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Globular Cluster M12
About this object
Messier 12 (M12) also known as NGC 6218, is a magnitude 7.68 globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. Unlike other globular clusters, M12 is rather loose with a less bright and dense core. Its a bit smaller than the more popular M13 in Hercules but still contains some 200,000 stars. M12 is thought to be 57 thousand light years distant and also around 75 light years in diameter. Its thought that M12 is around 12 billion years old. There are many red giant stars that are easily seen in the image above but also a good number of small blue stars. To see them click on the full resolution link above. A few galaxies also populate the area around M12. Most are small and rather faint. See this annotated image showing where they are. This image was taken through RGB filters with 5.9 hrs of total exposure time over two nights.
Messier 12 (M12) also known as NGC 6218, is a magnitude 7.68 globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. Unlike other globular clusters, M12 is rather loose with a less bright and dense core. Its a bit smaller than the more popular M13 in Hercules but still contains some 200,000 stars. M12 is thought to be 57 thousand light years distant and also around 75 light years in diameter. Its thought that M12 is around 12 billion years old. There are many red giant stars that are easily seen in the image above but also a good number of small blue stars. To see them click on the full resolution link above. A few galaxies also populate the area around M12. Most are small and rather faint. See this annotated image showing where they are. This image was taken through RGB filters with 5.9 hrs of total exposure time over two nights.
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Image Details
- Optics : Stellarvue SVS 130 refractor f5 655mm FL
- Mount: Paramount MYT
- Camera: QSI 683
- Filters: Astrodon
- Exposure (min): RGB: 130:115:110 5.9hrs exposure time
- Camera/Mount Control: The Sky X, CCD Auto Pilot 5
- Guiding: SX Lodestar
- Processing: PixInsight 1.8,
- Location: Stark Bayou Observatory, Ocean Springs, MS
- Sky: Typical SQM 19.6-20.0, Bortle 5, Suburban
- Date: 10-11 April 19
