NGC5139 Omega Centauri

Field centered on R.A. 13h 25' & Dec. -47° 30'

 

Pictured above is the largest ball of stars in our Galaxy. About 10 million stars orbit the center of this globular cluster - named Omega Centauri - as this giant globular cluster orbits our Galactic center. Recent evidence indicates that Omega Centauri is by far the most massive of the about 150 known globular clusters in the Milky Way. Omega Centauri, cataloged as NGC 5139, spans about 150 light years across, lies about 15,000 light years away, and can be seen without visual aid toward the constellation of Centaurus. Though most star clusters consist of stars with the same age and composition, the enigmatic Omega Cen exhibits the presence of different stellar populations with a spread of ages and chemical abundances. In fact, Omega Centauri may be the remnant core of a small galaxy merging with the Milky Way (Text adapted from APOD).

Click here for an enlargement (postcard style) at higher resolution.

 

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Pentax SXD75 + RC0.72x35 + Vixen Sphinx SXD SBIG STL11K, binning 1x1, T=-20°C L (50m) RGB (20m each) Optec LRGB filter set

Maleene station, Mt. Magnet, W.Australia

M.Lorenzi

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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