New Views of Kappa Crucis Cluster

This image of the well-known NGC 4755 cluster, or Jewel Box, was taken with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory. It highlights the cluster and its rich surroundings in all their multicoloured glory.
Credit: ESO

A new series of telescope images taken with conventional cameras, high-resolution ground telescopes, and the Hubble Space Telescope show glittering details of this colorful star cluster in the Southern Cross constellation.

The cluster is about 6,400 light-years away, and is visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Its monicker was bestowed by John Herschel, who in the 1830s observed that the striking color contrasts of its pale blue and orange stars reminded him of a piece of exotic jewellery.

View a composite image at ESO's website.