Messier 14
Globular cluster in Ophiuchus discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.
Messier 14 (also cataloged as M14 and NGC 6402) is a globular cluster located in the constellation Ophiuchus. Charles Messier first recorded it in 1764. The cluster lies roughly 30,000 light-years from Earth and is home to several hundred thousand stars. With an apparent magnitude of +7.6, it is easily visible through binoculars, while medium-sized telescopes reveal hints of individual stars, the brightest of which shines at magnitude +14.
The cluster’s total luminosity is about 400,000 times that of the Sun, giving it an absolute magnitude of −9.12. Its shape is distinctly elongated, and it spans roughly 100 light-years across. Within M14, astronomers have identified 70 variable stars, many of the W Virginis type common in globular clusters. In 1938, a nova erupted in the cluster, though it went unnoticed until 1964, when astronomers examined photographic plates from that era. The nova is estimated to have peaked at magnitude +9.2—more than five times brighter than the cluster’s brightest normal star.
About 3° southwest of M14 lies the fainter globular cluster NGC 6366.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Class
- VIII
- Constellation
- Ophiuchus
- Ra
- 17 · 37 · 36.15
- Dec
- –03 · 14 · 45.3
- Dist Ly
- 30.3 kly
- Appmag V
- 7.6
- Radius Ly
- 50 ly
- Metal Fe
- –1.28
- Names
- NGC 6402
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Messier 14 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. At a distance of about 30,000 light-years, it contains several hundred thousand stars. The cluster's shape is decidedly elongated, and it is about 100 light-years across. Its total luminosity is in the order of 400,000 times that of the Sun, corresponding to an absolute magnitude of −9.12. At an apparent magnitude of +7.6, it can be easily observed with binoculars; medium-sized telescopes will show some hint of the individual stars, the brightest of which is of magnitude +14. A total of 70 variable stars are known in M14, many of the W Virginis variety common in globular clusters. In 1938, a nova appeared, although this was not discovered until photographic plates from that time were studied in 1964. It is estimated that the nova reached a maximum brightness of magnitude +9.2, over five times brighter than the brightest 'normal' star in the cluster. Slightly over 3° southwest of M14 lies the faint globular cluster NGC 6366.
Reader's Guide
Messier 14 is a globular cluster in Ophiuchus, discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. Its significance lies in its elongated shape, which is unusual for globular clusters, and its rich population of variable stars, including 70 known variables, many of the W Virginis type. The cluster is also notable for a nova that occurred in 1938, discovered only in 1964 from photographic plates; this nova reached magnitude +9.2, over five times brighter than the cluster's brightest normal star. At a distance of about 30,000 light-years and spanning about 100 light-years, M14 contains several hundred thousand stars and has a total luminosity 400,000 times that of the Sun. It is easily observed with binoculars at magnitude +7.6, and medium-sized telescopes can resolve some of its stars, the brightest of which is magnitude +14. The cluster's legacy includes its inclusion in the Messier catalog and its study as a typical globular cluster with an unusual shape and a historic nova event.
Did You Know?
- The cluster contains 70 known variable stars, many of the W Virginis type.
- A nova appeared in M14 in 1938, but was not discovered until 1964 from photographic plates.
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