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Messier 14 is a globular cluster located in the constellation Ophiuchus. The distance of our solar system to M14 has been determined at 30,300 light years. The total mass of M14 is about 400,000 solar masses (about 150,000 stars). The shape of the cluster is elongated, mainly due to its rotation speed and mass.
Many variable stars (around 79) have been detected in M14. In 1938, a nova exploded in M14, but this was not discovered until, in 1964, when some astronomers were studying older plates (1932-63) taken by Helen Sawyer Hogg.
Additional Information
Object
Name(s): Messier 14. NGC 6402
Type: Globular Cluster
RA: 17h 37m 35s
Dec: -03º 14’ 39”
Constellation: Ophiuchus
Size (arcmin): 11×11 arcmin
Magnitude: +7.6
Distance: 30,300 ly
Image
Date: 2021-04-19 to 2021-05-18
Location: iTelescope.net, SSO near Coonabarabran, NSW Australia
Size (arcmin): 35×30 arcmin
Telescope: 20” f/4.5 Reflector
Camera: FLI PL6303E (3072x2048pix)
Guiding: Astrodon MonsterMOAG off-axis guider
Total exposure: 6 hours (L: 1.5 h; R, G, B: 1.5 h each)
Processing: CCDStack, Photoshop CC 2021