NGC 6541

NGC 6541
NGC 6541, imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassIII[1]
ConstellationCorona Australis
Right ascension18h 08m 02.36s[2]
Declination–43° 42′ 53.6″[2]
Distance24.8 ± 0.3 kly (7.6 ± 0.1 kpc)[3]
Apparent magnitude (V)6.3[4]
Apparent dimensions (V)15′[4]
Physical characteristics
Mass5.72×105[5] M☉
Metallicity = –1.53[6] dex
Estimated age12.93 Gyr[6]
Other designationsNGC 6541, Caldwell 78[7]
See also: Globular cluster, List of globular clusters

NGC 6541 (also known as Caldwell 78) is a globular cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Corona Australis. The globular cluster was discovered by Niccolò Cacciatore at the Palermo Astronomical Observatory, Sicily, on March 19, 1826. It was independently found by James Dunlop on July 3, 1826. The cluster has an apparent visual magnitude of 6.3 and an angular diameter of 15′. It is visible with binoculars or a small telescope.[4]

Located at a distance of 24.8 kly (7.6 kpc) from the Sun,[3] it is orbiting within the central region of the Milky Way about 7.2 kly (2.2 kpc) from the Galactic Center.[8] It is considered a metal-poor inner halo cluster, being the third most metal-poor globular cluster within 9.8 kly (3 kpc) of the center.[8] The cluster has 5.72×105 times the mass of the Sun.[5] It is estimated to be around 12.9 billion years old,[6] and is believed to have undergone core collapse.[8] A total of 94 blue straggler members have been identified,[9] as well as three W Ursae Majoris and nine SX Phoenicis variables.[10]

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  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference aj140_6_1830 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Baumgardt_Vasiliev_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference O'Meara_2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference apj742_1_51 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference mnras404_3_1203 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Lee_Carney_2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Raso_et_al_2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fiorentino_et_al_2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).