Globular cluster · Ophiuchus

M12

Also known as: NGC 6218

mag 6.614′ across

About

M12 is a globular cluster of magnitude 6.6 in Ophiuchus, about 14′ across.

M12 is in the constellation Ophiuchus.
Best evenings: around mid-July it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 78° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A fuzzy ball, brighter towards the middle.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Resolves into a swarm of stars at medium power, with a dense core.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M12, NGC 6218
Type	Globular cluster
Magnitude	6.6The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	14′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 21.0 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Ophiuchus
Right ascension (J2000)	16h 47m 14.5s
Declination (J2000)	−01° 56′ 52″