APOD: Young Star Cluster Westerlund 2 (2010 Jun 26)

[APOD Robot]

Young Star Cluster Westerlund 2

Explanation: Dusty stellar nursery RCW 49 surrounds young star cluster Westerlund 2 in this remarkable composite skyscape from beyond the visible spectrum of light. Infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope is shown in black and white, complimenting the Chandra X-ray image data (in false color) of the hot energetic stars within the cluster's central region. Looking toward the grand southern constellation Centaurus, both views reveal stars and structures hidden from optical telescopes by obscuring dust. Westerlund 2 itself is a mere 2 million years old or less, and contains some of our galaxy's most luminous, massive and therefore short-lived stars. The infrared signatures of proto-planetary disks have also been identified in the intense star forming region. At the cluster's estimated distance of 20,000 light-years, the square marking the Chandra field of view would be about 50 light-years on a side.

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[orin stepanek]

hope this works because I think it's a great picture. Another photo for my wallpaper site. The stars look so close together that they seem to be touching each other. aww! It didn't take. http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap040603.html

[orin stepanek]

Oh yes! Happy b-day Charles Messier!

[Ann]

In a way the image is slightly disappointing, because the cluster isn't that well resolved, and you can't resolve it a whole lot better by enlarging it, since it is apparently already close to maximum magnification.

On the other hand, what the heck. This is a fantastic object. A young supercluster. Okay, not really, if you ask for things like R136 in the Large Magellanic Cloud or something even bigger before you call it a supercluster. Then Westerlund 2 falls far short. Even so, it is amazing: in a universe where star formation is winding down, this is a flamboyantly rich cluster of really, really massive young stars. I'm glad the cluster got an APOD (as it has before, I'm sure). Congrats on your fifteen minutes of fame, Westerlund 2, and congratulations on your birthday, Charles Messier, who had no chance whatsoever to see the glory of this cluster!

Ann

[Case]

Bengt Westerlund (1921-2008)

Bengt Westerlund began his astronomical career in Sweden. He received his PhD in astronomy from the University of Uppsala in 1954 and spent most of the subsequent years, until 1967, at Mt. Stromlo Observatory, Australia, where he was first the Uppsala Schmidt Observer and an Honorary Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU), then becoming in 1958 Reader in Astronomy at the ANU. In 1967 he took a position as Professor of Astronomy at Steward Observatory where Bart J. Bok had become director. In 1969 he was appointed Director of ESO in Chile, which position he held until 1975 when he returned to Sweden to take up the position of the Professor of Astronomy at Uppsala Observatory, retiring in 1987.

His career was devoted to observational astronomy and his work on the structure of the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds earned respect and appreciation amongst his colleagues. Within those broad categories he contributed significantly to studies of clusters, stellar populations, carbon stars, planetary nebulae, WR stars, diffuse interstellar bands, luminous stars, stellar classification, and supernova remnants. Beyond these he also published papers on dwarf spheroidals, emission-line galaxies and radio galaxies. In this work, at Mt. Stromlo, Steward Observatory and at ESO in Chile, he was always successful in engaging the interest and participation of students, a number of whom produced high-quality theses under his supervision. Also Bengt was always a keen organiser and participant in international meetings.

Westerlund 1 is the most massive compact young star cluster known in the local group of galaxies and is about 3.5-5 kpc away from Earth. It was discovered by Bengt Westerlund in 1961.

Westerlund 2 is a young massive obscured star cluster, about 7.3-8.5 kpc away from Earth. It was discovered by Bengt Westerlund in 1961.

An asteroid, 2902 Westerlund, was named on the occasion of his retirement from the professorship.

In 2004 he inaugurated the Westerlund Telescope in Uppsala, named in his honour.

[neufer]

Oh yes! Happy b-day Charles Messier!

Shouldn't you have given it a number?

[León]

Youth divine treasure, just yesterday started to synthesize neutrons, for it had to spend a million years, difficult to planetary disks have been generated.

Certainly there may be material gave an inside look there before.

Much of protoplanetary disks heal her as a breeder of the planets, but until you know anything. I personally believe that the origin of planets is another.

[moonstruck]

Charles Messier Born June 26 1730 -- Died April 12 1817 at age 87 Yrs.
I guess that would make him about 280 now.
Happy Birthday Sir Charles and RIP. Thanks for your contribution to the astronomy world and beyond.

[orin stepanek]

Oh yes! Happy b-day Charles Messier!

Shouldn't you have given it a number?

June 26 1730 that's 280 Art. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Messier