Messier 18

Coordinates: 18h 19m 54s, −17° 07′ 60″

Messier 18

Star cluster Messier 18 and its surroundings, taken by y the OmegaCAM.[1]
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension 18h 19.9m
Declination 17° 08
Distance 4.9 kly (1.5 kPc)
Apparent magnitude (V) 7.5
Apparent dimensions (V) 9.0
Physical characteristics
Radius 9 ly
Estimated age 32 million years
Other designations NGC 6613

Messier 18 or M18 (also designated NGC 6613) is an open cluster of stars in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 and included in his list of comet-like objects. From the perspective of Earth, M18 is situated between the Omega Nebula (M17) and the Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24). Its age is estimated at 32 million years. It is 4,900 light-years away.


Wikimedia Commons has media related to Messier 18.

References

  1. "Stellar Lab in Sagittarius". www.eso.org. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
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