Credit: Armen Akopian
Astronomical and Imaging Data
| RA: | 17h 50m 51.70s |
| DEC: | -34° 35′ 57.0″ |
| MAG: | 10.08 |
| Diameter: | 7.6′ |
| Const: | Sco |
| OTA | ASA 1000RC |
| Focal Length | 6500mm |
| Camera | FLI PL16803 |
| Site | El Sauce, Chile |
| Sky Quality | Bortle 1 |
Useful Informations
NGC 6453 is a globular cluster located in the constellation Scorpius. It is a relatively faint and moderately concentrated cluster whose scientific interest lies in its location within the inner Milky Way and its relatively high metallicity.
Physical Properties & Location
- Distance: Located approximately 29,300 light-years from Earth. It’s situated close to the Galactic plane and within the Galactic bulge region.
- Apparent Magnitude: With an apparent magnitude of 10.08, it is a faint object that requires a medium-sized telescope for observation.
- Concentration: NGC 6453 is a Shapley-Sawyer Concentration Class IX cluster, indicating a low stellar concentration.
- Galactic Association: Because of its position and orbit, NGC 6453 is considered a member of the Galactic bulge population of globular clusters.
Stellar Populations and Metallicity
- Metallicity: NGC 6453 is a metal-rich globular cluster, with a metallicity of approximately -1.16 dex. This is typical for globular clusters found within the Milky Way’s bulge.
- Multiple Stellar Populations: Like many other globular clusters, NGC 6453 contains multiple stellar populations, with stars showing distinct variations in their chemical composition, particularly in light elements like sodium and oxygen.
- RR Lyrae Variables: The cluster contains a population of RR Lyrae variable stars, which are often used as standard candles to measure distances. Studies of these stars in NGC 6453 have helped to constrain its distance and properties.