NGC 2419 (The Intergalactic Wanderer)

LYNX

RA
07 38 08
DEC
+38 52 54

Type Globular Cluster ???

MAG 10.3



This is one very unique object it was discovered by William Herschel on December 31, 1788 and is at a distance of about 300 000 light years from the center of our galaxy. It is is one of the most distance known globular cluster. It is at nearly twice the distance of the Large Magellanic Cloud from us. The image below will put it in prospective of it to other globular cluster in our galaxy.

Ngc 2419 halo.jpg

I ran across this paper (http://arxiv.org/abs/1209.2705) that thinks that NGC 2419 is not a globular cluster but is a striped out core of a dwarf galaxy. I have thought for many years thought that this was the case as it makes no since that a globular cluster would be this far out in the halo of our galaxy. What do you think?

ngc 2419.jpg

Dose anyone know who named NGC 2419 the Intergalactic Wanderer? I have also seen it called the Intergalactic Tramp?

Next time you have a clear winter night be sure to check out the Intergalactic Wanderer and remember how distant it is. And as always,

"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT VIEWING!