Hubble Spot Star Cluster NGC 346

In anticipation of the 35th anniversary of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, ESA/Hubble is starting to celebrate with new images of the Star Cluster NGC 346 with new data and processing technology. This prolific star factory is located in the small Magellan cloud, one of the largest of the Milky Way satellite galaxies.

As part of ESA/Hubble’s 35th anniversary ceremony, a new series of images is being shared to revisit the previously released stunning Hubble Target. This image series combines new processing techniques with the latest Hubble data to re-release these space scenes for the public to enjoy.

This new image introduces the dazzling Young Star Cluster NGC 346. Although some images of the NGC346 have been released previously, this view contains new data, combining the first observations combined with Hubble observations made with infrared, optical, and ultraviolet rays.

NGC 346 is located in the small Magellan Cloud, a satellite galaxy in the Milky Way, 200,000 light years away from the constellation Tucana. Small Magellan clouds are less heavier than astronomy, helium, known as astronomers. This makes the galaxy’s conditions similar to those that existed in the early universe.

NGC 346 has over 2,500 newborn stars. The giant stars in the cluster are many times larger than our Sun, burning in intense blue light on this image. The glowing pink nebulae and dark clouds like snakes are carved by bright stars within the cluster.

Hubble’s exquisite sensitivity and resolution helped uncover the secrets of star formation in NGC 346. Using two sets of observations 11 years apart, researchers have traced the movement of the NGC 346 star, revealing that it is spiraling towards the center of the cluster. This helical movement arises from the flow of gas from outside the star-forming cluster at the center of the turbulent cloud.

The inhabitants of this cluster are stellar sculptors, etching bubbles from the nebulae. The hot, massive star of NGC 346 produces intense radiation and intense star winds, pounding the swirling gas of the birthplace, and beginning to disperse the surrounding nebulae.

The nebula named N66 is the brightest example of the H II (pronounced “H-TWO”) region of the small Magellan cloud. The H II region is radiant by UV rays from hot young stars like NGC 346. The presence of vivid nebulae indicates the younger age of the star cluster. The HII region shines as long as the stars move it.