Discovery of a Tidal Stream Extending from NGC 5053

Abstract

Here we report the discovery of a 6° tidal stream related to NGC 5053 using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. A matched-filter analysis has been employed to optimize the contrast between the cluster and background noise. The stream of tidal debris associated with NGC 5053 corresponds to a projected length of approximately 1.7 kpc at the cluster's distance. The tidal detection is also seen in photometric data obtained at McDonald Observatory. Our result adds further observational evidence that low-concentration clusters are more likely to exhibit stellar tidal extensions. © 2006. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.