NGC 5466
Encyclopedia
NGC 5466 is a class XII globular cluster
in the constellation Boötes. Located 51,800 light years from Earth and 52,800 light years from the Galactic center
, it was discovered by William Herschel
on May 17, 1784, as H VI.9. This globular cluster is unusual insofar as it contains a certain blue horizontal branch
of stars, as well as being unusually metal poor like ordinary globular clusters. It is thought to be the source of a stellar stream
discovered in 2006, called the 45 Degree Tidal Stream. This star stream is an approximately 1.4° wide star lane extending from Boötes to Ursa Major
.
Globular cluster
A globular cluster is a spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite. Globular clusters are very tightly bound by gravity, which gives them their spherical shapes and relatively high stellar densities toward their centers. The name of this category of star cluster is...
in the constellation Boötes. Located 51,800 light years from Earth and 52,800 light years from the Galactic center
Galactic Center
The Galactic Center is the rotational center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is located at a distance of 8.33±0.35 kpc from the Earth in the direction of the constellations Sagittarius, Ophiuchus, and Scorpius where the Milky Way appears brightest...
, it was discovered by William Herschel
William Herschel
Sir Frederick William Herschel, KH, FRS, German: Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel was a German-born British astronomer, technical expert, and composer. Born in Hanover, Wilhelm first followed his father into the Military Band of Hanover, but emigrated to Britain at age 19...
on May 17, 1784, as H VI.9. This globular cluster is unusual insofar as it contains a certain blue horizontal branch
Horizontal branch
The horizontal branch is a stage of stellar evolution which immediately follows the red giant branch in stars whose masses are similar to the Sun's...
of stars, as well as being unusually metal poor like ordinary globular clusters. It is thought to be the source of a stellar stream
Stellar stream
This is a list of stellar streams. A stellar stream is an association of stars orbiting a galaxy that was once a globular cluster or dwarf galaxy that has now been torn apart and stretched out along its orbit by tidal forces...
discovered in 2006, called the 45 Degree Tidal Stream. This star stream is an approximately 1.4° wide star lane extending from Boötes to Ursa Major
Ursa Major
Ursa Major , also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. It can best be seen in April...
.
External links
- VizieR, NGC 5466
- SEDS, NGC 5466
- Aladin, Image NGC 5466