Discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 443 (first Messier catalog)]
In the same night [June 5 to 6, 1764] I have determined the position of two
clusters of stars which are close to each other, a bit above the Ecliptic,
between the bow of Sagittarius & the right foot of Ophiuchus:
the known star closest to these two clusters is the 11th of the
constellation Sagittarius, of seventh magnitude, after the catalog of
Flamsteed: the stars of these clusters are, from the eighth to the nineth
magnitude, environed with nebulosities. I have determined their positions.
The right ascension of the first cluster, 267d 4' 5", its declination
22d 59' 10" south. The right ascension of the second, 267d 31' 35"; its
declination, 22d 31' 25" south.
[p. 456]
1764.Jun.5. RA: 267.31.35, Dec: 22.31.25.A.
Cluster of stars near the preceding.
Last Modification: January 2, 2005