Summer

Messier 70 (M70) is a globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1780, it is part of the well-known Messier catalog of deep-sky objects. Like many other globular clusters, M70 is a dense collection of stars bound together by gravity, with an estimated population of hundreds of thousands of stars. It lies approximately 29,300 light-years away from Earth and has been the subject of interest due to its position near the core of the Milky Way.

Messier 69 (M69), also known as NGC 6637, is a globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1780, this dense cluster of stars is part of the Milky Way galaxy and is notable for its compact and bright appearance. While not as famous as some other Messier objects, M69 offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient star populations of our galaxy.

Messier 55 (M55), also known as the "Summer Rose Star Cluster," is a globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752 and later cataloged by Charles Messier in 1778, M55 is a tightly bound cluster of hundreds of thousands of stars, gravitationally held together. This celestial object is notable for its relatively loose structure and lack of a dense core, making it appear more like an open cluster than a typical globular cluster.

Messier 54 (M54) is a bright and densely packed globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1778, it was initially thought to be a part of the Milky Way galaxy. However, later observations revealed that M54 belongs to the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy (SagDEG), making it one of the first globular clusters known to reside outside our galaxy. This discovery added to the complexity of globular cluster formation and their relationship to the galaxies they orbit.

Messier 28 (M28) is a globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier in 1764, this dense collection of stars is one of the many globular clusters orbiting the Milky Way. It is about 18,000 light-years away from Earth, making it a relatively distant member of the Messier catalog. Despite its distance, M28 is visible with a small telescope, and even binoculars can reveal its presence in the sky.

Messier 25 (M25), also designated as IC 4725, is an open star cluster in the constellation of Sagittarius. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745 and included in Charles Messier's catalog in 1764. The cluster boasts an impressive array of over 600 stars, spanning a diameter of about 19 light-years. Situated approximately 2,000 light-years from Earth, M25's stars are relatively young, averaging 90 million years old. The cluster predominantly consists of luminous, hot, blue-white stars, with several evolved red giants contributing to its varied composition.

Messier 24, also known as the Sagittarius Star Cloud, is a vast star cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Unlike many objects in Charles Messier's catalog, M24 isn't a singular astronomical object like a galaxy, nebula, or star cluster. Instead, it’s a dense star field that stretches over 600 light-years across, filled with tens of thousands of stars. This window into the Milky Way’s spiral arm reveals a part of the galaxy relatively unobstructed by interstellar dust, providing a spectacular view of stars packed together like glittering diamonds.

Messier 23 (M23), also known as NGC 6494, is a bright open cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. It lies at a distance of approximately 2,150 light-years from Earth and spans about 15-20 light-years across. M23 is composed of around 150 to 200 stars, many of which are relatively young, shining brightly with blue and white hues. This cluster offers a stunning view through small telescopes, revealing a rich, scattered pattern of stars.

Messier 22, also known as M22 or NGC 6656, is a remarkable globular cluster situated in the constellation Sagittarius. Globular clusters are densely packed groups of stars that orbit the Milky Way’s halo, and M22 is one of the most magnificent examples. Containing over 100,000 stars, this cluster lies approximately 10,600 light-years away from Earth and spans about 97 light-years in diameter. Its compact nature and high concentration of stars give M22 a stunning appearance when viewed through telescopes.

Messier 21 (M21), also known as NGC 6531, is an open star cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, M21 is a relatively young cluster, estimated to be around 4.6 million years old. This cluster contains about 57 confirmed stars, with many being massive, hot, and luminous. Though not as famous as its neighbor, the Trifid Nebula (M20), M21 offers amateur astronomers a splendid view of stars scattered in a compact region.