NGC 6541 (also known as Caldwell 78) is a globular cluster in the southern constellation of Corona Australis. It is estimated to be around 14 billion years old.[6]
NGC 6541 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Class | III[1] |
Constellation | Corona Australis |
Right ascension | 18h 08m 02.36s[2] |
Declination | –43° 42′ 53.6″[2] |
Distance | 22.8 kly (7.0 kpc)[3] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.3 |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 15′ |
Physical characteristics | |
Absolute magnitude | −8.52 |
Mass | 5.72×105[4] M☉ |
Metallicity | = –1.53[5] dex |
Estimated age | 12.93 Gyr[5] |
Other designations | Caldwell 78 |
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 is relatively small, having just 94 blue straggler stars.[7]