Astronz Object Of The Week: Messier 22

Astronz Object Of The Week: Messier 22

High in the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky, M22 glitters like a cosmic jewel. This globular cluster, nestled in the rich star fields of Sagittarius, is one of the brightest and most accessible clusters for backyard astronomers.

What Makes M22 Special:

  • A Dense Star City: M22 contains more than 300,000 stars, bound together by gravity in a sphere about 100 light-years across.

  • Close to Home: At only 10,600 light-years away, it is one of the nearest globular clusters to Earth.

  • Visible with Modest Equipment: While you can spot it as a hazy patch with binoculars under dark skies, a telescope reveals a glittering ball of countless tiny stars.

  • A Piece of the Early Galaxy: The stars in M22 are some of the oldest in the Milky Way, over 12 billion years old, offering a glimpse into the Galaxy’s earliest days.

How to Observe M22:

  • Best Viewing Time: Look to the western side of the Sagittarius teapot asterism during spring and early summer evenings in New Zealand.

  • Equipment Tips:

    • Binoculars show it as a fuzzy glow.

    • Small telescopes (like our 6″ or 8″ Dobsonians) start to resolve the outer stars.

    • Larger telescopes bring out the dense, sparkling core.

  • Astrophotography Tip: Long-exposure images capture its golden stars beautifully against the backdrop of the Milky Way.

Why We Love M22:
At Astronz, we are passionate about helping everyone experience these celestial wonders. M22 is a perfect target for beginners and seasoned stargazers alike, reminding us how rich and ancient our Galaxy is.

 

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