M12

M12 = NGC6218 ( 16h 47.2m -1°57´, 6.6 mag )
This loose globular cluster in Ophiuchus was discovered by Messier on May 30, 1764. It is located approx. 18,000 ly away and measures 97 ly across.

M12 is eight degrees north of zeta Ophiuchi and two degrees east. M10 is 2.5 degrees SE of M12, with 30 Ophiuchi in the same field. M14 (NGC 6402) needs a 20-cm telescope to resolve; it's more condensed than the preceding two and slightly fainter.

M12 motorway (Northern Ireland)M13M132 Armored Flamethrower
M136M13 phageM13 virus
M14 (disambiguation)M14 (rifle)M14 in popular culture ...

Globular cluster M12, in the constellation Ophiuchus, is nearly a twin of M10. It is just a bit fainter and only slightly larger. Like its twin, it does not contain a lot of variable stars.

M9 (globular cluster)
M10 (globular cluster)
M12 (globular cluster)
M14 (globular cluster)
M19 (globular cluster)
M62 (globular cluster)
M107 (globular cluster) ...

Ophiuchus contains several star clusters, such as IC 4665, NGC 6633, M9, M10, M12, M14, M19, M62, and M107, as well as the nebula IC 4603-4604. The unusual galaxy merger remnant NGC 6240 is also in Ophiuchus.

Its smaller and fainter than M 10 or M12.
NGC 6356 is in the area of M 9; yet it is a bit faint.
The meteor shower Ophiuchids can be seen from May 19th to July 2nd. The maximum of the shower activity occurs on June 20th.

See also: Ophiuchus, Star, Sky, Cluster, Light

Topic: Astronomy