M 16
OPEN STAR CLUSTER
Right Ascension:
18h 18m 48s
Best Seen:
7/1-10/15
Declination:
-13º 47' 00"
Magnitude:
6.4
Computer File
m16
Constellation:
Serpens
Actual
Compared to
Distance
7,000 l.y.
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Actual Brightness
--
--
Number of stars
55
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Diameter
70 l.y.
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Age
5.5 million years
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Integrated Spectral Type
--
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR THROUGH THE TELESCOPE:
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Recommended eyepiece: 40mm or 80 mm.
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Through the telescope the cluster will appear as a group of individual stars.
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Some nebulosity, and perhaps dark pillars, may also be seen.
M 16 INFORMATION:
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Some stars in this cluster may have started to shine no more than 50,000 years ago.
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Other stars have not reached the main sequence yet. These stars are not yet middle-aged.
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Although it cannot be seen through the telescope, the northwestern portion of the cluster still has a portion of a diffuse nebula.
a. This nebula is called the Eagle Nebula, and was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.
b. In pictures of the Eagle Nebula, EGGs can be seen: Evaporating Gaseous Globules. These EGGs are new stars still enveloped by the gas and dust from which they’re forming.
- The star cluster was discovered in 1745-6 by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux. Charles Messier independently discovered it in 1764, and at the same time mentioned the faint glow of the nebula.
Item
Updated
Notes
Coordinates
12-10-2002
tweaked with SIMBAD and http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m016.html
Magnitude
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m016.html
Distance
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m016.html
Actual Brightness
Number of Stars
12-10-2002
can find no support for this, but left it
Diameter
12-10-2002
previously said 70 ly, but SEDs site says cluster is about 15 ly, and adding nebula corresponds to 70 x 55 ly.
Age
12-10-2002
OK with SEDs site
Integrated Spectral Type
Other Information
12-10-2002
discovery and nebula info: http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m016.html