Messier 92
Star cluster in Hercules · 26,700 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 92 in the 3D map →View Messier 92 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Hercules |
| Right ascension | 17h 17m 07s |
| Declination | +43° 08′ |
| Object distance | 26,700 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 6.5 |
| Apparent size | 14.4′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 111.8 light-years across |
| Also known as | M92 · NGC 6341 |
Messier 92 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 6341) in Hercules — 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 14.4 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 6.5, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Although it appears about 14.4′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 111.8 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 92
Messier 92 lies in the constellation Hercules 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 northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes.
See Messier 92 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 92 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