Visual Astronomy

MESSIER 10
Messier 10
   
RA:
16h 57m 06s
DEC:
-04° 06' 00''
Type:
Globular cluster
NGC:
6254
Magnitude:
6.6
Surface brightness :
11.7
Apparent dimensions :
12'x12'
Distance:
14,300 ly
   
 


Messier 10 (also known as M10, Globular Cluster M10 or NGC 6254) is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier on May 29, 1764, cataloged as number 10 in his list, and described as a "Nebula without stars."

M10 has an apparent diameter of some 20', about 2/3 the apparent diameter of the moon, which translates to a spatial diameter of 83 light-years at its estimated distance of 14,300 light-years. Viewed through medium sized telescopes it appears about half that size (8' to 9'), as its brighter core is only 35 light-years across. Only 4 variable stars have been discovered in this cluster.

 

 

 

 

 

VEDRAN VRHOVAC©

2006.-2007.