NGC 5053

Has anyone observed this very dim globular cluster near M53 in Coma Berenices? I think I was right on its position last night using my 8" dob, at 80x and 120x, but I only saw a hint of light using averted imagination.

Yes, I've seen 5053 in both a 6" and 16", but only in dark skies.

It is considered a challenge object with a dim surface brightness. In fact it is on RASC's (Canada) official list of Challenge Objects. So almost any light pollution would really hurt. In the 16" I was first able to see the some scattered individual stars before seeing the background glow. It is much different than regular globular clusters that have a brighter core. 5053 is almost like someone stole the core, which was my first thought upon finding it.

You probably did see it but may need another observation to confirm. And you could also sketch some surrounding stars and compare the pattern to some photos, such as the DSS surveys.

Mike

Hi Rick,

It is a dim object and its visibility is IMHO determined by both the darknes of your observing site and the transparency. I don't have my observation notes at hand to check the details, but the smallest aperture I have seen it was a 5" refractor.

Clear skies
Tahir Saban
Austria

Rick Wiseman said:
Has anyone observed this very dim globular cluster near M53 in Coma Berenices? I think I was right on its position last night using my 8" dob, at 80x and 120x, but I only saw a hint of light using averted imagination.

Rick Wiseman said:

Has anyone observed this very dim globular cluster near M53 in Coma Berenices? I think I was right on its position last night using my 8" dob, at 80x and 120x, but I only saw a hint of light using averted imagination.

Many times. It is dim and it is loose (Shapley-Sawyer Class V). Frankly, it is "OK" visually from Prude Ranch with my 12.5-inch, but not much more than that.

I caught sight of 5053 on 6/26 in my 10". I was at an excellent site, so it was not too difficult. As others have said, it is pretty faint, and so depends mostly on the darkness of the site.

--geo.