Waid Observatory

Object: M21
Date: June 05, 2005      -      Location: Margate, FL
Telescope: C14 F:6.73   Camera: ST-10XME/AO7   Filters: Astrodon TruBalance
Exposure: L R G & B = 15 min. each (Bin 1X1)
Click on the image below to view at higher resolution.

 

M 21 Open Cluster

 

M21 1

Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

M21 is a relatively small open cluster of approximately 60 stars.  It is located near the Trifid Nebula (M20) at a distance of approximately 4,200 light years.  The estimated age of the cluster is 4.6 million years which makes it a very young stellar object.  The brighter stars in the cluster are blue giants of spectral type BO and are consuming their stellar fuel at a rapid pace.

1http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m021.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid