Deep space
Messier 68
Globular cluster · M68 · NGC 4590
Globular cluster in Hydra
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 68 is a globular cluster found in the east south-east of Hydra, away from its precisely equatorial part. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. William Herschel described it as "a beautiful cluster of stars, extremely rich, and so compressed that most of the stars are blended together". His son John noted that it was "all clearly resolved into stars of 12th magnitude, very loose and ragged at the borders".
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~33,600 light-years
Apparent mag.
+7.8
Apparent size
11′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M68 · NGC 4590
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 68 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 4590.
- Found in the constellation Hydra.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
