Messier 68
Star cluster in Hydra · 33,600 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 68 in the 3D map →View Messier 68 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Hydra |
| Right ascension | 12h 39m 28s |
| Declination | −26° 45′ |
| Object distance | 33,600 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 8 |
| Apparent size | 6.6′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 64.5 light-years across |
| Also known as | M68 · NGC 4590 |
Messier 68 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 4590) in Hydra — 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 6.6 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 8, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.
Although it appears about 6.6′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 64.5 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 68
Messier 68 lies in the constellation Hydra and is best placed in the evening sky around March. 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. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies.
See Messier 68 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 68 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