The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of the Westerlund star cluster, the largest open cluster in the Milky Way, showcasing around 50,000 stars. This cluster, nicknamed the 'Cradle of Stars,' features young stars, each less than 5 to 10 million years old, akin to the infancy of human life.
This observation presents a unique opportunity to study stellar formation and the diverse characteristics of stars in close proximity to one another. The image reveals both modest stars and unstable giants poised to explode, providing insights into the life cycles of stars.
Captured on November 29, 2024, this remarkable view emphasizes the beauty and complexity of our universe.