M53 (NGC 5024)
Also known as M53 · M 53 · NGC 5024
M53 (NGC 5024) is a globular star cluster in the constellation Coma Berenices, about 48,680 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Globular star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Coma Berenices |
| Position (J2000) | 13h 12m 55s, +18° 10′ |
| Distance | 48,680 light-years (its light set off about 48,680 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 7.79 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 12.6′ × 12.6′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 923 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M53 (NGC 5024) is highest in the sky at midnight in April. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 88° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 58°. To see it you need binoculars.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Coma Berenices
- Black Eye Galaxy (M64)
- Coma Pinwheel (M99)
- M85 (NGC 4382)
- M88 (NGC 4501)
- M91 (NGC 4548)
- M98 (NGC 4192)
- M100 (NGC 4321)
- Mice Galaxies
Everything in Coma Berenices · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits