M19 · globular cluster

Messier 19

Messier 19 or M19 is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus.

RA17h 02m 37sDec−26° 16' 04"

Image: https://hla.stsci.edu/hla_help.html#acknow ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR PUBLICATIONS All refereed publications based on data obtained from the HLA are requested to carry the following footnote: Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, and obtained from the Hubble Legacy Archive, which is a collaboration between the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI/NASA), the Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (ST-ECF/ESA) and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC/NRC/CSA). In addition, publications of research supported by an STScI grant must carry the following acknowledgment: Support for Program number ____________ was provided by NASA through a grant from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Incorporated, under NASA contract NAS5-26555.. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M19
All designations: M19 · NGC 6273
Object type: Globular Cluster
Constellation: Ophiuchus
Best viewing: Summer

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 17h 02m 37s
Declination (J2000): −26° 16' 04"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

Messier 19 or M19 is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764 and added to his catalogue of comet-like objects that same year. It was resolved into individual stars by William Herschel in 1784. His son, John Herschel, described it as "a superb cluster resolvable into countless stars". The cluster is located 4.5° WSW of Theta Ophiuchi and is just visible as a fuzzy point of light using 50 mm (2.0 in) binoculars. Using a telescope with a 25.4 cm (10.0 in) aperture, the cluster shows an oval appearance with a 3′ × 4′ core and a 5′ × 7′ halo.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0