Deep space
Messier 23
Open cluster · M23 · NGC 6494
Open cluster in Sagittarius
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 23, also known as NGC 6494, is an open cluster of stars in the northwest of the southern constellation of Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. It can be found in good conditions with binoculars or a modestly sized telescope. It is in front of "an extensive gas and dust network", which there may be no inter-association. It is within 5° the sun's position so can be occulted by the moon.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~2,150 light-years
Apparent mag.
+5.5
Apparent size
35′
Best seen with
Naked eye (dark sky)
Catalogue
M23 · NGC 6494
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 23 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 6494.
- Found in the constellation Sagittarius.
- Visible to the naked eye from a dark, moonless site.
