Deep space
NGC 1261
Globular cluster · C87 · NGC 1261
Globular cluster in Horologium
Photo: Lithopsian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
NGC 1261 is a globular cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Horologium, first discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop in 1826. The cluster is located at a distance of 53 kilolight-years from the Sun, and 59 kilolight-years from the Galactic Center. It is about 10.24 billion years old with 341,000 times the mass of the Sun. The cluster does not display the normal indications of core collapse, but evidence suggests it may have instead passed through a post core-collapse bounce state within the past two billion years. The central luminosity density is 2.22 L☉·pc−3, which is low for a globular cluster. Despite this, it has a Shapley–Sawyer Concentration Class of II, indicating a dense central concentration.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~55,500 light-years
Apparent mag.
+8.4
Apparent size
5.1′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
C87 · NGC 1261
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 87 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as NGC 1261.
- Found in the constellation Horologium.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
