M 12 (GC)
Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16h 47m 15.2s | -01° 57′ 01.0″ | 16.0′ | 6.1 | 11.9 | IX | GC | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
M12 is a moderately bright globular cluster 16,000 light-years away in Ophiuchus, sitting just 3° from the brighter M10. Notable for its relatively loose, irregular core compared to most globulars of its size.
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Club 10-inch LX200): Similar brightness and size to M10. The brighter stars are well resolved. What differentiates this globular is its shape — more irregular ragged edges compared to the symmetry of M10. Averted vision begins to resolve stars in the core.(Saturday, June 2025)
References
Charts
Ultra-wide view (~25° field)
Wide-field view with Telrad rings (4°, 2°, 0.5°)
Finderscope view (9×50 RACI, ~4.4° TFOV)
Eyepiece view — 35 mm Panoptic on 12-inch f/5 (1.6° TFOV)