M107 NGC 6171 Globular Cluster, AlBroxton

M107 NGC 6171 Globular Cluster

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Description

Globular Cluster M107 (also known as Messier Object 107 or NGC 6171) is a very loose globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in April 1782 and independently by William Herschel in 1793. It wasn't until 1947 that Helen Sawyer Hogg added it and three other objects discovered by Méchain to the list of Messier objects. M107 is close to the galactic plane at a distance of about 20,900 light-years from Earth. There are 25 known variable stars in this cluster. It was discovered by Messier's colleague, Pierre Mechain, in 1782 and was not included in the original publication of the catalog. It is located about 20,000 light-years from Earth and is believed to have a diameter of around 60 light-years. This cluster is approaching us at a rate of about 147 km/sec. It can be easily found with binoculars and is an impressive sight in a 4-inch telescope at medium magnification.

Observation Notes : M107 is a pretty bright, pretty large, roundish planetary at 200 X in the 17.5". It has several irregular bright spots and three stars are involved in the nebula. There is a nice blue and gold double star at its' edge.

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Revisions

  • M107 NGC 6171 Globular Cluster, AlBroxton
    Original
  • Final
    M107 NGC 6171 Globular Cluster, AlBroxton
    B

Histogram

M107 NGC 6171 Globular Cluster, AlBroxton