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In this glimpse into M67, Hubble’s intricate observation reveals stars within the open cluster, highlighted by mesmerizing diffraction spikes. These spikes emerge as reflections off Hubble’s secondary mirror support, casting a distinctive aura around bright points of light. |
In this Hubble image, the celestial canvas unfolds with the brilliance of bright stars scattered like sequins on cosmic velvet, presenting a mesmerizing section of Messier 67 (M67), also known as NGC 2682, the King Cobra Cluster, and the Golden Eye Cluster.
M67 is a captivating ensemble of over 500 stars, forming a loosely gravitationally bound open cluster. Uncommonly, this cluster, at approximately 4 billion years old, stands as one of the oldest known open clusters, mirroring the age of our Sun. Among its stellar inhabitants are about 100 stars akin to our Sun in composition and age, accompanied by an assembly of red giants and white dwarfs. Notably, M67 harbors approximately 30 “blue stragglers,” peculiar stars shining brighter and bluer than their counterparts, possibly the outcome of material acquisition from binary companions. This cluster holds the distinction of being the oldest open cluster in the Messier catalog.
Adding to its uniqueness, M67 resides nearly 1,500 light-years above the Milky Way galaxy’s plane, deviating from the typical distribution of open clusters along the central plane. This celestial tapestry unveils not only the diversity within M67 but also its exceptional cosmic positioning, making it a captivating subject of astronomical exploration.
The lower left portion of Messier 67 shows a small area. By Hubble telescope.
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The ground-based perspective comes to life in the lower-left corner, courtesy of the Digitized Sky Survey, offering a glimpse of the minute portion within Messier 67 that captured the attention of the Hubble Space Telescope. |
M67’s celestial journey began in 1779 when German astronomer Johann Gottfried Koehler made its first recorded observation. A year later, Charles Messier rediscovered it, recognizing the stellar congregation that we now identify as Messier 67. Positioned approximately 2,700 light-years away in the Cancer constellation, M67 holds a historical significance in astronomical annals.
Locating M67 involves a celestial treasure hunt. In the constellation Cancer, one can spot an inverted Y shape; M67 lies west of the Y’s easternmost star. Alternatively, draw an imaginary line between Regulus in Leo and Procyon in Canis Minor, centering your gaze slightly north for a celestial rendezvous with M67. In binoculars, it appears as a subtle luminous patch, revealing more depth through telescopes, which can unveil up to a hundred individual stars.
Hubble’s focus, however, narrows down to a fraction of the cluster, offering a detailed spectacle of its vibrant stars. For optimal viewing, set your sights on M67 during the spring skies in the Northern Hemisphere, with March presenting an ideal window to witness this cosmic ensemble in all its celestial splendor.
