Messier 53
Coordinates: 
13h 12m 55.3s, +18° 10′ 09″
13h 12m 55.3s, +18° 10′ 09″
Distance | 58×103 ly (18 kpc)[3] | |
|---|---|---|
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.6[4] | |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 13.0′[4] | |
| Physical characteristics | ||
| Mass | 8.26×105[5] M☉ | |
| Metallicity | = –1.86 Gyr[6] | |
| Other designations | M53, NGC 5024, GCl 22, C 1310+184[7] | |
![{\displaystyle {\begin{smallmatrix}\left[{\ce {Fe}}/{\ce {H}}\right]\end{smallmatrix}}}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/4c0821bd80891e071c08e7c7ee8e022baedf522c)
Messier 53 (also known as M53 or NGC 5024) is a
Coma Berenices constellation.[a] It was discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1775. M53 is one of the more outlying globular clusters, being about 60,000 light-years (18.4 kpc) light-years away from the Galactic Center, and almost the same distance (about 58,000 light-years (17.9 kpc)) from the Solar System. The cluster has a core radius (rc) of 2.18 pc, a half-light radius (rh) of 5.84 pc, and a tidal radius (rtr) of 239.9 pc.[8]
This is considered a
red giant branch show that most are first-generation stars. That is, they did not form from gas recycled from previous generations of stars. This differs from the majority of globular clusters that are more dominated by second generation stars. The second generation stars in NGC 5024 tend to be more concentrated in the core region. Overall, the stellar composition of cluster members is similar to members of the Milky Way halo.[9]
The cluster displays various tidal-like features including clumps and ripples around the cluster, and tails along the cluster's orbit in an east–west direction. A tidal bridge-like structure appears to connect M53 with the close, very diffuse neighbor
Sagittarius dwarf galaxy tidal stream.[8]
Among the variable star population in the cluster, there are 55 known to be RR Lyrae variables. Of these, a majority of 34 display behavior typical of the Blazhko effect, including 23 of type RRc – the largest known population of the latter in any globular cluster.[11] There are also at least three variables of type SX Phe and a semi-regular red giant.[12]
Gallery
-
RGB image of M53 from an earthbound telescope, The Liverpool Telescope, which is a 2 m RC telescope on La Palma -
Messier 53 by Hubble Space Telescope; 3.5′ view
See also
- List of Messier objects
Notes
- ^ Specifically in its south-east of this very mildly northern constellation which is visible from everywhere except Antarctica. However the Sun passes through Virgo (or technically the Earth orbits so as to make the Sun seem to do so) adjacent to the south from 16 September to 30 October. This also makes the cluster mostly risen during day, not night, in the nearest months.
References
- Bibcode:1927BHarO.849...11S.
- ^ S2CID 119183070.
- S2CID 16914232
- ^ a b "Messier 53". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- S2CID 118649860.
- ^ S2CID 51825384.
- ^ "NGC 5024". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
- ^ S2CID 117834526, 109.
- , 5.
- S2CID 119232324
- S2CID 119276561.
- S2CID 119190044.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Messier 53.
- SEDS: Messier Object 53
- Messier 53, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page
- Gray, Meghan. "M53 – Globular Cluster". Deep Sky Videos. Brady Haran.
- Messier 53 on
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