Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M107 (NGC 6171) Globular Cluster 16h 31m 32s -13° 03′ 14″ Ophiuchus +7.9 13.0 arcmin Overview Pierre Méchain discovered this loose globular cluster in April 1782, but it wasn’t added to Messier’s catalog until Helen Sawyer Hogg did so in 1947 based on the argument that Méchain …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M62 (NGC 6266) Globular Cluster 17h 01m 13s -30° 06′ 49″ Ophiuchus +6.44 15.0 arcmin Overview Messier discovered this fabulously odd cluster in 1771. He described it as resembling a small comet. Today, we know that that’s because, unlike most globular clusters, M62 is asymmetrical. Even today, …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M71 (NGC 6838) Globular Cluster 19h 53m 47s +18° 46′ 45″ Sagitta +8.18 3.3 arcmin Overview When is an open cluster not an open cluster? When it’s a globular cluster! M71 caused consternation once upon a time when astronomers couldn’t agree whether it was a loose globular …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M12 (NGC 6218) Globular Cluster 16h 47m 18s -01° 56′ 55″ Ophiuchus +6.69 16.0 arcmin Overview There are many globular clusters in the constellation of Ophiuchus, and we’ve previously provided guides on seeing M9, M10, and M19 (go to the Messier Objects section to find them – …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M19 (NGC 6273) Globular Cluster 17h 02m 38s -26° 16′ 05″ Ophiuchus +6.8 17.0 arcmin Overview M19 is a large, bright cluster which stands out due to its dim stars which make it hard to resolve. Its brightest component suns shine at magnitude 14 on average, making …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M10 (NGC 6254) Globular Cluster 16h 57m 09s -04° 06′ 01″ Ophiuchus +6.6 20.0 arcmin Overview This is a bright cluster, on the edge of naked eye visible, in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Messier in 1764 who, like a few of his discovered …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M9 (NGC 6333) Globular Cluster 17h 19m 11s +18° 30′ 57″ Ophiuchus +7.7 12.0 arcmins Overview Charles Messier discovered this globular cluster in 1764 and described by him as “a nebula without stars”. It lies on the edge of the Milky Way in a darker ribbon, making …
