 px |
About the Object
Name: | NGC 2108 |
Type: | Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular |
Distance: | 150000 light years |
Constellation: | Dorado |
Category: | Star Clusters |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 5 44 6.32 |
Position (Dec): | -69° 10' 28.35" |
Field of view: | 3.25 x 2.59 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 27.6° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical V | 555 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |