The globular cluster NGC 5286

Abstract

NGC 5286 is a very interesting globular cluster of the southern hemisphere because of its photometric and spectroscopic characteristics. The cluster is located in the direction of the galactic centre rather than in the anticentre (1" = 311°, 57; b" = +10°,58) and at a small altitude over tha galactic plane. The cluster is seen through the Sagitarius Arm of our Galaxy and therefore the stellar field studied shows a strong component of Population I. The reddening of the cluster is E(B-V)=0.47 magnitudes and its distance is of about 6982 pc while the Population I stars projected into the field are located at about 1600 pc which agrees quite well with the Sagitarius arm in this direction (1"= 311°,57). The color-magnitude diagram of NGC 5286 imitates the diagram of clusters with very low metallic content formed in the Halo of our Galaxy. There is a marked predominance of blue stars in the horizontal branch. These stars are located at large projects distances from the cluster center.