Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox globular cluster
Messier 70 or M70, also known as NGC 6681, is a globular cluster of stars to be found in the south of Sagittarius.Template:Efn It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780.Template:Efn<ref name=Adam2018/> The famous comet Hale–Bopp was discovered near this cluster in 1995.<ref name=Mobberley2013/>Template:Efn
It is about 29,400<ref name=apj742_1_51/> light years away from Earth and around Template:Convert<ref name=Watson1994/> from the Galactic Center. It is roughly the same size and luminosity as its neighbour in space, M69.<ref name=Hartmut2011/> M70 has a very small core radius of Template:Convert<ref name=Djorgovski1993/> and a half-light radius of Template:Convert.<ref name=Forbes2008/> This cluster has undergone core collapse, leaving it centrally concentrated<ref name=Pryor1989/> with the luminosity distribution following a power law.<ref name=Watson1994/>
There are two distinct stellar populations in the cluster, with each displaying unique abundances. These likely represent different generations of stars.<ref name=OMalley2017/> Five known variable stars lie within its broadest radius, the tidal radius, all of which are RR Lyrae variables.<ref name=Liller1983/><ref name=Clement2001/> The cluster may have two blue stragglers near the core.<ref name=Watson1994/>
GalleryEdit
- Messier 70 Hubble WikiSky.jpg
Image by Hubble Space Telescope
- M70map.png
Map showing M70, against a conventional (southern) horizon
See alsoEdit
References and footnotesEdit
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External linksEdit
Template:Sky Template:Portal bar Template:Messier objects Template:Ngc70