Object Analysis

The Trapezium Cluster is a tight open cluster of stars in the heart of the Orion Nebula (M42). It was discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1617. The four brightest stars form a trapezoid shape and are responsible for illuminating the entire surrounding nebula.

These massive stars, known as Theta-1 Orionis A, B, C, and D, are incredibly hot and young—less than a few million years old. Theta-1 Orionis C is the most massive, with a mass about 40 times that of the Sun and a surface temperature of 40,000 Kelvin. Its intense ultraviolet radiation is eroding the surrounding gas clouds, destroying the very nursery that created it.

The cluster contains over 1,000 fainter stars packed into a diameter of just 1.5 light-years. Many of these stars have been found to have protoplanetary disks (proplyds) that are being evaporated by the radiation from the massive Trapezium stars, potentially stunting planet formation.