Messier 19 or M19 (also designated NGC 6273) is a w:globular cluster in the w:constellation w:Ophiuchus. It was discovered by w:Charles Messier in w:1764 and added to his catalogue of w:comet-like objects that same year.

Messier 19
Messier 19 by Hubble Space Telescope; 2.5′ view
Credit: NASA/STScI/WikiSky
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassVIII
ConstellationOphiuchus
Right ascension17h 02m 37.69s[1]
Declination-26° 16′ 04.6″[1]
Distance28.0 kly (8.6 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)+7.47[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)17′.0
Physical characteristics
Masskg ( M)
Radius70
Other designationsNGC 6273, GCl 52[1]

M19 is the most w:oblate of the known globular clusters. It is at a distance of about 28,000 w:light-years from the w:Solar System, and is quite near to the w:Galactic Center, at only about 5,200 light-years away.

External links

References

  1. a b c d "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 6273. Retrieved 2006-11-16.
 
Messier 19 Courtesy Hunter Wilson
 
Messier 19 from w:2MASS; wide view