Mercer 3

Mercer 3, also known as GLIMPSE-C02, is a heavily obscured globular cluster embedded in the disk of the Milky Way galaxy.[1] It was discovered in 2008 in the data obtained by 2MASS and GLIMPSE infrared surveys, and independently characterized by two groups.[1][2] The cluster is located in the Scutum constellation. It had avoided detection for such a long time due to the extremely strong foreground extinction in its direction reaching 24 magnitudes in the visible light. Mercer 3 is probably situated at the distance from 4 to 8 kpc from the Sun and has a half-light radius of 0.7–1.5 pc.[1]

Mercer 3
2MASS image of Mercer 3
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationScutum
Right ascension18h 18m 30s[1]
Declination−16° 58′ 36″[1]
Distance13–26 kly (4–8 kpc[1])
Apparent magnitude (V)not visible
Apparent dimensions (V)39″ (half-light diameter)[1]
Physical characteristics
Mass2–3 × 105 M☉
Radius2–5 ly
Estimated age12 Gyr[1]

Mercer 3 is an old globular cluster having the age of about 12 billion years. The mass of cluster is estimated at 2–3 hundred thousand solar masses.[1] It is among the most metal-rich galactic globular clusters known.[2]

References
  1. Strader, J.; Kobulnicky, H. A. (2008). "A Probable New Globular Cluster in the Galactic Disk". The Astronomical Journal. 136 (5): 2102. arXiv:0808.1719. Bibcode:2008AJ....136.2102S. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/136/5/2102. S2CID 12924612.
  2. Kurtev, R.; Ivanov, V. D.; Borissova, J.; Ortolani, S. (2008). "Obscured clusters. II. GLIMPSE-C02 – A new metal rich globular cluster in the Milky Way". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 489 (2): 583–587. arXiv:0808.1565. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:200809425. S2CID 14312617.
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