NGC 6709
Open cluster in the constellation Aquila
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NGC 6709 is an open cluster of stars in the equatorial constellation of Aquila, some 5° to the southwest of the star Zeta Aquilae.[4] It is situated toward the center of the galaxy[5] at a distance of 3,510 light-years.[2]
| NGC 6709 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 18h 51m 20.6s[1] |
| Declination | +10° 20′ 02″[1] |
| Distance | 3,510 ly (1,075 pc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.7 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 13' |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 26 ly[2] (tidal) |
| Estimated age | 141 Myr[2] |
| Other designations | NGC 6709, Cr 392[3] |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Aquila |
This cluster has a Trumpler class of IV 2 m, and is considered moderately rich[5] with 305[6] member stars. It is around 141[2] million years old; about the same as the Pleiades.[6] The core radius of NGC 6709 is 2.2 ly (0.68 pc) and the tidal radius 26.4 ly (8.08 pc).[2] It contains two Be stars and one of them is a shell star. There is one candidate red giant member.[5]
On the evening of November 13, 1984, David H. Levy discovered his first comet less than a degree from this cluster.[7]
Gallery
Location diagram of NGC 6709
