NGC 2419 — Globular Cluster in Lynx
About NGC 2419
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.
Observe
1Properties
Position & Identifiers
2How easy to spot?
| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | Medium | Hard+ | Hard+ |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Easy | Medium+ | Medium+ |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Easy | Easy | Medium+ |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
3Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
4
Eyepiece View
NGC 2419 · 4.5′ diameter · N up, E left
5
Best Magnification
6Metallicity
[Fe/H] = -2.15 — these stars formed from gas about 141× poorer in iron than the Sun.
7Concentration class
Shapley-Sawyer class V — moderately concentrated core.
Explore
8
Classification Decoder
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
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