Messier 62
Star cluster in Ophiuchus · 22,500 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 62 in the 3D map →View Messier 62 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Right ascension | 17h 01m 13s |
| Declination | −30° 07′ |
| Object distance | 22,500 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 7.4 |
| Apparent size | 7.8′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 51.1 light-years across |
| Also known as | M62 · NGC 6266 |
Messier 62 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 6266) in Ophiuchus — 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 7.8 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 7.4, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Although it appears about 7.8′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 51.1 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 62
Messier 62 lies in the constellation Ophiuchus and is best placed in the evening sky around June. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes.
See Messier 62 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 62 and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position, magnitude and angular size from the OpenNGC catalogue (Mattia Verga).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- Pleiades — star cluster
- Hercules Cluster — star cluster
- Small Sgr Star Cloud — star cluster
- Messier 25 — star cluster
- Messier 103 — star cluster