Messier 53
Star cluster in Coma Berenices · 58,000 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 53 in the 3D map →View Messier 53 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Coma Berenices |
| Right ascension | 13h 12m 55s |
| Declination | +18° 10′ |
| Object distance | 58,000 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 7.8 |
| Apparent size | 9′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 151.8 light-years across |
| Also known as | M53 · NGC 5024 |
Messier 53 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 5024) in Coma Berenices — a gravitationally bound family of stars sharing a common origin. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 9 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 7.8, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Although it appears about 9′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 151.8 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 53
Messier 53 lies in the constellation Coma Berenices and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes.
See Messier 53 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 53 and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position, magnitude and angular size from the OpenNGC catalogue (Mattia Verga).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- Pleiades — star cluster
- Hercules Cluster — star cluster
- Small Sgr Star Cloud — star cluster
- Messier 25 — star cluster
- Messier 103 — star cluster