Space Photo of the Week: James Webb Telescope Unveils the Milky Way’s Ultimate ‘Super Star Cluster


 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed Westerlund 1, the largest known star cluster in the Milky Way, located 12,000 light-years away. This “super star cluster” is home to stars up to 2,000 times larger and a million times brighter than the sun. JWST’s infrared capabilities allowed it to see through gas and dust, unveiling a previously hidden cosmic wonder. Westerlund 1 offers insights into the galaxy’s star formation history and will witness over 1,500 supernovae in the next 40 million years.

 


What it is: The colossal star cluster Westerlund 1
Location: 12,000 light-years away in the constellation Ara

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unlocked a cosmic treasure hidden in the heart of the Milky Way—Westerlund 1, the galaxy’s most massive known star cluster. Nestled 12,000 light-years away in the constellation Ara, this “super star cluster” is a galactic giant, far surpassing typical clusters. While most clusters have masses about 10,000 times that of the sun, Westerlund 1’s mass ranges between 50,000 and 100,000 times the solar mass. Some of its stars are not only 2,000 times larger than our sun but also shine a million times brighter. If one of these massive stars were in our solar system, its surface would stretch out to Saturn’s orbit, bathing our night sky in light comparable to hundreds of full moons.

Westerlund 1 is more than a visual marvel—it’s a ticking time bomb. Astronomers estimate that within the next 40 million years, over 1,500 supernovae will ignite within the cluster, unleashing cataclysmic star explosions on an unprecedented scale. Currently around 3.5 to 5 million years old, this cluster represents a rare snapshot of star formation on an epic scale.

The JWST, with its powerful Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), has provided an unparalleled view of this stellar nursery, piercing through the dense clouds of gas and dust that have long concealed it from optical telescopes like Hubble. Where Hubble faltered, JWST’s infrared vision thrives, revealing stunning twists of red gas and brilliant stars, each adorned with iconic diffraction spikes caused by JWST’s unique mirror structure.

Westerlund 1 offers a glimpse into the Milky Way’s distant past, when such star clusters were more common, and star formation was rampant. Studying this cluster not only reveals secrets of the most massive stars in the galaxy but also helps astronomers piece together the history of star formation in our cosmic backyard. Thanks to JWST, this once-hidden stellar city is now in full view, offering insights into the life and death of stars on an unimaginable scale.

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