Quintuplet cluster
The Quintuplet cluster is a dense cluster of massive young stars about 100 light years from the Galactic Center (GC). Its name comes from the fact it has five prominent infrared sources residing in it. Along with the Arches Cluster it is one of two in the immediate GC region. Due to heavy extinction by dust in the vicinity, it is invisible to optical observation and must be studied in the X-ray, radio, and infrared bands.
| Quintuplet Cluster | |
|---|---|
Infrared image of the Quintuplet Cluster Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA | |
| Observation data (J2000. epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 17h 46m 13.9s |
| Declination | −28° 49′ 48″ |
| Distance | 26 kly (8 kpc) |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 50" (2 pc) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | 10,000 M☉ |
| Estimated age | 4.8 million years |
| Dense cluster of massive young stars near the Galactic Center. Optically obscured. | |
| Other designations | IRAS 17430-2848, G000.16-00.06 |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
The Quintuplet is less compact than the nearby Arches Cluster, with fewer of the most massive and luminous stars, but it does have the distinction of hosting two of the extremely rare luminous blue variables, the Pistol Star and the less well-known qF 362 (aka V4650 Sgr), and a third just a few parsecs away. It also contains a number of red supergiants, all suggesting a slightly more evolved cluster around 4 million years old.