Messier Index/M23

Messier 23 (also known as NGC 6494) is an w:open cluster in the w:constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by w:Charles Messier on w:June 20, w:1764.

Messier 23
Observation data (w:J2000 epoch)
ConstellationSagittarius
Right ascension17h 56.8m
Declination−19° 01′
Distance2.15 kly (659 Pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)6.9
Apparent dimensions (V)27.0′
Other designationsNGC 6494

M23 is at a distance of about 2,150 w:light-years away from w:Earth, its radius is around 15-20 w:light years. There are some 150 identified members in this cluster, the brightest being of magnitude 9.2. M23 can be found with a modestly sized w:telescope in the rich starfields of the Sagittarius w:Milky Way.