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M72

Astronomy M71M73

M72 = NGC6981 ( 20h 53.5m -12°32´, 9.4 mag. )
This globular cluster in Aquarius was discovered by Mechain in Aug. 1780. Messier observed it on Oct. 4, 1780. Located about 56,400 ly away it measures 98 ly across.

 


M72 (NGC 6981)
globular cluster
A faint object in small telescopes. Magnitude 9.8, diameter 2', distance 55,400 light-years; R.A. 20h 52m, Dec. -12° 39' ...

In the constellation Aquarius lies a globular cluster known as M72. This object is one of the more remote globular clusters in the Messier catalog. It has a diameter of about 90 light years, and is located over 53,000 light years from Earth.

M72 is right below the head, which consists of the star Albali. Just west of M72 is the planetary nebula named the Saturn Nebula. It is so named because it looks like the planet Saturn when viewed through a telescope.

the US Army M72 LAW or the British Army LAW 80*Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights ...
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M2 (globular cluster)
M72 (globular cluster)
M73 (system or astrerism of 4 stars)
This is one of the 13 constellations of the Zodiac.

M2 (globular cluster)
M72 (globular cluster)
M73 (system or astrerism of 4 stars)
This is one of the 13 constellations of the Zodiac.

There are many interesting celestial objects in this large constellation, including globular clusters (M2 and M72), planetary nebulae (NGC 7009 and NGC 7293), the star group M73, a double star (zeta Aqr).

M2 (NGC 7089) is a globular cluster, compact and bright, about 50,000 light years away. The cluster is 5º N of beta Aquarii. M72 (NGC 6981 is also a globular cluster, about 3º WSW of the Saturn Nebula (see below).

Objects within 15 degrees of the western horizon at twilight are M74, 11 deg and M31, M32 and M110 complex at 15 deg. Objects within 15 degrees of the eastern horizon at twilight are M2, M72 and M73.

Sometimes, the river Eridanus is depicted spilling from Aquarius' watering pot.
Notable deep sky objects
There are three deep sky objects that are on the Messier catalog, the Globular Cluster M2, Globular Cluster M72, and the Open Cluster M73.

See also: Time, Year, Field, Light, Aries