Astronomical and Imaging Data

Useful Informations

NGC 6496 is a globular cluster located in the southern constellation of Scorpius. It is a scientifically notable object due to its relatively high metallicity and its status as a member of the Milky Way’s inner halo, placing it in a category of globular clusters with disk-like orbits.

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Physical Characteristics

• Distance: Located approximately 33,000 light-years from Earth.
• Apparent Magnitude: With an apparent magnitude of 8.54, it is a faint object that requires a medium-sized telescope for observation.
• Mass and Age: The cluster has an estimated mass of about 25,000 solar masses and is considered a very old object, with an age of around 12 billion years.
• Concentration: On the Shapley–Sawyer Concentration Scale, NGC 6496 is a Class IX cluster, indicating a low stellar concentration and a loosely packed core.

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Stellar Populations and Metallicity

• Metallicity: NGC 6496 is considered a metal-rich globular cluster, with a metallicity of approximately -1.2 dex. While still metal-poor compared to the Sun, this value is high for a globular cluster.
• Multiple Populations: Spectroscopic studies have found that NGC 6496 contains multiple stellar populations, with stars showing variations in their abundance of light elements like sodium and oxygen. These multiple populations are a common feature in many globular clusters, regardless of their metallicity.
• Kinematics: The cluster’s orbit around the Galactic Center is circular and lies within the inner halo. This, combined with its relatively high metallicity, suggests that it may have a different origin from the vast majority of globular clusters, which are typically metal-poor and located in the outer halo.

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