White dwarfs in globular cluster M4

This graph shows the relationship between the temperature and brightness of a sampling of stars in the globular cluster M4. The line of dots at upper right represents main-sequence stars, those whose cores are fusing hydrogen. Normal stars like our Sun fall in the middle of this line.

The white dwarfs are not part of the main-sequence stars because they have used up their hydrogen fuel. These dying stars are fainter and yet hotter than their main-sequence relatives. NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope hunted for the faintest and coolest of the white dwarfs [bottom of white dwarf population.]

Credit:

NASA/ESA and A. Feild

About the Image

NASA press release
Id:opo0210f
Type:Chart
Release date:24 April 2002, 19:00
Size:717 x 600 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 4, NGC 6121
Type:Milky Way : Star : Evolutionary Stage : White Dwarf
Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Distance:5500 light years
Category:Illustrations
Star Clusters

Image Formats

r.titleLarge JPEG
72.6 KB
r.titleScreensize JPEG
125.6 KB

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