Messier 12 (M 12)

Introduction | Map | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the globular star cluster M 12 (NGC 6218) in the constellation Ophiuchus.

 

Introduction

The globular star cluster M 12 is located in the constellation Ophiuchus/Serpent Bearer not far away from the globular star cluster M 10. According to Stoyan, it is interesting to observe both clusters in succession and compare them (they are about 3.25° apart). M 10 is a little larger than M 12.

Of the five globular clusters of the constellation Ophiuchus (M 9, 10, 12, 14, and 107), M 12 is the brightest.

M 12 (NGC 6218)
Size: 5' (Stoyan)
Distance: 18,000 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: ** (Stoyan)

 

Map

M 12 in Ophiuchus/Serpent Bearer is located to the right of M 10 (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

 

Find/Identify

Find: M 12 lies, together with M 10, on an oblique line in the lower third of the constellation Ophiuchus, which runs to the right to the star Lambda Ophiuchus (see map below). Since there are no characteristic stars in its vicinity, I searched for M 12 for a long time.

Identify: Since M 10 is located in a sky region with few stars, it is almost sufficient to find a globular star cluster there. But only almost, because to the left of it, there is the globular cluster M 10. In binoculars you can even see both clusters together in the field of view (they are about 3.25° apart). (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

 

My Best Own Photos

eVscope

         

M 12 - May 21, 2020

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020

 

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021

 

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021, processed

 

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021, processed and sharpened

Vespera

M 12, Jul 30, 2022 - original (30 frames = 300s)

Vespera Pro

    

M 12, Jul 4, 2024 - 1800p (90 frames = 900s), 1:1 section

 

M 12, Jul 4, 2024 - 1800p (90 frames = 900s), 1:1 section, processed

 

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

Observations September/October 2019

Observations May/July 2020

Observations July/August 2021

Observations July 2022

Observations July 2024

 

References

On this Site


Appendix: My Own Photos

         

M 12 - May 21, 2020

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - May 21, 2020

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - May 21, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - May 29, 2020

 

M 12 - May 29, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - May 29, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020

 

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - Jun 11, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - Jul 18, 2020

 

M 12 - Jul 18, 2020, processed

 

M 12 - Jul 18, 2020, processed and sharpened

   

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021

 

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021, processed

 

M 12 - Jul 17, 2021, processed and sharpened

Vespera

M 12, Jul 30, 2022 - original (30 frames = 300s)

Vespera Pro

    

M 12, Jul 4, 2024 - 1800p (90 frames = 900s), 1:1 section

 

M 12, Jul 4, 2024 - 1800p (90 frames = 900s), 1:1 section, processed