Globular Cluster Omega Centauri

About This Photograph

This is the great globular cluster of the southern hemisphere, and many would say of the entire night sky. From the observing site at Canyon of the Eagles park in central Texas, it only reaches an altitude of about 11.5 degrees above the horizon, making it a bit of a challenge to observe and image from this location.

The cluster is composed of several million stars, and lies at a distance of about 17,300 light years from Earth. It is the most massive and physically largest globular cluster of the Milky Way, spanning some 280 light years.