C80 — Omega Centauri
Globular Cluster in Centaurus
About
Omega Centauri holds around 10 million stars, about 17,000 light-years away, and outweighs every other cluster of its kind in our galaxy. It may be what remains of a dwarf galaxy's centre, and it can be seen without a telescope.
Imaging tips
- At 670–1120 mm on APS-C (1030–1720 mm full frame) the 36′ cluster spans a third to half of the frame, so a wide lens shows only a small cluster.
- Published examples of this cluster were shot both with mono cameras and LRGB filters and with one-shot colour cameras and DSLRs, so either camera type works.
- Never rises above the horizon from 50°N (peaks about 8° below it) and reaches only about 8° from 35°N. Best in March and April.
Facts
- Size
- 36′
- Magnitude
- 3.7
- Coordinates
- RA 13h 26.8m, Dec −47° 29′
- Framing, APS-C
- 670–1120 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 1030–1720 mm
- Best months
- Mar, Apr
- Peak altitude
- never rises from 50°N, 8° from 35°N