Quintuplet cluster

Quintuplet Cluster
Infrared image of the Quintuplet Cluster
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA
Observation data (J2000. epoch)
Right ascension17h 46m 13.9s[1]
Declination−28° 49′ 48″[1]
Distance26 kly (8 kpc[2])
Apparent dimensions (V)50" (2 pc)[3]
Physical characteristics
Mass10,000[3] M☉
Estimated age4.8 million years[4]
Dense cluster of massive young stars near the Galactic Center. Optically obscured.
Other designationsIRAS 17430-2848, G000.16-00.06
Associations
ConstellationSagittarius
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

The Quintuplet cluster is a dense cluster of massive young stars about 100 light years from the Galactic Center (GC). Its name comes from the fact it has five prominent infrared sources residing in it. Along with the Arches Cluster it is one of two in the immediate GC region. Due to heavy extinction by dust in the vicinity, it is invisible to optical observation and must be studied in the X-ray, radio, and infrared bands.

The Quintuplet is less compact than the nearby Arches Cluster, with fewer of the most massive and luminous stars, but it does have the distinction of hosting two of the extremely rare luminous blue variables, the Pistol Star and the less well-known qF 362 (aka V4650 Sgr), and a third just a few parsecs away.[2] It also contains a number of red supergiants, all suggesting a slightly more evolved cluster around 4 million years old.[5]

  1. ^ a b Beichman, C. A.; Neugebauer, G.; Habing, H. J.; Clegg, P. E.; Chester, Thomas J. (1988). "Infrared astronomical satellite (IRAS) catalogs and atlases. Volume 1: Explanatory supplement". Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) Catalogs and Atlases. Volume 1: Explanatory Supplement. 1. Bibcode:1988iras....1.....B.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference mauerhan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference figer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Schneider, F. R. N.; Izzard, R. G.; De Mink, S. E.; Langer, N.; Stolte, A.; De Koter, A.; Gvaramadze, V. V.; Hußmann, B.; Liermann, A.; Sana, H. (2014). "Ages of Young Star Clusters, Massive Blue Stragglers, and the Upper Mass Limit of Stars: Analyzing Age-dependent Stellar Mass Functions". The Astrophysical Journal. 780 (2): 117. arXiv:1312.0607. Bibcode:2014ApJ...780..117S. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/780/2/117. S2CID 28410959.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference hr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).