Deep space
Messier 19
Globular cluster · M19 · NGC 6273
Globular cluster in Ophiuchus
Photo: en:NASA, en:STScI, en:WikiSky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 19 or M19 is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764 and added to his catalogue of comet-like objects that same year. It was resolved into individual stars by William Herschel in 1784. His son, John Herschel, described it as "a superb cluster resolvable into countless stars". The cluster is located 4.5° WSW of Theta Ophiuchi and is just visible as a fuzzy point of light using 50 mm (2.0 in) binoculars. Using a telescope with a 25.4 cm (10.0 in) aperture, the cluster shows an oval appearance with a 3′ × 4′ core and a 5′ × 7′ halo.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~28,700 light-years
Apparent mag.
+6.8
Apparent size
17′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M19 · NGC 6273
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 19 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 6273.
- Found in the constellation Ophiuchus.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
