In this paper, we present the results of a detailed photometric analysis of Glimpse-C02, one of the most extincted globular clusters of the Milky Way. We built a deep color magnitude diagram spanning ~10 magnitudes and enabling the very first identification of the main sequence turnoff of the cluster. Due to the extreme reddening conditions of the region where the stellar system is located, a differential reddening correction was necessary. The resulting reddening map shows color excess variations up to {delta}E(B-V)~2.5mag in the direction of the target. From isochrone-fitting of the differential reddening corrected color-magnitude diagram, we obtained a new estimate of the mean color excess, E(B-V)=6.33^+0.05^-0.04, and a distance modulus (m-M)0=14.00^+0.26^-0.11, corresponding to a distance of d=6.3^+0.8^-0.3_kpc from the Sun, and a Galactocentric distance of 2.6^+0.6^-0.7_kpc. This distance value, within the associated uncertainties, suggests that the cluster may be located closer to the Galactic Center compared to previous estimates, possibly supporting its classification as a bulge globular cluster. Furthermore, we obtained a photometric metallicity estimate of [Fe/H]=-0.30^+0.10^-0.08 and the first absolute age determination for Glimpse-C02, resulting in t=11.9^+0.7^-0.6_Gyr, as typically measured for Galactic globular clusters at this metallicity. We also obtained a new estimate of the center of gravity of the cluster and determined its projected density profile from resolved star counts, finding a high King concentration parameter (c=1.97-0.67_^+0.51^) and a core radius r_c_=8.72^+0.40^-0.35_arcsec. Finally, from the surface brightness profile of the system, we derived an integrated H-band magnitude M_H=-7.9, corresponding to a mass of M=3.57^+0.22^-0.19_x10^4^M{sun}_. Thus, our work classifies Glimpse-C02 as an old and metal-rich globular cluster that is in an advanced stage of its dynamical evolution.

Cone search capability for table J/A+A/709/A186/catalog (Catalog of the globular cluster Glimpse-C02)