Globular Cluster IC 4499 in the constellation Apus
IC 4499 is a rather unknown but fascinating globular cluster located in the constellation Apus (the Bird of Paradise). With an extremely southern declination of -82°, it is the southernmost globular cluster of our Milky Way in the sky. From Namibia, it is circumpolar, meaning it remains above the horizon all year round, although it reaches a maximum altitude of only about 30°.
Classified as concentration class XI, IC 4499 is one of the more loosely structured globular clusters. Even its central region exhibits a relatively sparse distribution of stars, allowing it to be well resolved into individual stars.
Particularly striking is the presence of galactic cirrus, which appears as faint, filamentary structures across the entire field of view. These interstellar dust clouds lie significantly closer to us than IC 4499 and reflect the diffuse light of the Milky Way.
| Date: | 30.05.-03.06.2025 |
| Optics: | Planewave CDK 14 with Televue 0.8x reducer |
| Aperture: | 350 mm |
| Focal Length: | 2050 mm |
| Camera: | QHY268M |
| Exposure: | R:G:B 45:44:42 x 300 s |
| Location: | Gemsbock Observatory, Rooisand Desert Ranch, Namibia |
| Processing: | PixInsight, Photoshop |
| Diameter: | 12 light years |
| Distance: | 50,000 light years |
