Omega Centauri
NGC 5193 in Centaurus
also designated ω Cen and Caldwell 80 is the largest-known globular cluster in the Milky Way.
'Omega Cen' was first discovered by Ptolemy, and is located at a distance of 17,000 light-years.
With a diameter of roughly 150 light-years, it is estimated to contain approximately 10,000,000 stars!
The average distance between the tightly-packed stars in the cluster is only 0.1 light-year.
Omega Cen differs from other globular clusters, as it's thought to have once been the core of a dwarf galaxy.
Note the wonderful IFN (Integrated Flux Nebulae) near the top-left corner of the field of view,
and the sweet, 'little' spiral, ESO 269-85 at 3 o'clock.
Follow the 'Large' link below, to view several, small background galaxies.
This image is in collaboration with Telescope Live, imaged from Australia.
LARGE
also designated ω Cen and Caldwell 80 is the largest-known globular cluster in the Milky Way.
'Omega Cen' was first discovered by Ptolemy, and is located at a distance of 17,000 light-years.
With a diameter of roughly 150 light-years, it is estimated to contain approximately 10,000,000 stars!
The average distance between the tightly-packed stars in the cluster is only 0.1 light-year.
Omega Cen differs from other globular clusters, as it's thought to have once been the core of a dwarf galaxy.
Note the wonderful IFN (Integrated Flux Nebulae) near the top-left corner of the field of view,
and the sweet, 'little' spiral, ESO 269-85 at 3 o'clock.
Follow the 'Large' link below, to view several, small background galaxies.
This image is in collaboration with Telescope Live, imaged from Australia.
LARGE