M62 Flickering Globular (Jerry Macon)

M62 Flickering Globular

Only images from this scope were used:

TV127is+ASI183MM at .75 asec/pix. (RGB)

The L taken on the AG12" Newtonian did not seem to register well with the RGB from the TV127is, so I did not use them.

RA: 17h 01m 13s

DEC: -30°06.7'

This globular is a challenge to get decent quality at my latitude, since it transits at 23 degrees.

Messier 62 or M62, also known as NGC 6266, is a globular cluster of stars in the equatorial constellation of Ophiuchus. It was discovered on June 7, 1771 by Charles Messier, then added to his catalogue in 1779.

M62 is at a distance of about 22.2 kly from Earth and 5.5 kly from the Galactic center. It is among the ten most massive and luminous globular clusters in the Milky Way, showing an integrated absolute magnitude of –9.18.

The cluster shows at least two distinct populations of stars, which most likely represent two separate episodes of star formation. Of the main sequence stars in the cluster, 79% are from the first generation and 21% from the second. The second generation is polluted by materials released by the first. In particular, the abundances of helium, carbon, magnesium, aluminium, and sodium differ between the two populations.

Indications are this is an Oosterhoff type I, or "metal-rich" system. A 2010 study identified 245 variable stars in the cluster's field. The cluster may prove to be the galaxy's richest in terms of RR Lyrae variables. It has six binary millisecond pulsars, including one (COM6266B) that is displaying eclipsing behavior from gas streaming off its companion. There are multiple X-ray sources, including 50 within the half-mass radius. 47 blue straggler candidates have been identified, formed from the merger of two stars in a binary system, and these are preferentially concentrated near the core region.

(Wikipedia)

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