| NGC 5694 | |
| Epoch: | J2000 |
| Class: | VII |
| Constellation: | Hydra |
| Ra: | [1] |
| Dist Ly: | 114,100ly |
| Appmag V: | 10.2[2] |
| Size V: | 3.6 |
| Metal Fe: | –1.74 |
| Age: | 13.44 Gyr |
| Names: | Caldwell 66 |
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 114000ly from the Sun and 96000ly from the Galactic Center[3] and is one of the oldest known globular clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy, forming nearly 12 billion years ago.[4]
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.
The location of NGC 5694 is immediately west of the former constellation Noctua, which includes the stars 54, 55, 56 and 57 Hydrae.