Messier 55

Messier 55 (M55) is a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius, with an apparent magnitude of 6.5. It is about 17,600 light-years away.

Finder chart for Messier 55 in the constellation Sagittarius
Messier 55 (circled) in Sagittarius. Pink symbols mark Messier objects.
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Facts

CatalogMessier 55 (M55)
Typeglobular cluster
ConstellationSagittarius
Apparent magnitude6.5
Distanceabout 17,600 light-years
Right ascension19 h 40.0 min
Declination−30.96°
Best monthSeptember (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find M55

M55 is in Sagittarius. From 40° N it is highest in the south in September evenings, about 19° up. From 35° S it reaches about 86° in the north. Binoculars show it under a dark sky; a small telescope shows more detail.

Sagittarius constellation →

Other Messier objects in Sagittarius

Lagoon Nebula (M8)Omega Nebula (M17)Messier 18 (M18)Trifid Nebula (M20)Messier 21 (M21)Messier 22 (M22)Messier 23 (M23)Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24)Messier 25 (M25)Messier 28 (M28)Messier 54 (M54)Messier 69 (M69)Messier 70 (M70)Messier 75 (M75)

The Messier catalog →

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