Omega Centauri
Omega Centauri or NGC 5139 is the largest of all the 150 or so globular clusters known to occur in
our Milky Way galaxy. It is located in the constellation Cenaurus. Globular clusters are known to
occur in many galaxies and are almost always found outside of the galactic disk. That is, they orbit
around the galaxy. How and why they form is unknown. This cluster contains about 10 million stars
and is about 10 times as massive as the other big globulars in our galaxy. Its diameter is about 150
light years and is located about 15,000 light years from Earth. Studies indicate that the stars of this
cluster did not all form at once but over a 2-billion-year period of time, with several starburst peaks.
The stars in its center are so crowded that they are believed to be only 0.1 light year away from each
other. By comparison, the closest star to our Sun is about 7 light years away. This image was taken
at the Texas Star Party near Ft. Davis, TX in May, 2007. Much of the gold color of this image is
probably due to the atmosphere. Omega Centauri is located in a southern constellation and even in
Ft. Davis, it was not very high in the sky.
our Milky Way galaxy. It is located in the constellation Cenaurus. Globular clusters are known to
occur in many galaxies and are almost always found outside of the galactic disk. That is, they orbit
around the galaxy. How and why they form is unknown. This cluster contains about 10 million stars
and is about 10 times as massive as the other big globulars in our galaxy. Its diameter is about 150
light years and is located about 15,000 light years from Earth. Studies indicate that the stars of this
cluster did not all form at once but over a 2-billion-year period of time, with several starburst peaks.
The stars in its center are so crowded that they are believed to be only 0.1 light year away from each
other. By comparison, the closest star to our Sun is about 7 light years away. This image was taken
at the Texas Star Party near Ft. Davis, TX in May, 2007. Much of the gold color of this image is
probably due to the atmosphere. Omega Centauri is located in a southern constellation and even in
Ft. Davis, it was not very high in the sky.
