Losing stars to the Milky Way (artist's impression)

An artist's impression of the orbit of the globular cluster Messier 12 in the Milky Way. Due to gravitational disruption, this cluster continuously loses stars, in particular light ones. This process is enhanced when it passes through the central plane in which most of the Galaxy's stars and nebulae are located. The cluster emerges in a less dense state after such a passage. The stars that are lost move on in orbits similar to that of the cluster and populate the halo of the Milky Way.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0604b
Type:Artwork
Release date:7 February 2006
Related releases:eso0604
Size:2362 x 2357 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 12
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Distance:23000 light years
Category:Illustrations
Nebulae

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