This young open star cluster is located in the direction of the galactic center in a crowded region, near much irregular absorption features on Sagittarius arm. Located about 2,000 light years away from Earth, this little group of stars spans across about 19 light years of space. Caught inside of its influence are four giant stars – two of spectral type M and two of type G. It contains around 86 members that may have began life together some 90 million years.
This galactic star cluster was originally discovered by Philippe Loys de Cheseaux in 1745 and included in Charles Messier’s catalogue in 1764. Oddly enough, it was one of those curious objects that didn’t get catalogued by Sir John Herschel – therefore it never received a NGC number.
The image was taken with a 6 inches f5 Orion Optics Uk and a QSI WS 583 riding in a SW NEQ6 from 120 km north from Buenos Aires City. Total exposure time 2 hours through LRGB Baader filters.
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