Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri
Omega Centauri
	The globular cluster Omega Centauri
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Class	VIII
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	13h 26m 47.28s
Declination	−47° 28′ 46.1″
Distance	15.8 ± 1.1 kly (4.84 ± 0.34 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	3.9
Apparent dimensions (V)	36′.3
Physical characteristics
Mass	(4.05±0.1)×106 M☉
Radius	86 ± 6 ly
Metallicity	= –1.35 dex
Estimated age	11.52 Gyr
Other designations	NGC 5139, GCl 24, ω Centauri, Caldwell 80, Mel 118
	See also: Globular cluster, List of globular clusters

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 17,090 light-years (5,240 parsecs), it is the largest known globular cluster in the Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years.^[10] It is estimated to contain approximately 10 million stars, with a total mass of 4 million solar masses,^[11] 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.^[12]

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^ distance × sin(diameter_angle / 2), using distance of 5 kpc and angle 36.3′, = 86 ± 6 ly radius
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference mnras404_3_1203 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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^ "Omega Centauri: The Largest Globular Cluster". Universe for Facts. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
^ "APOD: 2010 March 31 - Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri".
^ Cite error: The named reference AJ676_2_1008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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[vandeVenetal2006-3] Cite error: The named reference vandeVenetal2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Skiff1999-4] Cite error: The named reference Skiff1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ArnoldDohertyMoore1999-5] Cite error: The named reference ArnoldDohertyMoore1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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[7] stance × sin(diameter_angle / 2), using distance of 5 kpc and angle 36.3′, = 86 ± 6 ly radius

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[10] "Omega Centauri: The Largest Globular Cluster". Universe for Facts. Retrieved 21 December 2014.

[11] "APOD: 2010 March 31 - Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri".

[AJ676_2_1008-12] Cite error: The named reference AJ676_2_1008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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