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Messier Index/M68

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Messier 68 (also known as M68 or NGC 4590) is a w:globular cluster in the w:Hydra constellation. It was discovered by w:Charles Messier in w:1780. M68 is at a distance of about 33,000 w:light-years away from w:Earth.

Messier 68
M68 from w:Hubble Space Telescope; 3.32′ view
Credit: w:NASA/w:STScI/w:WikiSky
Observation data (w:J2000 epoch)
ClassX
ConstellationHydra
Right ascension12h 39m 28.01s[1]
Declination-26° 44′ 34.9″[1]
Distance33.3 kly[citation needed] (10.2 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)+9.67[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)11′.0
Physical characteristics
Mass- kg (- M)
Radius53 ly[2]
VHB-
Estimated age11.2 Gyr
Notable featuresRelatively metal poor.[citation needed]
Other designationsM68, NGC 4590, GCl 20[1]

References

  1. ↑ a b c d "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 4590. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  2. ↑ distance × sin( diameter_angle / 2 ) = 53 ly. radius
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