Images courtesy of NASA and ESATravel 20,000 light-years in 40 spectacular seconds in this new celebration of Hubble Space Telescope’s 25th birthday. Unveiled today by NASA and ESA, Flight to Star Cluster Westerlund 2 features the star group Westerlund 2 in a glorious tribute to a quarter century of Hubble’s triumphs. Additionally showcased in a corresponding collection of equally gorgeous still images, Westerlund 2 encompasses approximately 3,000 stars within the stellar breeding ground known as Gum 29.
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“The comparatively young, 2-million-year-old star cluster contains some of our galaxy's hottest, brightest, and most massive stars,” the press release explains. “The largest stars are unleashing a torrent of ultraviolet light and hurricane-force winds that etch away the enveloping hydrogen gas cloud. This creates a fantasy celestial landscape of pillars, ridges, and valleys.”Below, speed through light-years of spectacular space with an awesome, otherworldly display of “nature’s own fireworks.” Hats off to you, Hubble.
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