Messier Index/M11
The Wild Duck Cluster (also known as Messier 11, or NGC 6705) is an w:open cluster in the w:constellation w:Scutum. It was discovered by w:Gottfried Kirch in 1681. w:Charles Messier included it in his catalogue in 1764.
| Wild Duck Cluster | |
|---|---|
 The Wild Duck Cluster (M11-NGC 6705) | |
| Observation data (J2000.0 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Scutum |
| Right ascension | 18h 51.1m |
| Declination | −06° 16′ |
| Distance | 6,200 ly (1,900 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.3 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 14.0′ |
| Other designations | Messier 11, NGC 6705 |
The Wild Duck Cluster is one of the richest and most compact of the known open clusters, containing about 2900 w:stars. Its age has been estimated to about 220 million years. Its name derives from the brighter stars forming a triangle which could represent a flying flock of w:ducks.
