Discovered on June 20, 1764 by Charles Messier.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 444 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of June 20 to 21, 1764, I determined the position of a cluster
of small stars which is situated between the northerb extremity of the bow
of Sagittarius & the right foot of Ophiuchus, very close to the
star of sixth magnitude, the sixty-fifth of the latter constellation [Oph],
after the catalog of Flamsteed: These stars are very close to each other;
there is none which one can see easily with an ordinary [non-achromatic]
refractor of 3 feet & a half, & which
was taken
for
these small stars.
The diameter of all is about 15 minutes of arc. I have determined its
position by comparing the middle with the star Mu Sagittarii: I have found
its right ascension of 265d 42' 50", & its declination of 18d 45' 55",
south.
[p. 456]
1764.Jun.20. RA: 265.42.50, Dec: 18.45.55.A, Diam: 0.15.
Cluster of stars between the extremity of the bow of Sagittarius & the
right foot of Ophiuchus, very near to the star 65 Ophiuchi,
according to the catalog of Flamsteed.
Sweep 269 (July 15, 1830)
RA 17h 46m 61.0s, NPD 108d 57m 48s (1830.0)
A star 10m in the centre of a beautiful discrete cluster of 60 or 70 stars
10 and 11 m and one of 9.10. They run in lines and arches. It is loose and
straggling, and the sky around it has a dotted appearance.
A star 10th magnitude in the centre of a beautiful discrete cluster of 60 or
70 stars of 10th and 11th magnitude and one of 9th or 10th. They run in lines
and arches. It is loose and straggling, and the sky around it has a dotted
appearance.
Sweep 33 (July 24, 1826)
RA 17h 46m 61.9s, NPD 108d 58m 18s (1830.0)
A v large, coarse straggl cluster of about 100 stars 9.10...13m. It is
announced several minutes before by an increased number of stars in the
field.
A very large, coarse straggled cluster of about 100 stars 9.10...13m. It is
announced several minutes before by an increased number of stars in the
field.
Last Modification: January 2, 2005