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

Large JPEG
22.8 MB
Screensize JPEG
497.4 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
408.6 KB
1280x1024
672.0 KB
1600x1200
1002.0 KB
1920x1200
1.2 MB
2048x1536
1.6 MB

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