A new globular cluster ?

German astronomers, using the Sofl instrument on the NTT at La Silla, have discovered what may be a new globular cluster in the inner part of our Galaxy.

The estimated number of GC to be discovered close to the Galactic center is about 10. The german team has selected possible candidates found on 2MASS images, discovering the freshly baptized FSR 1735 among the ’galactic fog’.

At a distance of about 30’000 light-years from us, FSR 1735 is about 7 light-years wide, containing some 100’000 stars for a total weight of about 65’000 solar masses. Deeper observations are required to determine the age of the stars.