NGC 104

Globular cluster NGC 104 (= Lacaille I.1 = Bennett 2 = Caldwell 106), class III, in Tucana

47 Tucanae

[n0104aat.gif]
Right Ascension 00 : 24.1 (h:m)
Declination -72 : 05 (deg:m)
Distance 13.4 (kly)
Visual Brightness 4.03 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 30.9 (arc min)

The second largest and second brightest globular cluster in the skies is situated so much south that, although a conspicuous naked-eye object, it was not discovered before 1751, when Lacaille cataloged it in his list of southern nebulous objects.

The stars of 47 Tucanae are spread over a volume nearly 120 light years across. At their distance of 13,400 light years, they still cover an area of the sky of about the same apparent diameter as the full moon, about 30 minutes of arc. Globular cluster 47 Tucanae is approaching us at roughly 19 km/s.

The image in this page was obtained by David Malin with the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This image is copyrighted and may be used for private purpose only. For any other kind of use, including internet mirroring and storing on CD-ROM, please contact Coral Cooksley of the Anglo Australian Observatory.

  • More information on this image (David Malin)

    In John Caldwell's observing list. In the Astronomical League's Southern Sky Binocular Club list.

    Hartmut Frommert (spider@seds.org)
    Christine Kronberg (smil@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)

    [SEDS] [MAA] [Home] [Non-Messier Indexes]

    Last Modification: 29 Mar 1998, 13:15 MET