Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Centaurus (Cen)  ·  Contains:  NGC 5139  ·  omega Cen
Omega Centauri, kerrywaz1
Omega Centauri
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Omega Centauri

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Description

The magnificent Omega Centauri or NGC 5139 is a globular cluster seen in the constellation of Centaurus. Orbiting the Milky Way, it is both the brightest and the largest known globular cluster associated with our galaxy. Originally classified as a star, Omega Centauri is so different from other galactic globular clusters, it is thought to be perhaps a dwarf galaxy that was captured by the Milky Way in the distant past.

Omega Centauri is located about 15,800 light-years from Earth and contains several million Population II stars. The stars in its center are so crowded that they are estimated to average only a tenth of a light-year away from each other. It is thought to be about 12 billion years of age. Omega Centauri is one of the few globular clusters visible to the naked eye and appears about as large as the full Moon.

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Omega Centauri, kerrywaz1