Observations of The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)

NGC 339

Andrew Murrell

The star Lambda Hydrus lies almost 1° south of the southern edge of the SMC.

This 5.1 mag star is the starting point to find the next 2 objects. NGC 339 is a globular cluster 40 arc minutes to the north east of that star. The cluster is bright and large being 2 arc minutes in diameter. The is a slight condensation toward the core. No individual stars are visible in the cluster, but it does have the grainy look about it that suggests it will resolve in a slightly larger telescope. The surface brightness is even in the centre of the cluster and starts to drop about half the diameter out. The edge of the cluster is diffuse and no bright stars are visible near.

Timo Kurhula

Observed with 44.5cm telescope and described as pretty bright and large.