Messier 53

Messier 53 (also known as M53 or NGC 5024) is a globular cluster in the Coma Berenices constellation.[lower-alpha 1] It was discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1775. M53 is one of the more outlying globular clusters, being about 60,000 light-years (18.4 kpc) light-years away from the Galactic Center, and almost the same distance (about 58,000 light-years (17.9 kpc)) from the Solar System. The cluster has a core radius (rc) of 2.18 pc, a half-light radius (rh) of 5.84 pc, and a tidal radius (rtr) of 239.9 pc.[8]

Messier 53
Globular cluster Messier 53 in Coma Berenices
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassV[1]
ConstellationComa Berenices
Right ascension13h 12m 55.25s[2]
Declination+18° 10′ 05.4″[2]
Distance58×10^3 ly (18 kpc)[3]
Apparent magnitude (V)7.6[4]
Apparent dimensions (V)13.0′[4]
Physical characteristics
Mass8.26×105[5] M☉
Metallicity = –1.86[6] dex
Estimated age12.67 Gyr[6]
Other designationsM53, NGC 5024, GCl 22, C 1310+184[7]

This is considered a metal-poor cluster and at one time was thought to be the most metal-poor cluster in the Milky Way.[8] Abundance measurements of cluster members on the red giant branch show that most are first-generation stars. That is, they did not form from gas recycled from previous generations of stars. This differs from the majority of globular clusters that are more dominated by second generation stars. The second generation stars in NGC 5024 tend to be more concentrated in the core region. Overall, the stellar composition of cluster members is similar to members of the Milky Way halo.[9]

The cluster displays various tidal-like features including clumps and ripples around the cluster, and tails along the cluster's orbit in an east–west direction. A tidal bridge-like structure appears to connect M53 with the close, very diffuse neighbor NGC 5053, as well as an envelope surrounding both clusters. These may indicate a dynamic tidal interaction has occurred between the two clusters; a possibly unique occurrence within the Milky Way since there are no known binary clusters within the galaxy.[10] In addition, M53 is a candidate member of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy tidal stream.[8]

Among the variable star population in the cluster, there are 55 known to be RR Lyrae variables. Of these, a majority of 34 display behavior typical of the Blazhko effect, including 23 of type RRc – the largest known population of the latter in any globular cluster.[11] There are also at least three variables of type SX Phe and a semi-regular red giant.[12]

  • RGB image of M53 from an earthbound telescope, The Liverpool Telescope, which is a 2 m RC telescope on La Palma.
    RGB image of M53 from an earthbound telescope, The Liverpool Telescope, which is a 2 m RC telescope on La Palma.
  • Messier 53 by Hubble Space Telescope; 3.5′ view
    Messier 53 by Hubble Space Telescope; 3.5′ view

See also

Notes
  1. Specifically in its south-east of this very mildly northern constellation which is visible from everywhere except Antarctica. However the Sun passes through Virgo (or technically the Earth orbits so as to make the Sun seem to do so) adjacent to the south from 16 September to 30 October. This also makes the cluster mostly risen during day, not night, in the nearest months.

References
  1. Shapley, Harlow; Sawyer, Helen B. (August 1927), "A Classification of Globular Clusters", Harvard College Observatory Bulletin, 849 (849): 11–14, Bibcode:1927BHarO.849...11S.
  2. Goldsbury, Ryan; et al. (December 2010), "The ACS Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters. X. New Determinations of Centers for 65 Clusters", The Astronomical Journal, 140 (6): 1830–1837, arXiv:1008.2755, Bibcode:2010AJ....140.1830G, doi:10.1088/0004-6256/140/6/1830, S2CID 119183070.
  3. Hessels, J. W. T.; et al. (November 2007), "A 1.4 GHz Arecibo Survey for Pulsars in Globular Clusters", The Astrophysical Journal, 670 (1): 363–378, arXiv:0707.1602, Bibcode:2007ApJ...670..363H, doi:10.1086/521780, S2CID 16914232
  4. "Messier 53". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. Boyles, J.; et al. (November 2011), "Young Radio Pulsars in Galactic Globular Clusters", The Astrophysical Journal, 742 (1): 51, arXiv:1108.4402, Bibcode:2011ApJ...742...51B, doi:10.1088/0004-637X/742/1/51, S2CID 118649860.
  6. Forbes, Duncan A.; Bridges, Terry (May 2010), "Accreted versus in situ Milky Way globular clusters", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 404 (3): 1203–1214, arXiv:1001.4289, Bibcode:2010MNRAS.404.1203F, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.16373.x, S2CID 51825384.
  7. "NGC 5024". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
  8. Boberg, Owen M.; et al. (May 2015), "Chemical Abundances in NGC 5053: A Very Metal-poor and Dynamically Complex Globular Cluster", The Astrophysical Journal, 804 (2): 12, arXiv:1504.01791, Bibcode:2015ApJ...804..109B, doi:10.1088/0004-637X/804/2/109, S2CID 117834526, 109.
  9. Boberg, Owen M.; et al. (June 2016), "Chemical Abundances in NGC 5024 (M53): A Mostly First Generation Globular Cluster", The Astrophysical Journal, 824 (1): 15, Bibcode:2016ApJ...824....5B, doi:10.3847/0004-637X/824/1/5, 5.
  10. Chun, Sang-Hyun; et al. (February 2010), "A Wide-Field Photometric Survey for Extratidal Tails Around Five Metal-Poor Globular Clusters in the Galactic Halo", The Astronomical Journal, 139 (2): 606−625, arXiv:0912.3540, Bibcode:2010AJ....139..606C, doi:10.1088/0004-6256/139/2/606, S2CID 119232324
  11. Arellano Ferro, A.; et al. (February 2012), "The unusually large population of Blazhko variables in the globular cluster NGC 5024 (M53)", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 420 (2): 1333−1346, arXiv:1111.0216, Bibcode:2012MNRAS.420.1333A, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.20119.x, S2CID 119276561.
  12. Bramich, D. M.; et al. (August 2012), "Investigation of variable star candidates in the globular cluster NGC 5024 (M53)", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 424 (4): 2722−2732, arXiv:1205.5112, Bibcode:2012MNRAS.424.2722B, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2012.21360.x, S2CID 119190044.
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