M69
NGC 6637
Données de l'Objet
- Désignation du Catalogue
- M69
- Type
- GlobularCluster
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- Magnitude
- 7.6
- Ascension Droite
- 18h 31m 23.1s
- Déclinaison
- -32° 20' 53.1"
- Distance
- 29,700 années-lumière
- Taille Angulaire
- 7.1
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À propos de M69
Description
M69 is a small, bright globular cluster in Sagittarius, about 29,700 light-years from Earth. It is one of the more metal-rich globular clusters in the Milky Way, containing stars with higher proportions of heavy elements than typical globulars. The cluster spans about 61 light-years and is moderately concentrated.
Conseils d'Observation
Located about 2.5 degrees northeast of Epsilon Sagittarii (Kaus Australis), the base of the Teapot's spout. From northern latitudes it sits low and can be dimmed by atmospheric extinction. In binoculars it appears as a small, faint fuzzy star. A 6-inch telescope shows a concentrated, round glow. Resolving stars is difficult due to its compact nature and low altitude. M70 lies only 2 degrees to the east. Best observed from July through September.
Histoire
Discovered by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille on August 31, 1752 from South Africa. Charles Messier observed it on August 31, 1780. Its southerly declination (-32 degrees) made it a challenging target from Paris.
Faits Amusants
M69 is one of the most metal-rich globular clusters known, with metallicity about 10% of the Sun's — very high for a globular. This suggests it formed in a more chemically enriched environment than most globulars, possibly closer to the galactic center where star formation was more advanced.
Photos de la Communauté (1)
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. License: CC BY 3.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026