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M10 (NGC 6254)

Also known as M10 · M 10 · NGC 6254

M10 (NGC 6254) is a globular star cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus, about 13,050 light-years from Earth.

M10 (NGC 6254): a sky-survey photograph of its field
Sky survey view (DSS2 colour, or a backup survey)

Facts

TypeGlobular star cluster
ConstellationOphiuchus
Position (J2000)16h 57m 08s, −4° 05′
Distance13,050 light-years (its light set off about 13,050 years ago)
Brightnessmagnitude 4.98 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6)
Size on the sky15.1′ × 15.1′ (the full Moon is about 31′)
FilterNo filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.)
Studied in870 scientific papers (SIMBAD)

When and how to see it

M10 (NGC 6254) is highest in the sky at midnight in June. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 66° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 36°. To see it you need the naked eye from a dark site.

Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.

For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.

More in Ophiuchus

Everything in Ophiuchus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects

Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits