Messier 28

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Messier 28
Globular cluster List of globular clusters
Observation data
(Epoch J2000)
Class IV
Constellation Sagittarius
Right ascension 18h 24m 32.89s[1]
Declination -24° 52′ 11.4″[1]
Distance 18.3 kly (5.6 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V) +7.66[1]
Apparent dimensions (V) 11′.2
Physical characteristics
Mass ( M)
Radius 30 ly[2]
VHB
Estimated age
Notable features Contains pulsar
Other designations M 28, NGC 6626, GCl 94[1]


Messier 28 (also known as M28 or NGC 6626) is a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

M28 is at a distance of about 18,000 to 19,000 light-years away from Earth. 18 RR Lyrae type variable stars have been observed in this cluster. In 1987, M28 became the second globular cluster where a millisecond pulsar was discovered (the first was Globular Cluster M4).

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Results for NGC 6626. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  2. ^ distance × sin( diameter_angle / 2 ) = 30 ly. radius