Fact Sheet
Stellar Family
A cluster of stars known as M7 sparkles like fireflies in this view from Kitt Peak National Observatory. The stars in the cluster are all members of the same family -- they were born about 220 million years ago from a single cloud of gas and dust. The cluster is one of two that is visible low in the south on summer evenings just above the "stinger" of Scorpius, the scorpion. Under dark skies, the clusters are just visible to the unaided eye. Binoculars reveal many of their stars. [Credit: N.A.Sharp/REU program/NOAO/AURA/NSF]
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