Globular Cluster Messier 10

Messier 10: Globular cluster in constellation Ophiuchus; Takahashi TOA 150/1100 APO-Refraktor f/7.27; TOA-67 Fieldflattener; SBIG STL-11000M -20 °C; 10 Micron GM 2000 QCI Ultraportable; 30 x 5 min Baader-RGB-Filter (1x1); Gurnigelpass, 1600 m AMSL; © 9. 4. 2011 Manuel Jung

History

The globular cluster Messier 10 was discovered by Charles Messier on 29 May 1764. He wrote: «Nebula without a star, in the belt of the serpent-bearer, next to the 30th star of this constellation, sixth magnitude after Flamsteed. This nebula is beautiful and round; it was difficult to see with an ordinary telescope of three feet [focal length].» [281]

Physical Properties

M 10 forms an interesting pair with its neighbor Messier 12. According to distance estimates, M 10, at 16'000 to 22'000 light years, is closer than the large globular cluster Messier 13 in the constellation Hercules. The integrated spectral type of M 10 is given as G0. The radial speed of approx. 72 km/s is relatively low compared to other globular clusters. [4]

Revised+Historic NGC/IC, Version 22/9, © Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke [277]
DesignationNGC 6254
TypeGCL (VII)
Right Ascension16h 57m 08.9s
Declination-04° 05' 56"
Diameter20 arcmin
Visual magnitude6.6 mag
Metric Distance4.400 kpc
Dreyer Description! globular, B, vL, R, gvmbM, rrr, st 10…15
Identification, RemarksM 10, GCL 49

Finder Chart

The globular cluster Messier 10 is located in the constellation Serpent Bearer (Ophiuchus) near the 4.82 mag star 30 Ophiuchi. It can best be observed in the months of May to July.

Chart Globular Cluster Messier 10
Globular Cluster Messier 10 in constellation Ophiuchus. Charts created using SkySafari 6 Pro and STScI Digitized Sky Survey. Limiting magnitudes: Constellation chart ≈ 6.5 mag, DSS2 close-ups ≈ 20 mag. [149, 160]

Visual Observation

Description pending ...

More Objects Nearby (±15°)

Messier 12
Messier 14
Messier 107
Twin Jet Nebula
Minkowski 2-9
Box Nebula
NGC 6309
NGC 6366

References

  • [4] «Burnham's Celestial Handbook: An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System» by Robert Burnham; Dover Publications, Inc.; Voume I: ISBN 0-486-23567-X; Volume II: ISBN 0-486-23568-8; Volume III: ISBN 0-486-23673-0
  • [149] SkySafari 6 Pro, Simulation Curriculum; skysafariastronomy.com
  • [160] The STScI Digitized Sky Survey; archive.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_form
  • [277] «Historische Deep-Sky Kataloge» von Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke; klima-luft.de/steinicke (2021-02-17)
  • [281] «Catalogue Nébuleuses et des Amas D'Étoiles» Observées à Paris, par M. Messier, à l'Observatoire de la Marine, hôtel de Clugni, rue des Mathurins. «Connoissance des temps ou connoissance des mouvements célestes, pour l'année bissextile 1784 » Page 227; gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6514280n/f235 (2021-02-21)