Globular Cluster Palomar 2

Palomar 2
Palomar 2: Globular cluster in Auriga; 500 mm Cassegrain 3625 mm f/7.2; SBIG STL11K; 80+3*20 min LRGB; Bernese Highlands; © 2011 Radek Chromik [32]

History

The globular cluster Palomar 2 was discovered in the 1950s by the American astronomer Albert George Wilson in the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey photo plates. George O. Abell published a list of 13 globular clusters and 73 planetary nebulae in 1955. He noted «highly obscured». [331]

Physical Properties

Palomar 2 is a loose globular cluster of Shapley–Sawyer concentration class IX. The stars appear reddened due to the high absorption by interstellar gas due to the great distance. [331]

Palomar 2
Palomar 2: Image taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. © ESA/Hubble & NASA [373]

The globular cluster was studied in a study with the Hubble Space Telescope. The age has been estimated at 13.25 ± 0.12 billion years. It has about 140'000 solar masses. At a distance of 26.1 ± 1.5 kpc (about 85'000 light years) from the Sun, it is located in the outer halo of our Milky Way. [372]

Further infos at CDS: Palomar 2

Finder Chart

The globular cluster Palomar 2 is located in the constellation Auriga. The three stars of 7.6 to 5.5 mag within a 2° field of view help identifying the position of the globular cluster. The best observation time is September to April.

Finder Chart Globular Cluster Palomar 2
Globular Cluster Palomar 2 in constellation Auriga. Charts created using SkySafari 6 Pro and STScI Digitized Sky Survey. Limiting magnitudes: Constellation chart ~6.5 mag, DSS2 close-ups ~20 mag. [149, 160]

Visual Observation

400 mm Aperture: The globular cluster is much dimmer than one would expect from the DSS closeups, probably due to reddening of galactic dust. Using averted vision, it is barely recognizeable as a fuzzy patch. — 400 mm f/4.5 Taurus Dobsonian, Hasliberg, SQM 21.0, 3. 2. 2024, Bernd Nies

More Objects Nearby (±15°)

References