NGC 288
Globular cluster in the constellation Sculptor
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NGC 288 is a globular cluster in the constellation Sculptor. Its visual appearance was described by John Dreyer in 1888.[7] It is located about 1.8° southeast of the galaxy NGC 253, 37′ north-northeast of the South Galactic Pole, 15′ south-southeast of a 9th magnitude star, and encompassed by a half-circular chain of stars that opens on its southwest side.[1] It can be observed through binoculars.[1] It is not very concentrated and has a well resolved, large 3′ dense core that is surrounded by a much more diffuse and irregular 9′ diameter ring.[1] Peripheral members extend farther outward towards the south and especially southwest.[1]
| NGC 288 | |
|---|---|
NGC 288 by Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Channel of the Advanced Camera for Surveys | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Class | X[1] |
| Constellation | Sculptor |
| Right ascension | 00h 52m 45.24s[2] |
| Declination | –26° 34′ 57.4″[2] |
| Distance | 29.22 ± 0.16 kly (8.96 ± 0.05 kpc)[3] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.37[4] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 13′.8[1] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | 4.8×104[5] M☉ |
| Metallicity | [Fe/H] = –1.14[6] dex |
| Estimated age | 13.5 ± 1.1 Gyr[3] |
| Other designations | Melotte 3[4] |
NGC 288 is located in our galaxy’s Galactic halo and exhibits both leading and trailing tails.[8]
