NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 339 is a globular (or rich open) cluster in the SMC. Its core is a bit eccentric, being displaced about 10 arcsec to the northwest from the center of the outer isophotes. Thus, the positions do not agree as well as might be expected from the cluster's relatively small apparent size. This is a feature shared by many clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. In general, the positions I've adopted for the NGC and IC objects are meant to be representative of the object as seen by the discoverer. Where the "feature" becomes a problem, I've explicitely named the part of the object to which the position applies. Thus, N339 has positions for its "core" as well as the "entire cluster." Finally, I have classified the SMC and LMC clusters purely on morphological grounds. Thus, N339 is a "globular" cluster because of its richness, compactness, and relative symmetry. An H-R diagram might tell a different story. Folks interested in the astrophysics of these things will do well to consult the literature to be sure about the classification of any given object.

===== NGC 339 30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly large, roundish, 3' diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core. The outer halo appears ragged and mottled but the only definite resolution is a star on the east side of the halo. Located 15' SE of mag 6.7 HD 5499. There are no brighter stars within 5'. NGC 339 is a massive intermediate age cluster (6.5 billion years old). Kron 37 lies 8.6' N.