NGC 602

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NGC 602
A Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of NGC 602.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Hydrus
Right ascension 01h 29m 32.133s[1]
Declination −73° 33′ 38.13″[1]
Distance 196 kly[2] (61 kpc[2])
Apparent magnitude (V) - />
Apparent dimensions (V) 1′.5 × 0′.7[3]
Physical characteristics
Mass M
Radius 90 ly
Estimated age 5 My[4]
Notable features -
Other designations N90[2]
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 602 is a young, bright open cluster of stars located in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way. Radiation and shock waves from the stars have pushed away much of the lighter surrounding gas and dust that compose the nebula known as N90, and this in turn has triggered new star formation in the ridges (or "elephant trunks") of the nebula. These even younger, pre-main sequence stars are still enshrouded in dust but are visible to the Spitzer Space Telescope at infrared wavelengths.[5] The cluster is of particular interest because it is located in the wing of the SMC leading to the Magellanic Bridge. Hence, while its chemical properties should be similar to those of the rest of the galaxy, it is relatively isolated and so easier to study.[6]

A number of other, more distant galaxies also appear in the background of the Hubble images of NGC 602, making for a "tantalizing"[4] and "grand"[7] view.


  1. ^ a b "Results for NGC 602". SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Retrieved 2013-04-04. 
  2. ^ a b c "Hubble Observes Infant Stars in Nearby Galaxy". HubbleSite. Retrieved 2007-01-10. 
  3. ^ "Object details - NGC 602". Deepskylog - Sky Insight. Retrieved 2007-01-10. [dead link]
  4. ^ a b "NGC 602 and Beyond". Astronomy Picture of the Day. Retrieved 2007-01-10. 
  5. ^ "NGC 602: Ongoing Star Formation in a Young SMC Cluster". Hubble Heritage Project. January 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-09. 
  6. ^ "Discovery of a Pre-main sequence Population in SMC cluster, NGC 602 with HST/ACS and SST/IRAC Vol. 37, p.1475". Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2007-01-09. 
  7. ^ "New Stars Shed Light On The Past". Science Daily. 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2007-02-09. 

External links[edit]

Media related to NGC 602 at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: Sky map 01h 29m 25s, −73° 33′ 30″