Central Star Cluster in NGC3603

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The central cluster is the densest concentration of massive stars known in the Milky Way. The field shown is about 2.5 x 2.5 light-years 2. It hosts more than 50 hot O-type stars. The brightest star in the field is the red supergiant IRS4 ; it is located about 80 arcsec NE of the center. About 18 arcsec N of the center are the ring nebula and the bipolar outflows around the blue supergiant Sher25. The photo also shows three proplyd-like objects ; they are similar to those seen in Orion Nebula, but 20-30 times more extended. About 1 arcmin SSE of the central cluster are seen the brightest members of the deeply embedded proto cluster IRS9 .

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