NGC 2419 -- Globular Cluster in Lynx
Intergalactic Wanderer
This faint Globular Cluster is residing at a distance of 270,000 light years – that is further than
the Large Magellanic Cloud (a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way). However, its common name
of the “Intergalactic Wanderer” is likely misleading, since it is gravitationally bound to our galaxy.
At that distance I did not expect to resolve any of the stars in NGC 2419; and it proved harder to
see than its listed 10.3 magnitude suggested. It was very diffuse/faint and uniform (no indication
of a core could be seen in the 110mm refractor). I had to work to see this distant globular, but I
did have the advantage of having a pair of brighter stars pointing to it (so I knew where to look).
Bumping up the magnification did the trick. It appeared to me more like what I expected a
reflection nebula to look like. An interesting but difficult object in the small refractor.
the Large Magellanic Cloud (a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way). However, its common name
of the “Intergalactic Wanderer” is likely misleading, since it is gravitationally bound to our galaxy.
At that distance I did not expect to resolve any of the stars in NGC 2419; and it proved harder to
see than its listed 10.3 magnitude suggested. It was very diffuse/faint and uniform (no indication
of a core could be seen in the 110mm refractor). I had to work to see this distant globular, but I
did have the advantage of having a pair of brighter stars pointing to it (so I knew where to look).
Bumping up the magnification did the trick. It appeared to me more like what I expected a
reflection nebula to look like. An interesting but difficult object in the small refractor.