NGC 2419

Click on image for larger version.

NGC 2419 is often called the "Intergalactic Wanderer" because of its very remote distance from our galaxy (in excess of 250,000 light years away). It could very well be that this cluster some how attained an escape velocity and has left the gravitational confines of our Milky Way. The view looking back at us must be remarkable. This cluster is intrinsically quite bright and if it was at the same distance as famous clusters like M13 or M5 it would outshine them! However, the reality is that this cluster only hints at its blazing glory with the aid of sensitive CCD cameras and telescopes.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robot
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 45 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 10 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 10 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 10 minutes binned 2x2
  • Digital Development (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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    Minimum credit line: Doug Matthews and Charles Betts/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 10/23/2003