NASA provides a constant stream of images for space enthusiasts from its collections. The space agency often selects the ones that fit well with the theme of the occasion. For instance, it shared the big ‘pumpkin patch’ image during Halloween in 2020. This time, NASA has shared a ‘patriotic’ image that has red, white, and blue colors that complement the occasion of Independence Day.
The new image shows the NGC 330, an open star cluster that is situated in the Small Magellanic Cloud around 180,000 light-years from our planet. It is found in the Tucana constellation where they are spread across the sky in several clusters. The space agency said these stars have a similar size, resulting in a unique image.
Two studies merged for this image
The Hubble Space Telescope managed to capture this image using its Wide Field Camera 3. Two “very different” observations were merged to make this image, as per the space agency. As a result, a large photo of stars appeared multi-colored on a black background.
NASA emphasized that these star clusters have taken birth from the same primordial gas and dust cloud, making them of the same age. Scientists can use these “natural laboratories” to study the evolution and formation of stars. That’s how the space agency acquired two sets of data from two different studies of the same area. The image shows an X-shaped pattern at the center. The space agency explains this unique feature gives the blanket of stars a Christmas light-like feel.
Hubble could end operations soon
Unfortunately, the Hubble Space Telescope is currently in safe mode and is not functional. Both its main payload and backup computer have run into the same issue. This could be the end of Hubble’s 30-year-long operation. Paul Hertz, director of NASA’s astrophysics division, during a meeting, said that NASA will be “very deliberate” in its analysis of the computer glitch.
The ground team is working on fixing other hardware of the telescope that could allow them to continue observation. The observations made by the telescope have helped astronomers unravel many mysteries of the cosmos.
