Globular cluster · Sagittarius

M54

Also known as: NGC 6715

mag 7.79′ across

About

M54 is a globular cluster of magnitude 7.7 in Sagittarius, about 9′ across.

M54 is in the constellation Sagittarius.
Best evenings: around mid-August 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 50° N.
Teapot: A compact globular cluster beside Ascella — it belongs to another galaxy, the Sagittarius Dwarf.

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 small fuzzy star.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A bright round glow; its edges break into stars at high power.

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

Designations	M54, NGC 6715
Type	Globular cluster
Magnitude	7.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	9′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 21.1 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension (J2000)	18h 55m 03.3s
Declination (J2000)	−30° 28′ 43″