Quintuplet cluster

Infobox Cluster
name = Quintuplet Cluster


caption =Quintuplet Cluster (HST/NICMOS image) [http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/1999/30/text/ HubbleSite - NewsCenter - Hubble Spies Giant Star Clusters Near Galactic Center (09/16/1999) - Release Text ] ]
epoch = J2000.
constellation = Sagittarius
ra = RA|17|46|13.9
dec = DEC|-28|49|48
dist_ly = 25000 lty
dist_pc = 8500 pc
notes = Dense cluster of massive young stars near the Galactic center. Optically obscured.
names = IRAS 17430-2848, G000.16-00.06 The Quintuplet cluster is a dense cluster of massive young stars near the Galactic Center (GC).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 Cluster is approximately 4 million years old, and has a mass in excess of 10,000 times that of the Sun.It also contains the Pistol star, one of the most luminous in the Galaxy, which is probably close to becoming a supernova. [Figer, Don et al, ApJ. 1999 November 10.]

References

* Moneti, A, Glass, I, & Moorwood, A, "Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.", 258, 705-714 (1992)

External links

* IRAS 17430-2848, [http://webviz.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-S?IRAS%2017430-2848 at SIMBAD ]
* The Revised AFGL (RAFGL) Catalogue [http://webviz.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-S?RAFGL%202004 at SIMBAD ]