A Cosmic Chandelier: Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Globular Cluster NGC 6723

Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Sarajedini, G. Piotto

The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA released a breathtaking astronomical image on June 26, 2026, featuring globular cluster NGC 6723, also known as the "Chandelier Cluster." True to its name, the cluster glitters with countless brilliant points of light deep in the cosmos.

Each of those glittering "bulbs" on this celestial chandelier is, in fact, an individual star. The cluster lies in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, approximately 27,000 light-years from Earth.

One of the Milky Way's Oldest Structures

Globular clusters like NGC 6723 contain some of the oldest stars in the Milky Way. These clusters are typically more than 10 billion years old, with some approaching the age of the universe itself.

Astronomers consider globular clusters to be among the earliest structures to have formed in the Milky Way, predating the galactic thin disk — the region where our Sun resides — by billions of years. Exactly how globular clusters form, however, remains an open question in astronomy and a key subject of research into the history of galactic evolution.

Hubble Continues to Unlock Cosmic Mysteries

This image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and provided by the research teams of astronomers A. Sarajedini and G. Piotto. It showcases the dense stellar population of the globular cluster and its breathtaking star-field backdrop. By conducting long-term observations of such ancient clusters, scientists can trace the early formation of the Milky Way and deepen our understanding of the universe's evolutionary history.

Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Sarajedini, G. Piotto

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