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NASA’s Hubble celebrates Fourth of July early with galactic explosions

NASA’s Hubble celebrates Fourth of July early with galactic explosions

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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured a "firework" large enough to engulf our planet. The birth of a cluster of stars in galaxy Kiso 6359 looks like a projectile from a Roman candle.

NASA’s page includes a helpful explanation from Debra Elmegreen, a lead researcher at Vassar College, that gives the stars some galactic context:

"I think Kiso 5639 is a beautiful, up-close example of what must have been common long ago. The current thinking is that galaxies in the early universe grow from accreting gas from the surrounding neighborhood. It’s a stage that galaxies, including our Milky Way, must go through as they are growing up."

Yes, we’re aware that claiming stargazing is cooler than lighting actual fireworks is akin saying that sparklers are superior to M-80s. So, once you’ve enjoyed the majesty of space, and grappled with an individual’s diminutive place in time, you should enjoy these videos of people blowing stuff up.

Happy almost Fourth of July!