NGC 4147 - Globular Cluster
NGC 4147 is a small globular cluster in the constellation "Coma Berenices", which has an apparent magnitude of 10.4mag and a diameter of only 4.4'.
It was discovered in February 1784 by none other than F.W. Herschel.
The distance to NGC 4147 is given as around 60,000 light years. This means the GC is at a similar distance from Earth as the two other globular clusters
in Coma (Messier 53, NGC 5053). In direct comparison, however, it appears significantly smaller than these two, which is due to the fact that its true
diameter is less than 100 light-years, making NGC 4147 not only one of the smallest globular clusters in our galaxy, but also one of the lightest with a
mass of only 40,000 solar masses.
It is assumed that the globular cluster did not form in our own Milky Way, but was snatched from another galaxy (Sgr dSph).
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In my 20" f/3 telescope, NGC 4147 still appears very small even at a magnification of 270x. At 380x, however, both the core and the outer regions are well
resolved. Around 50 individual stars can be seen, the halo appears coarse-grained and speckled with faint stars. Two brighter stars can be seen at the edge
and near the center.
The surrounding area is poor in stars.
