NGC 5139

Globular cluster NGC 5139 (= De Cheseaux No. 18 = Lacaille I.5 = Bennett 61 = Caldwell 80), class VIII, in Centaurus

Omega Centauri

[n5139aat.gif]
Right Ascension 13 : 26.8 (h:m)
Declination -47 : 29 (deg:m)
Distance 16.0 (kly)
Visual Brightness 3.68 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 36.3 (arc min)

This is the biggest of all globular clusters in our Milky Way galaxy. With its about 5 million solar masses, it is about 10 times as massive as other big globulars, and has about the same mass as the smallest whole galaxies. It is also the most luminous Milky Way globular, and the brightest globular cluster in the sky. In the Local Group, it is outshined only by the brightest globular cluster G1 in the Andromeda Galaxy M31.

The image in this page was obtained by David Malin with the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This image is copyrighted and may be used for private purpose only. For any other kind of use, including internet mirroring and storing on CD-ROM, please contact Coral Cooksley of the Anglo Australian Observatory.

  • More information on this image by David Malin

    Omega Centauri had been listed in Ptolemy's catalog as a star. Halley was the first to document its nonstellar nature, and listed it as "luminous spot or patch in Centaurus" in his historical list of six such objects. Lacaille included it in his catalog as number I.5.

    In the SAC 110 best NGC object list. In John Caldwell's observing list. In the Astronomical League's Southern Sky Binocular Club list.

    Hartmut Frommert (spider@seds.org)
    Christine Kronberg (smil@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)

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    Last Modification: 22 Mar 1998, 21:25 MET