NGC 5694

NGC 5694
The core of NGC 5694 imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Class	VII[1]
Constellation	Hydra
Right ascension	14h 39m 36.5s[2]
Declination	−26° 32′ 18.0″[2]
Distance	114,100ly[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)	10.2[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)	3.6′[1]
Physical characteristics
Metallicity	${\displaystyle {\begin{smallmatrix}\left[{\ce {Fe}}/{\ce {H}}\right]\end{smallmatrix}}}$ = –1.74[3] dex
Estimated age	13.44 Gyr[3]
Other designations	Caldwell 66
See also: Globular cluster, List of globular clusters

NGC 5694 (also known as Caldwell 66) is a globular cluster in the constellation Hydra. It was discovered in 1784 by William Herschel.

This globular cluster is located at a distance of 114,000 light-years (35,000 pc) from the Sun and 96,000 light-years (29,000 pc) from the Galactic Center^[4] and is one of the oldest known globular clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy, forming nearly 12 billion years ago.^[5]

Its chemical composition is highly peculiar, being highly (to nearly solar levels) enriched in alpha elements, suggesting an extragalactic origin before being captured by the Milky Way.^[6]

The location of NGC 5694 is immediately west of the former constellation Noctua, which includes the stars 54, 55, 56 and 57 Hydrae.

• NGC 4372

• Media related to NGC 5694 at Wikimedia Commons
• NGC 5694 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images