Messier 21
Star cluster in Sagittarius · 4,250 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 21 in the 3D map →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Distance | 4,250 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 5.9 |
| Apparent size | 6′ (arc-minutes) |
| Also known as | M21 · NGC 6531 |
Messier 21 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 6531) in Sagittarius — a gravitationally bound family of stars sharing a common origin. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 6 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 5.9, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
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Related objects
- Pleiades — star cluster
- Hercules Cluster — star cluster
- Small Sgr Star Cloud — star cluster
- Messier 25 — star cluster
- Messier 103 — star cluster