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Solitary SuperstarNew studies of the Tarantula Nebula, seen in a recently released picture from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, have revealed a stellar surprise.Among the nebula's denizens is an extraordinarily bright star dubbed VFTS 682 that's 150 times the mass of the sun. The star is an oddity because it sits alone, even though such massive stars are normally found only in crowded clusters.Astronomers think the mysterious loner may have been ejected from a nearby cluster, R 136, which is filled with similar giants.
Image courtesy ESO

Space Pictures This Week: Lone Star, Shining Spirit

A stellar giant sits alone, astronauts return home, a Mars rover ends its run, and more in our editors' picks of the best new space shots.

Published May 27, 2011