Messier 53

Messier 53
Messier 53 by Hubble Space Telescope; 3.5′ view Credit: NASA/STScI/WikiSky
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Class	V[1]
Constellation	Coma Berenices
Right ascension	13^h 12^m 55.25^s[2]
Declination	+18° 10′ 05.4″[2]
Distance	58×10^3 ly (18 kpc)[3]
Apparent magnitude (V)	+8.33[4]
Apparent dimensions (V)	13.0′[5]
Physical characteristics
Mass	8.26×10^5[6] M☉
Metallicity	${\displaystyle {\begin{smallmatrix}\left[{\ce {Fe}}/{\ce {H}}\right]\end{smallmatrix}}}$ = –1.86[7] dex
Estimated age	12.67 Gyr[7]
Other designations	M53, NGC 5024, GCl 22, C 1310+184[4]

Messier 53 (also known as M53 or NGC 5024) is a globular cluster in the Coma Berenices constellation. It was discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1775. M53 is one of the more outlying globular clusters, being about 60,000 light-years away from the Galactic Center, and almost the same distance (about 58,000 light-years) from the Solar system.

References

1. Shapley, Harlow; Sawyer, Helen B. (August 1927), "A Classification of Globular Clusters", Harvard College Observatory Bulletin, 849 (849): 11–14, Bibcode:1927BHarO.849...11S.
2. Goldsbury, Ryan; et al. (December 2010), "The ACS Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters. X. New Determinations of Centers for 65 Clusters", The Astronomical Journal, 140 (6): 1830–1837, arXiv:1008.2755, Bibcode:2010AJ....140.1830G, doi:10.1088/0004-6256/140/6/1830.
3. Hessels, J. W. T.; et al. (November 2007), "A 1.4 GHz Arecibo Survey for Pulsars in Globular Clusters", The Astrophysical Journal, 670 (1): 363–378, arXiv:0707.1602, Bibcode:2007ApJ...670..363H, doi:10.1086/521780
4. "SIMBAD Astronomical Object Database". Results for NGC 5024. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
5. Messier 53, SEDS Messier pages
6. Boyles, J.; et al. (November 2011), "Young Radio Pulsars in Galactic Globular Clusters", The Astrophysical Journal, 742 (1): 51, arXiv:1108.4402, Bibcode:2011ApJ...742...51B, doi:10.1088/0004-637X/742/1/51.
7. Forbes, Duncan A.; Bridges, Terry (May 2010), "Accreted versus in situ Milky Way globular clusters", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 404 (3): 1203–1214, arXiv:1001.4289, Bibcode:2010MNRAS.404.1203F, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.16373.x.

External links

• SEDS: Messier Object 53
• Messier 53, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page
• Gray, Meghan. "M53 – Globular Cluster". Deep Space Videos. Brady Haran.
• Messier 53 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 13^h 12^m 55.3^s, +18° 10′ 09″