The globular star cluster 47 Tucanae
This bright cluster of stars is 47 Tucanae (NGC 104), shown here in an image taken by ESO’s VISTA (Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy) from the Paranal Observatory in Chile. This cluster is located around 15 000 light-years away from us and contains millions of stars, some of which are unusual and exotic. This image was taken as part of the VISTA Magellanic Cloud survey, a project that is scanning the region of the Magellanic Clouds, two small galaxies that are very close to our Milky Way.
Credit:ESO/M.-R. Cioni/VISTA Magellanic Cloud survey.
Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit
About the Image
| Id: | eso1302a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 10 January 2013, 12:00 |
| Related releases: | eso1302 |
| Size: | 8246 x 8246 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 104 |
| Type: | Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular |
| Distance: | 15000 light years |
| Constellation: | Tucana |
| Category: | Star Clusters |
Image Formats
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 0 24 5.40 |
| Position (Dec): | -72° 4' 53.39" |
| Field of view: | 46.89 x 46.89 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 6.3° right of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared Y | 1.03 μm | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Infrared J | 1.25 μm | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Infrared Ks | 2.16 μm | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |