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| Catalogue and alternative designations | NGC
346
|
| Type | Clusters and Nebulas in the SMC |
| Position | 0 59 18, -72 10 48 |
| Constellation | Tucana |
| Camera and Telescope | STXL6303E and 36.3 cm Ritchey Chretien |
| Focal Ratio | F9 |
| Exposure Details | LRGB 60:60:60:60 all 1x1 with Astrodon filters enhanced with 270 minutes of hydrogen alpha and 360 minutes OIII (both using 3nm Astrodon filters) |
| Description |
(adapted from ESO) NGC 346 is the brightest star-forming region in the neighbouring Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy, some 210 000 light-years away from Earth. The light, wind and heat given off by massive stars have dispersed the glowing gas within and around this star cluster, forming a surrounding wispy nebular structure that looks like a cobweb. It is about 4' across and easily visible in a small telescope. |