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Entire Star Cluster Thrown Out of its Galaxy

  • The monstrous elliptical galaxy M87 is the home of several trillion stars, a supermassive black hole, and a family of 15,000 globular star clusters. One of those globular clusters, HVGC-1, is escaping the galaxy after being flung outward at tremendous speed.

    The monstrous elliptical galaxy M87 is the home of several trillion stars, a supermassive black hole, and a family of 15,000 globular star clusters. One of those globular clusters, HVGC-1, is escaping the galaxy after being flung outward at tremendous speed.

    NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team

    Low Resolution Image

    High Resolution Image

  • The runaway star cluster HVGC-1 (circled) in a photo from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). The cluster is zooming toward us at a speed of more than two million miles per hour.

    The runaway star cluster HVGC-1 (circled) in a photo from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). The cluster is zooming toward us at a speed of more than two million miles per hour.

    CFHT

    Low Resolution Image

  • This artist's illustration shows the hypervelocity star cluster HVGC-1 escaping from the supergiant elliptical galaxy M87. HVGC-1 is the first runaway star cluster discovered by astronomers. It is fated to drift through intergalactic space.

    This artist's illustration shows the hypervelocity star cluster HVGC-1 escaping from the supergiant elliptical galaxy M87. HVGC-1 is the first runaway star cluster discovered by astronomers. It is fated to drift through intergalactic space.

    David A. Aguilar (CfA)

    Low Resolution Image

    High Resolution Image