Messier 70

Messier 70
M70 from Hubble Space Telescope; 3.32′ view Credit: NASA/STScI/WikiSky
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Class	V
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension	18h 43m 12.64s[1]
Declination	-32° 17′ 30.8″[1]
Distance	29.3 kly[citation needed] (9 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	+9.06[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)	8′.0
Physical characteristics
Radius	34 ly[2]
Other designations	M70, NGC 6681, GCl 101[1]
See also: Globular cluster, List of globular clusters

Messier 70 (also known as M70 or NGC 6681) is a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780.

M70 is at a distance of about 29,300 light years away from Earth and close to the Galactic Center. It is roughly the same size and luminosity as its neighbour in space, M69. Only two variable stars are known within this cluster.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 6681. http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/Simbad. Retrieved 2006-11-17. 
2. ^ distance × sin( diameter_angle / 2 ) = 34 ly. radius

External links

• Messier 70, SEDS Messier pages
• Messier 70, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page
• Messier 70 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 18^h 43^m 12.64^s, −32° 17′ 30.8″