When is the best time to observe Caldwell 25?

Caldwell 25 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Caldwell 25 located in the sky?

Caldwell 25 lies in the constellation Lynx at right ascension 07h 38m and declination +38° 53′.

What telescope do I need to see Caldwell 25?

At magnitude 10.4, Caldwell 25 is best observed with a 6-inch (150 mm) or larger telescope.

Caldwell 25 — Globular Cluster in Lynx

NGC 2419

Globular Cluster Fair (39/100)

Magnitude 10.4^m GlobularCluster Lynx Visible

Credit: NASA Hubble. License: CC BY 2.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

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About Intergalactic Wanderer

Description

The Intergalactic Wanderer (NGC 2419) is a globular cluster in Lynx, about 275,000 light-years from Earth and 300,000 light-years from the galactic center. It is one of the most remote globular clusters associated with the Milky Way.

Observing Tips

A small, faint, round glow in an 8-inch telescope. Despite its brightness (mag 10.4), its enormous distance means it cannot be resolved into individual stars with amateur equipment. Best in winter and spring evenings.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on December 31, 1788. It earned the nickname "Intergalactic Wanderer" because it was once thought to be unbound from the Milky Way, though modern measurements show it is gravitationally bound.

Fun Facts

NGC 2419 is so remote that it takes about 3 billion years to complete one orbit around the Milky Way. It is nearly as luminous as Omega Centauri (C80) and may be the stripped core of a dwarf galaxy absorbed by the Milky Way.