NGC 6124 - A galaxy inside our galaxy?

[david_lexicon]

The attached image show that a galaxy NGC6124 is only 1533 light years away. That makes it inside our galaxy. I cannot understand this anomaly.

Thanks.

 

[John]

NGC 6124 is an open star cluster, not a galaxy. Most references that I've seen have it at 18,000 light years distance. So no anomaly.

Welcome to the forum, by the way

 

Edited June 25, 2021 by John

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @david_lexicon and welcome to SGL. 

I was just going to say the same as @John says above.

[globular]

Skysafari says the distance is 510pc (=1700ly)  but in the description says it's 18,600 ly.

A quick google seems to suggest it's not just Skysafari that list both of these measures.

e.g. wikipedia entry:

 

I though 1pc = 3.26ly but that means 512 pc=1770 ly    and    18600 ly=5705 pc 

So which is it?

Or maybe it's not an inconsistency and I'm comparing apples and pears?

[Carbon Brush]

Skymap Pro doesn't enter the distance argument.😄
However, in citing data from two catalogues, it highlights a size discrepancy. 40" or 29".🤨
With mag 5.8 and 100 stars in (approximately) the same apparent diameter as Jupiter, it has to be worth look on a dark night when seeing is good.
What I'm saying is to enjoy the view and leave involved data aquisition to the professionals.

David.

[Epick Crom]

15 hours ago, david_lexicon said:

The attached image show that a galaxy NGC6124 is only 1533 light years away. That makes it inside our galaxy. I cannot understand this anomaly.

Thanks.

 

Hi David. NGC 6124 is a beautiful open star cluster in Scorpius, within our galaxy. Just finished observing it. Nice object!

[david_lexicon]

8 hours ago, Epick Crom said:

Hi David. NGC 6124 is a beautiful open star cluster in Scorpius, within our galaxy. Just finished observing it. Nice object!

Wow. I wish I could see it. Thanks.

[david_lexicon]

On 25/06/2021 at 23:10, John said:

NGC 6124 is an open star cluster, not a galaxy. Most references that I've seen have it at 18,000 light years distance. So no anomaly.

Welcome to the forum, by the way

 

Yes, you are right. It is a star cluster. I did not pay much attention with the description information. Great forum.

[david_lexicon]

8 hours ago, Epick Crom said:

Hi David. NGC 6124 is a beautiful open star cluster in Scorpius, within our galaxy. Just finished observing it. Nice object!

You're right. It is not far away though.

[david_lexicon]

13 hours ago, Carbon Brush said:

Skymap Pro doesn't enter the distance argument.😄
However, in citing data from two catalogues, it highlights a size discrepancy. 40" or 29".🤨
With mag 5.8 and 100 stars in (approximately) the same apparent diameter as Jupiter, it has to be worth look on a dark night when seeing is good.
What I'm saying is to enjoy the view and leave involved data aquisition to the professionals.

David.

Great answer. Thanks.

[wimvb]

Simbad cites two distance measurements, 470 and 559 pc.

http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=%402313487&Name=NGC++6124&submit=display+all+measurements#lab_meas