Messier 9
Star cluster in Ophiuchus · 25,800 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 9 in the 3D map →View Messier 9 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Right ascension | 17h 19m 12s |
| Declination | −18° 31′ |
| Object distance | 25,800 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 8.4 |
| Apparent size | 6.9′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 51.8 light-years across |
| Also known as | M9 · NGC 6333 |
Messier 9 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 6333) 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 6.9 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 8.4, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.
Although it appears about 6.9′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 51.8 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 9
Messier 9 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. 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 9 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 9 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