Scorpius-Centaurus OB Association
The Scorpius-Centaurus OB Association is a large group of young, massive stars located in the southern sky, primarily within the constellations Scorpius and Centaurus. It is one of the closest OB associations to Earth, situated about 500 light-years away. This association is composed of several subgroups, including the Upper Scorpius, Lower Centaurus Crux, and Upper Centaurus Lupus regions.
The stars in the Scorpius-Centaurus OB Association are relatively young, with ages ranging from 5 to 16 million years. These massive stars are important for studying stellar evolution and the dynamics of star formation. The association also plays a significant role in the surrounding interstellar medium, influencing the formation of new stars through their powerful stellar winds and radiation.