April 29, 1999
The same gravity that holds galaxies together and keeps planets in their orbits also held you to the Earth on the day you were born.
NGC 2266: Old Cluster in the New General Catalog
Birthday · April 29, 1999
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
Free PNG · 1080 × 1350 · No account needed
Image rights and credit requirements apply when sharing or reusing imagery.
Date & occasion only
Change the year
APOD published April 29, 1999. Credit: Till Credner & Sven Kohle, Bonn University, Calar Alto Observatory. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
The New General Catalog of star clusters and nebulae really isn't so new. In fact, it was published in 1888 - an attempt by J. L. E. Dreyer to consolidate the work of astronomers William, Caroline, and John Herschel along with others into a useful single, complete catalog of astronomical discoveries and measurements. Dreyer's work was successful and is still important today as this famous catalog continues to lend its acronym "NGC" to bright clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. Take for example this star cluster known as NGC 2266 (item number 2,266 in the NGC compilation). It lies about 10,000 light-years distant in the constellation Gemini and represents an open or galactic cluster. With an age of about 1 billion years, NGC 2266 is old for a galactic cluster. Its evolved red giant stars are readily apparent in this gorgeous three-color image.
Image credit: Till Credner & Sven Kohle, Bonn University, Calar Alto Observatory