16 Jun 2025
This globular cluster is best known as 47 Tucanae. Bright, concentrated but small core. Many well-defined stars away from the core. It is the second brightest and second largest GC. Its diameter is 120 LY.
When I was in New Zealand, I very much enjoyed being able to view Omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae with equal ease. Overall, I found 47 Tucanae to be more impressive than Omega Centauri. That is mainly due to 47 Tucanae having greater concentration towards its core.
Shapley Sawyer Classification: III
Distance: 14,679 LY
Type: Halo Globular
Position w.r.t. core of galaxy: Below the MY disc and towards to core. It appears to be in the Small Magellanic Cloud but is actually well in front of it.
Any stars resolved: Yes
Undergoing Core Collapse: No
NGC 104
1 credit