Observations of The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)

Kron 3

Andrew Murrell

On the southern outskirts of 47 Tucana is the globular Kron 3.

The cluster is easily visible through on 8" scope in a lightly polluted sky and may be visible in a 5" scope from a dark sky. It lies between 2, 10^th magnitude stars with a 3^rd, 10^th magnitude star 3½ arc minutes to the Northeast. The surface brightness of the cluster is even across the face with no central condensation. The outer edge of the cluster fades rapidly into the sky background and is fairly well defined. The apparent size of the cluster is 1½ arc minutes and looks very nice with the crowded background of 47 Tucana. Large telescopes show a degree of mottling to the cluster but it does not even begin to resolve in the 20".

Max Gardner

Observed with an 18" f4.5 NGT. Appeared as a oval haze with the long axis east/west. The cluster was unresolved, set between two 12^th magnitude stars in a line of 3. Slightly condensed to the centre with irregular soft edges.