Deep space
Black Swan Cluster
Open cluster · M18 · NGC 6613
Open cluster in Sagittarius
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 18 or M18, also designated NGC 6613 and sometimes known as the Black Swan Cluster, is an open cluster of stars in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 and included in his list of comet-like objects. From the perspective of Earth, M18 is situated between the Omega Nebula (M17) and the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24).
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~4,900 light-years
Apparent mag.
+7.5
Apparent size
9.8′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M18 · NGC 6613
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 18 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 6613.
- Found in the constellation Sagittarius.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
