Messier 72
Star cluster in Aquarius · 54,600 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 72 in the 3D map →View Messier 72 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Aquarius |
| Right ascension | 20h 53m 28s |
| Declination | −12° 32′ |
| Object distance | 54,600 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 9 |
| Apparent size | 4.5′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 71.5 light-years across |
| Also known as | M72 · NGC 6981 |
Messier 72 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 6981) in Aquarius — 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 4.5 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 9, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.
Although it appears about 4.5′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 71.5 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 72
Messier 72 lies in the constellation Aquarius and is best placed in the evening sky around August. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies.
See Messier 72 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 72 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