Messier 9

Messier 9
Messier 9 by HST Credit: NASA/ESA
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Class	VIII
Constellation	Ophiuchus
Right ascension	17h 19m 11.78s
Declination	–18° 30′ 58.5″
Distance	25.8 kly (7.9 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	+8.42
Apparent dimensions (V)	12′.0
Physical characteristics
Mass	4.22×105 M☉
Radius	45 ly
Metallicity	–1.77 dex
Estimated age	12.0 Gyr
Other designations	NGC 6333

Messier 9 or M9 (also designated NGC 6333) is a globular cluster in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

M9 is one of the nearer globular clusters to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy with a distance of around 5,500 light-years. Its distance from Earth is 25,800 light-years.

The total luminosity of this cluster is around 120,000 times that of the Sun, the absolute magnitude being -8.04. The brightest individual stars in M9 are of apparent magnitude 13.5, making them visible in moderately sized telescopes. There have been 13 variable stars found in M9.

Nearby, at about 80' to the northeast of M9 is the dimmer globular cluster NGC 6356, while at about 80' to the southeast is the globular NGC 6342.

Gallery

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  Messier 9, from 2MASS

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  Map showing the location of Messier 9

External links

• Messier 9, SEDS Messier pages
• M9, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page
• The glittering stars of Messier 9, March 16, 2012, Tg Daily Staff, TG Daily
• Messier 9 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images