C104
Globular Cluster in Tucana
About
NGC 362 is a globular cluster found in Tucana, roughly 29,000 light-years from us. On the sky the Small Magellanic Cloud lies just south of it, though the two are unrelated. A compact core and a chemical makeup richer in heavy elements than most globulars set it apart, and the latter suggests it formed later than its peers.
Imaging tips
- At 2200–3670 mm on APS-C the cluster fills a third to half of the frame, so it needs a long focal length.
- One imager used LRGB on an 8-inch f/5.75 Newtonian under semi-urban skies.
- The much larger 47 Tucanae lies roughly 3.3° away, so it fits only in a wide-field frame.
- At 20.3 mag/arcsec² it is fairly bright for its size. Best in September and October, but it never rises from 35°N or 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 11′
- Magnitude
- 6.5
- Coordinates
- RA 1h 3.2m, Dec −70° 51′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2200–3670 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3380–5630 mm
- Best months
- Sep, Oct
- Peak altitude
- never rises from 50°N, never rises from 35°N