Omega Centauri

Image Title: Omega Centauri

Copyright: Massimo Di Fusco and Mirco Turra

Date image was taken: March 13, 2024

Location: Cile

Image Description and Details: Omega Centauri (ω Cen, NGC 5139, or Caldwell 80) is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus that was first identified as a non-stellar object by Edmond Halley in 1677. Located at a distance of 17090 light-years, it is the largest-known globular cluster in the Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years. It is estimated to contain approximately 10 million stars, and a total mass equivalent to 4 million solar masses, making it the most massive-known globular cluster in the Milky Way.
Omega Centauri is very different from most other galactic globular clusters to the extent that it is thought to have originated as the core remnant of a disrupted dwarf galaxy. Indeed, a 2008 study presented evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole at the center of Omega Centauri, based on observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope and Gemini Observatory on Cerro Pachón in Chile.

Equipment Details: Data acquired at Chilescope
Newtonian ASA 500, f/3.6
ASA DDM85 Equatorial Mount
FLI Proline 16803 CCD camera
RGB filters 3x(6x180")
APP, PixInsight, PS

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