Messier 14
Template:Short description Template:Infobox globular cluster
Messier 14 (also known as M14 or NGC 6402) is a globular cluster of stars in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.
At a distance of about 30,000 light-years, M14 contains several hundred thousand stars. 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 of which the brightest is of magnitude +14.
The total luminosity of M14 is in the order of 400,000 times that of the Sun corresponding to an absolute magnitude of -9.12. The shape of the cluster is decidedly elongated. M14 is about 100 light-years across.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.
GalleryEdit
- M14HunterWilson.jpg
Messier 14 with amateur telescope
- M14map.png
Map showing location of Messier 14
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- SEDS Messier pages on M14
- M14, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page
- Template:APOD - one of the two being M14
- Template:WikiSky
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