Messier 92

Database links to Messier 92

Globular cluster Messier 92 / NGC 6341

SDSS
AladinLite
Constellation	Hercules
Position equinox : J2000.0 , epoch : J2000.0
Right ascension	17 ^h 17 ^m 07.3 ^s
declination	+ 43 ° 08 ′ 11 ″
Appearance
Concentration class	IV
Brightness (visual)	6.5 mag
Angular expansion	14.0 '
Physical data
Redshift	−0.000402 ± 0.000006
Radial velocity	−120.5 ± 1.7 km / s
distance	27 kLj (8 kpc )
history
discovery	Johann Elert Bode
Discovery date	December 27, 1777
Catalog names
M 92 • NGC 6341 • C 1715 + 432 • GCl 59 •

Messier 92 = NGC 6341 is a 6.3 mag bright globular cluster with an area of 14.0 ′ in the constellation Hercules in the northern sky . The distance from Messier 92 is about 26,000 light years , its mass is estimated to be about 330,000 solar masses . The very low metal abundance of only 0.6% of the solar element abundance suggests that this globular cluster is very old. In fact, measurements with the help of color-brightness diagrams show an age of around 13 billion years. It is one of the oldest known globular clusters.

Center of the globular cluster Messier 92, recorded with the Hubble Space Telescope

Due to its great brightness and its northern location in the sky, M92 is already visible in binoculars in Central Europe . In small telescopes (four- to eight-inch ) the edge of the cluster can be resolved into individual stars.

M92 is found exactly 6.3 ° north of the star π Herculis. It is almost as bright as the better-known Hercules cluster M13 , but appears much more compact.

The object was discovered on December 27, 1777 by Johann Elert Bode and in 1781 (independently of Bode) by Charles Messier .