M72 (NGC 6981)
Also known as M72 · M 72 · NGC 6981
M72 (NGC 6981) is a globular star cluster in the constellation Aquarius, about 38,830 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Globular star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Aquarius |
| Position (J2000) | 20h 53m 27s, −12° 32′ |
| Distance | 38,830 light-years (its light set off about 38,830 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 8.96 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 5.9′ × 5.9′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 477 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M72 (NGC 6981) is highest in the sky at midnight in August. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 57° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 27°. To see it you need binoculars.
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 Aquarius
Everything in Aquarius · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits