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Globular cluster · Libra

NGC 5897

Deep skyNGC 5897

Scientific overview

NGC 5897 is a globular cluster in the constellation Libra. It shines at apparent magnitude 8.52 and spans about 9.9 arcminutes of sky.

Observation guide

Difficulty
Small telescope
Recommended equipment
≈ 80–100 mm telescope
Best observed
Summer (S. evening sky)
Best hemisphere
Southern

Guidance follows standard observing practice, derived from the object's real magnitude and position. A dark, moonless sky always helps.

Location in the sky

Constellation
Libra
RA / Dec
15.2901h / -21.0101°
Hemisphere
Southern
Season
Summer

Precision measurements

Distances and velocities from SIMBAD · NGC 5897

Radial velocity101.2 ± 0.2 km/sSIMBAD · measured
Right ascension (ICRS)229.351667 degSIMBAD · measured
Declination (ICRS)-21.010111 degSIMBAD · measured
Full field-level provenance
  • Radial velocity: Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · rvz_radvel · 2018MNRAS.478.1520B · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11
  • Right ascension (ICRS): Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · ra · 2006MNRAS.365.1357D · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11
  • Declination (ICRS): Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · dec · 2006MNRAS.365.1357D · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11

Physical size is derived from the OpenNGC angular size and the catalogued distance (small-angle: size = angle × distance). This is a Galactic object: its Doppler shift is shown as a radial velocity, not a cosmological redshift. Fields a source did not provide are omitted, never invented.

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • OpenNGCOpenNGC (M. Verga) — NGC/IC, Messier, and Caldwell catalogue data

    Openly-licensed deep-sky catalogue: object types, positions, magnitudes, sizes, morphology, and cross-identifiers.