Messier 23

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Messier 23
Messier object 023.jpg
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Sagittarius
Right ascension 17h 56.8m
Declination −19° 01′
Distance 2.15 kly (659 Pc)
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.9
Apparent dimensions (V) 27.0′
Physical characteristics
Radius 8
Estimated age 220 million years[citation needed]
Other designations NGC 6494
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters
File:M23map.png
Map showing the location of M23

Messier 23 (also known as NGC 6494) is an open cluster in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier on June 20, 1764.

M23 is at a distance of about 2,150 light-years away from Earth, its radius is around 15-20 light years. There are some 150 identified members in this cluster, the brightest being of magnitude 9.2. M23 can be found with a modestly sized telescope in the rich starfields of the Sagittarius Milky Way.

External links

Coordinates: Sky map 17h 56m 48s, −19° 01′ 00″


<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>