Waid Observatory

Object: M12
015 Date: Sep 15, 2021   -   Location: Davis Mountains, TX
Telescope:    RC-10   Mount:  Paramount MX   Filters:   AstroDon Tru-Balance LRGB
Camera: Apogee Alta F8300   Exposure: L = 15x1 min.  RGB = 10x1 min. each
Click on the image to view at higher resolution.

 

M012

M12 - Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus 1

Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

M12 [also designated NGC 6218] was once believed to be an intermediate type between a globular and a dense open cluster.  Although it is not as concentrated as most other globular clusters we are usually familiar with, it is now generally classified as a true globular.  It lies in the direction of the constellation of Ophiuchus at an estimated distance of 17,500 light-years.  The apparent diameter of M12 corresponds to about 75 light-years. The rich star colors in and around this cluster make for a very pleasing image.

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_12

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid