We present deep near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the globular cluster 2MASS-GC 03 projected in the Galactic disk using MMIRS on the Clay telescope ( Las Campanas Observatory ) and VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea survey ( VVV ) data .
Most probable cluster member candidates were identified from near-infrared photometry .
Out of ten candidates that were followed-up spectroscopically , five have properties of cluster members , from which we calculate < [ Fe/H ] > = -0.9 \pm 0.2 and a radial velocity of < v _ { r } > = -78 \pm 12 km/s .
A distance of 10.8 kpc is estimated from 3 likely RR Lyrae members .
Given that the cluster is currently at a distance of 4.2 kpc from the Galactic center , the cluster ’ s long survival time of an estimated 11.3 \pm 1.2 Gyr strengthens the case for its globular-cluster nature .
The cluster has a hint of elongation in the direction of the Galactic center .