Coma Berenices Dwarf

Discovered in 1959 by Albert George Wilson, the Coma Berenices Dwarf Galaxy is a dim and diminutive satellite of the Milky Way situated in the constellation Coma Berenices. Classified as a dwarf spheroidal galaxy, it possesses a spherical or slightly elongated structure and is characterized by its extremely faint luminosity, boasting an absolute magnitude of approximately -5.1, making it one of the least luminous galaxies known. Composed of old stars with low metallicity, indicative of a primitive stellar population, this galaxy shows no signs of recent star formation. Located at an estimated distance of 44,000 light-years from Earth and approximately 42,000 light-years from the Milky Way's center, the Coma Berenices Dwarf is undergoing tidal disruption due to gravitational forces from our galaxy, resulting in the formation of tidal tails and a stretched shape. As with many dwarf galaxies, it is believed to be dominated by dark matter, contributing to its unique dynamics and interaction with the Milky Way. The study of the Coma Berenices Dwarf Galaxy provides valuable insights into the properties and evolutionary processes of these small cosmic entities within the broader galactic context.