| Name | M80, NGC 6093 |
| Description | Globular cluster containing more than 100,000 stars |
| Age | About 13 billion years |
| Location | Found in the Scorpius constellation, a zodiacal constellation in the Southern Hemisphere |
| Distance from Earth | 32,600 light-years |
| Size | About 95 light-years across |
This stellar swarm is one of the densest of the 147 known globular star clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy. M80 contains hundreds of thousands of stars, held together by their mutual gravitational attraction.
"Fast Facts: Globular Cluster M80" is a table that lists the name, description, location, size, and distance of the globular cluster from Earth. An image of the cluster is included.
Use this resource as:
A source of information. Read the table to find out about this object.
A mapping activity. Locate the cluster's associated constellation on a star map.
A large-number recognition activity. Have students look at several Fast Fact tables, including this one. Ask them to place the objects described in the Fast Fact tables in order, starting with the object closest to Earth and ending with the one farthest away.
An inquiry tool. Have students write down questions they would like answered about the image and the information in the Fast Facts table.
An engagement tool. Involve students in a discussion.
HubbleSite press release: "Hubble Images a Swarm of Ancient Stars"
Amazing Space resources by topic: Stars and stellar evolution