The Omega Centauri globular cluster of stars

The Omega Centauri globular cluster of stars is the brightest of its type in the sky and contains several millions of stars. It is here reproduced from a photographic plate obtained with the ESO 1 m Schmidt telescope. The exposure time was 15 minutes on a blue-sensitive emulsion.

The field shown is approximately square degrees. The small square near the centre (arrow) indicates the square arcsecond field shown in photo (D); the square arcsecond field in photo (C) is four times larger. North is up and East is to the left. (ESO Press Release eso8904; BW)