Metal-rich globular clusters in the galaxy. IV. A color-magnitude diagram for NGC 6304

From a study to V=19.1 and B=20.8 mag in the UBV system of approx.385 stars near the G2 globular cluster NGC 6304, a color-magnitude diagram has been found whose characteristics appear similar to those of 47 Tucanae, supporting the conclusion that NGC 6304 is a moderately metal-rich cluster. The reddening, E (B--V), has been estimated to be 0.58+-0.005 mag, and the distance modulus is found, assuming M/subV/,=+0.9+-0.2 mag, to be (m-M)0=13.4+-0.2 mag. The cluster is thus 4.8 kpc from the sun and 450 pc above the galactic plane, and it has an absolute visual magnitude of -6.8. Cluster membership of the numerous variable stars in this field remains uncertain, although one red and two possible RR Lyrae variables may be cluster members