This is a list of galaxies with richest known globular cluster systems. As of 2019, the galaxy NGC 6166 has the richest globular cluster system, with 39 000 globular clusters. Other galaxies with rich globular cluster systems are NGC 4874, NGC 4889, NGC 3311 and Messier 87. For comparison, the Milky Way has a poor globular cluster system, with only 150-180 globular clusters. Galaxy ImageNumber of globular clusters NotesNGC 6166 39 000 ± 2000 Richest known globular cluster systemUGC 10143 35,000 Richest globular cluster system in Abell 2147NGC 4874 18 700 ± 2260 Richest globular cluster system in Coma ClusterNGC 3311 16 500 ± 2000 Richest globular cluster system in southern part of the sky and in Hydra ClusterMessier 87 12 000 ± 800 Richest globular cluster system in Virgo Supercluster and richest in Messier Catalog. Also richest within 100 million light-years. Data from 2006 surveyNGC 4889 11 000 ± 1340 Largest galaxy in this list (diameter is about 1050 000 light-years)IC 4051 6700 ± 530 Richest globular cluster system in IC catalogNGC 1395 6000 ± 1100 Richest globular cluster system in Eridanus Cluster, divided into two populations (red and blue)NGC 1399 6000 ± 600 Richest globular cluster system in Fornax Cluster, most clusters are givenMessier 49 5900 Messier 60 5100Messier 86 3800 Richest globular cluster system in Markarian's ChainNGC 6861 3000 ± 300 NGC 1600 2850 Messier 59 2200 Messier 89 2000 Data from 2006 surveyMessier 84 1775 ± 150 Sombrero Galaxy 1600 ± 400 Richest globular cluster system around named galaxyCentaurus A 1450 ± 160 NGC 4278 NGC 4926 1300 ± 300Maffei 1 1100 Closest galaxy in this list (distance is about 11 000 000 light-years)
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