Trumpler 14
| Trumpler 14 | |
|---|---|
Trumpler 14 as seen by the Multi-conjugate Adaptive optics Demonstrator (MAD) mounted on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). Image is based on a combination of K and H filters. Field of view is about two arcminutes across.
Credit: European Southern Observatory |
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| Observation data (J2000.0 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Carina |
| Right ascension | 10h 43m 56s[1] |
| Declination | −59° 33.0 ′[1] |
| Distance | 8000 (2450) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 5.5[1] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | 4.3+3.3 −1.5×103 M☉ |
| Estimated age | 300000–500000 years |
| Notable features | One of the youngest known star clusters |
| Other designations | C 1041-593, Cl VDBH 102[1] |
Trumpler 14 is an open cluster with a diameter of six light-years, located within the inner regions of the Carina Nebula, approximately 8000 light-years from Earth.[2] Together with the nearby Trumpler 16, they are the main clusters of the Carina OB1 stellar association, which is the largest association in the Carina Nebula, although Trumpler 14 is not as massive and as large as Trumpler 16.[3]
About 2000 stars have been identified in Trumpler 14.[4] and the total mass of the cluster is estimated to be 4,300 M⊙.[5]
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Age
It is one of the youngest known star clusters, estimates range from 300 to 500 thousand years old.[5] For comparison, the massive super star cluster R136 is about 1 to 2 million years old.,[6] and the famous Pleiades is about 115 million years old.[7] Due to its location within the inner parts of the Carina Nebula, Trumpler 14 is currently undergoing a massive star formation. As a result, the star cluster exhibits many stars of late O to early A spectral type, which are very massive (at least 10 solar masses), short-lived and hot (20000 K). The most prominent star is the supergiant HD 93129A, one of the most luminous stars in the Galaxy.[8]
Future
In a few million years, as its stars die, it will trigger the formation of metal-rich stars, and in a few hundred million years Trumpler 14 will probably dissipate.[9]
Gallery
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References
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