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

• September 7, 2016 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102 on GoTo Mount): M 12 observed - just a faint glow...

Observations September/October 2019

• Oct 3, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 10 und M 12 (24, 10, 7, 4 mm) searched for a long time for them, because there are no guiding stars nearby; M 12 resolved into stars, smaller than M 10 and seemingly somewhat irregular.

Observations May/July 2020

• May 21, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 12 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 12 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• June 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 12 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• July 18, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 12 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• Jul 23, 2020 (Erkerode: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 10 observed, faint
• August 6, 2020 (Erkerode: TS binoculars): M 12 observed
• August 7, 2020 (Erkerode: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto Mount, TS binoculars): M 12 observed

Observations July/August 2021

• July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 12 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• August 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery Mount): M 12 observed

Observations July 2022

• July 21, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi): M 12 and further globular star clusters observed (did not find the comet)
• July 24, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5R on AZ-GTi): M 12 and further globular star clusters observed (did not find the comet)
• July 30, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 12 photographed

Observations July 2024

• July 4, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 12 photographed

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 12: messier.seds.org/m/m012.html
• Messier 12 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_12

On this Site

• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 OTA Information (4" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 OTA Information (5" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Celestron C8 OTA Information (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Celestron C5 OTA Information (5" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information
• Vaonis Vespera Pro - Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information

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