NGC 1851 (GC)
Globular Cluster in Columba
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05h 14m 05.5s | -40° 03′ 00.9″ | 12.0′ | 7.2 | 12.4 | II | GC | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
NGC 1851 is a bright globular cluster 39,000 light-years away in Columba. Like M79, evidence suggests it may be a remnant of a captured dwarf galaxy. Notable for two distinct stellar populations identified through HST photometry, an unusual feature shared by only a few globulars (e.g. NGC 2808, ω Cen).
My Observing Notes
30-cm (SkyWatcher 12-inch f/5): Find via the intersection of two lines: one through α and β Columbae, another from Canopus. Easy bright hazy patch in the finderscope. At mag 7.3, the 4' globular resolves very well — compact core gives way to a uniform halo of stars.(Friday, March 2026)
References
Charts
Ultra-wide view (~25° field)
Wide-field view with Telrad rings (4°, 2°, 0.5°)
Finderscope view (9×50 RACI, ~4.4° TFOV)
Eyepiece view — 35 mm Panoptic on 12-inch f/5 (1.6° TFOV)