HERCULES CLUSTER OF GALAXIES

470 million light-years

The Hercules Cluster contains approximately 100 galaxies. This large collection provides a showcase for the main types of galaxies: ellipticals, spirals and irregulars. The group is only 470 million light-years away, a stone’s throw in astronomical terms. Scientists study this cluster to learn how galaxies interact with one another.

Credit: Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope / Coelum / J.-C. Cuillandre & G. Anselmi.