1806-20 cluster
1806-20 (originally named the SGR 1806-20 cluster) is a heavily obscured star cluster on the far side of the Milky Way, approximately 50,000 light years distant. It contains the Soft gamma repeater SGR 1806-20 and the luminous blue variable hypergiant LBV 1806-20, a candidate for the most luminous star in the Milky Way. LBV 1806-20 and many of the other massive stars in the cluster are thought likely to end as supernovas in a few million years, leaving only neutron stars or black holes as remnants.
1806-20 cluster | |
---|---|
Observation data (2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Sagittarius |
Right ascension | 18h 08m 39.33s[1] |
Declination | −20° 24′ 40.0″[1] |
Distance | ~50000 ly (~15000 pc) |
Physical characteristics | |
Notable features | Contains SGR 1806-20 and LBV 1806-20. |
Other designations | G10.0-0.3, W31 |
![](../I/m/1806-20_cluster.jpg)
The cluster is heavily obscured by intervening dust, and mostly visible in the infrared. It is part of the larger W31 H II region and giant molecular cloud. It has a compact core of ~0.2 pc in diameter with a more extended halo of ~2 pc in diameter containing the LBV[1] and at least three Wolf–Rayet stars (of types WC8, WN6, and WN7) and an OB supergiant, plus other young massive stars.[2]
See also
- Wolf-Rayet star
- LBV 1806-20
- SGR 1806-20
- Hypergiant
- Star cluster
- Luminous blue variable
- Charles Wolf
- Georges Rayet
References
- SIMBAD/Aladin plot, of r=30 asec region around SGR B18054117-20251165
- D. F. Figer et al. Astrophys. J. 622 (2005) L49-L52