NGC 6218 (M 12)

 DSO, Globular Cluster  Add comments
Jun 202015
 

NGC 6218 (M 12) [C:60X30s]

NGC 6218 (M 12) [C:60X30s]

Described by Charles Messier as a “nebula without stars”, this globular cluster was discovered by him in 1764. This cluster in located in the constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer). It is about 15,700 lys from Earth and ancient in the extreme with an estimated age of 12.6 billion years.

Notice the two adjacent galaxies peeking through the cluster at about 8 o’clock just outside the central condensation. I’ve been able to identify the larger and brighter of the two as PGC 1103219.

 Posted by at 20:15

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