Astr111 Photography Projects, Spring 2007

NGC 2419 Globular Cluster, Megan Carr

The image above is what is known as a 'globular cluster' which is defined as a "tightly packed, spherically shaped group of thousands to millions of stars" (see Fix 529). NGC 2419 is just one of the many globular clusters found in the universe. NGC 2419 is sometimes referred to as the "Intergalactic Wanderer" because it is debated as to whether or not it is actually part of the Milky Way Galaxy. It has been suggested that it has perhaps traveled outside the gravitational pull of the center of the Milky Way itself. It was discovered by William Herschell on New Years Eve 1788 in the constellation Lynx.

The image above was taken from the Rehoboth Observatory. In it one can clearly see the many stars making up the globular cluster on the outer edges of the spherical shape while others are less defined and make up the large light portion of the sphere. The cluster itself is approximately 300,000 light years from the earth and is approximately 4.1 arc min in size.

References:
NGC 4219: The Intergalactic Wanderer." SEDS: Students for the Exploration and development of Space. 12 Mar. 1998. SEDS . 3 Apr. 2007 <http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n2419.html>.

Schmidling, Jack. "NGC 2419: the Galactic Wanderer in Lynx." Jack Schmidling Productions, Inc. 3 Apr. 2007 <http://schmidling.com/ngc2419.htm>.

"Globular Star Clusters." SEDS: Students for the Expolration and Development of Space. 15 Mar. 2005. SEDS. 3 Apr. 2007 <http://www.seds.org/messier/glob.html>.

Fix, John D. Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier. Vol. 1. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2006. 3 Apr. 2007.