Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2001 April 22
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

Globular Cluster 47 Tucanae
Credit: W. Keel (U. Alabama in Tuscaloosa) et al., 1.54-m Telescope, Chile

Explanation: Stars come in bunches. Of the over 200 globular star clusters that orbit the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy, 47 Tucanae is the second brightest globular cluster (behind Omega Centauri). Known to some affectionately as 47 Tuc or NGC 104, it is only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Light takes about 20,000 years to reach us from 47 Tuc which can be seen near the SMC in the constellation of Tucana. Red Giant stars are particularly easy to see in this picture. The dynamics of stars near the centre of 47 Tuc are not well understood, particularly why there are so few binary systems there.

Tomorrow's picture: Blast Off to ISS

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Technical Rep.: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
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& Michigan Tech. U.