Deep space
NGC 6397
Globular cluster · C86 · NGC 6397
Globular cluster in Ara
Photo: European Southern Observatory · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
NGC 6397 is a globular cluster in the constellation Ara that was discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752. It is located about 7,800 light-years from Earth, making it one of the two nearest globular clusters to Earth. The cluster contains around 400,000 stars, and can be seen with the naked eye under good observing conditions.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~7,500 light-years
Apparent mag.
+5.7
Apparent size
15.3′
Best seen with
Naked eye (dark sky)
Catalogue
C86 · NGC 6397
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 86 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as NGC 6397.
- Found in the constellation Ara.
- Visible to the naked eye from a dark, moonless site.
