NGC 362: A Young and Dense Globular Cluster in Tucana

Behold NGC 362, a stunning globular cluster residing in the constellation Tucana. This compact collection of stars, located approximately 27,000 light-years away, offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse populations of our Milky Way.

While appearing close to the Small Magellanic Cloud in the night sky, NGC 362 is actually a member of the Milky Way's halo population. What makes this cluster particularly intriguing is its relative youth. At an estimated 10-11 billion years old, it's younger than many of its Galactic globular cluster cousins, which often exceed 12 billion years. Its rich metal content further suggests a possible origin from a dwarf galaxy that was later absorbed by the Milky Way.

NGC 362 is classified as a post-core-collapse cluster, boasting an exceptionally dense and luminous core. Its half-light radius is a mere 2.8 arcminutes, translating to a diameter of about 22 light-years. High-resolution imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed hundreds of blue stragglers – stars that appear younger and hotter than the cluster's main sequence. These enigmatic stars are thought to form through stellar mergers or mass transfer within binary systems, processes that are amplified in the crowded core of this cluster.

The cluster is also a treasure trove of variable stars, with over 40 RR Lyrae stars identified. These pulsating stars are crucial tools, serving as standard candles for measuring distances within and beyond our own galaxy.

Imaging Details:

This breathtaking image was brought to life through careful acquisition and processing:

• Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 8"
• Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
• Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
• Exposure: 60 sec × 189 frames (~3.1 hours total)
• Filter: UV/IR cut
• Location: Bortle 6 skies, Brisbane, Australia
• Accessories: PrimaLuceLab EAGLE5S, PrimaLuceLab ECCO 2, ZWO EAF
• Software: PixInsight, Stefan Berg Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy (N.I.N.A. / NINA)
• Guiding Equipment: ZWO OAG, ZWO ASI174MM

Processing Workflow (Pixinsight):

Each panel underwent a meticulous processing pipeline:

1. Stacked with WDPP
2. Dynamic crop
3. Image solved for astrometric solution
4. Gradient removal using GraXpert
5. Color correction using Spectrophotometric Colour Calibration
6. Deconvolution using BlurXterminator
7. Histogram stretch using Generalised Hyperbolic Stretch
8. Initial noise reduction using DeepSNR.
9. S-curve adjustments with Curves Transformation
10. Color boost using masks and Curves Transformation
11. Final noise reduction using NoiseXterminator.

NGC 362 serves as a compelling reminder of the dynamic and diverse nature of the cosmos, with every captured photon telling a story of stellar evolution and galactic history.