Milky Way Globular Clusters Reference Catalog
Astrometric and photometric reference index for Galactic globular clusters, linking Shapley-Sawyer classes, metallicities [Fe/H], and Gaia distances.
Catalog Scope & Cross-Identification Notes
The Catalog of Parameters for Milky Way Globular Clusters compiled by William E. Harris and updated with Gaia EDR3 proper motions and parallaxes by Vasiliev & Baumgardt (2021) serves as the standard benchmark for studying the ancient stellar halo of our galaxy.
This cross-walk links FastAstro's flagship northern and southern globular cluster profiles with their NGC/Messier designations, Shapley-Sawyer core concentrations, metallicities, and horizontal-branch distances.
Cross-Referenced Objects in Milky Way Globular Clusters Reference Catalog (4)
| Object Profile | Primary Class | Constellation | RA (J2000) | Dec (J2000) | Catalog Aliases | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messier 13 (Hercules Globular Cluster) | Globular cluster | Hercules | 16h 41m 41.24s | +36° 27′ 35.5″ | M13, NGC 6205, Hercules Globular Cluster | Late Spring to Summer (May–August) |
| Omega Centauri (NGC 5139 Cluster) | Globular cluster / stripped dwarf galaxy nucleus | Centaurus | 13h 26m 47.24s | -47° 28′ 46.1″ | ω Centauri, NGC 5139, Caldwell 80 | Spring to Early Summer (April–June) |
| Messier 92 (NGC 6341 in Hercules) | Globular cluster | Hercules | 17h 17m 07.40s | +43° 08′ 09.4″ | M92, NGC 6341 | Late Spring to Summer (May–August) |
| 47 Tucanae (NGC 104 Globular Cluster) | Globular cluster | Tucana (Southern Sky) | 00h 24m 05.30s | -72° 04′ 52.6″ | 47 Tuc, NGC 104, Caldwell 106 | Southern Spring to Summer (September–December) |
Related Reference Guides
Trigonometric Parallax, Parsecs & Gaia DR3
How trigonometric parallax (d_pc = 1 / p_arcsec), the distance modulus equation, Hipparcos, and Gaia DR3 microarcsecond astrometry measure cosmic distances.
Apparent vs Absolute Magnitude Explained
Understand the logarithmic Pogson astronomical magnitude scale, apparent visual magnitude (m), absolute magnitude (M at 10 parsecs), and bolometric corrections.
Astronomical Catalogs Explained (M, NGC, Gaia)
How astronomical designations work across the Messier (M), NGC/IC, Bayer/Flamsteed, Henry Draper (HD), Hipparcos (HIP), and Gaia DR3 catalogs.
Primary Catalog Sources
- Catalog of Parameters for Milky Way Globular Clusters (2010 / 2021 Gaia EDR3 revision): Harris, W. E. 1996 (2010 ed.), AJ, 112, 1487; Vasiliev, E. & Baumgardt, H. 2021, MNRAS, 505, 5978 — McMaster University / Gaia EDR3 Cluster Survey
- ESA Gaia Archive — Data Release 3 (DR3 (2022-06-13)): Gaia Collaboration, Vallenari, A., et al. 2023, A&A, 674, A1 (Gaia Data Release 3) — European Space Agency / Gaia DPAC
- SIMBAD Astronomical Database (CDS) (2026-10 release): Wenger, M., et al. 2000, A&AS, 143, 9 (The SIMBAD astronomical database) — Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg