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Messier 73 |
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 | M73, a small open cluster in the constellation Aquarius, is a minor though genuine Messier object, probably appearing just nebulous enough through Messier's early-generation telescope to qualify. It is a group of four bright stars with not much else around. Although some people think it is an asterism, that is, an accidental grouping on the sky of unrelated stars, others think it may be a genuine physical group, though sparse (in the extreme). In a 8" at 188x, all four stars are easily visible, with the two forks of the Y shape being the brightest stars. The base of the Y is so short, that it more closely resembles a triangle, especially at lower powers. |
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| You can find more information about this Messier object by visiting: SEDS - The Messier Catalog. |
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M73 NGC 6994 Other description: Asterism. Constellation: Aquarius Dreyer description: Cluster, extremely sparse in stars, very little compressed, no nebula; = M73. Magnitude: 9.0 RA: 20h 59m 13.9s Dec: -12°37'07" RA: 20h 59m 00.0s Dec: -12°38'00" (Epoch 2000) Azm: 18°29'10" Alt: -55°08'20" Rise: 22:37 Transit: 03:50 Set: 08:58 Size: 3.0' |