M56 · globular cluster
Messier 56
Messier 56 is a globular cluster in the constellation Lyra.
RA19h 16m 35sDec+30° 11' 02"
Image: en:NASA , en:STScI , en:WikiSky. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Identity & coordinates
Identification
- Primary designation
- M56
- All designations
- M56 · NGC 6779
- Object type
- Globular Cluster
- Constellation
- Lyra
- Best viewing
- Summer
Coordinates & physical
- Right ascension (J2000)
- 19h 16m 35s
- Declination (J2000)
- +30° 11' 02"
- Apparent magnitude (V)
- —
- Distance
- —
Visibility tonight
The science
Messier 56 is a globular cluster in the constellation Lyra. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1779. It is angularly found about midway between Albireo and Sulafat. In a good night sky it is tricky to find with large (50–80 mm) binoculars, appearing as a slightly fuzzy star. The cluster can be resolved using a telescope with an aperture of 8 in (20 cm) or larger.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0
References
- SIMBAD Not resolved
- NED Fetched May 8, 2026 View in NED ↗
- Wikipedia Fetched May 8, 2026 Read full article ↗
Wikipedia title resolved via designation — fell back to an alternate catalog designation.
1 merge conflict resolved
- coordinates: SIMBAD missing → NED used