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M4 Ground-Based (NOAO) Image
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.16h 23m 35.4s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-26° 31' 31.9"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Scorpius
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.M4 is roughly 5,600 light-years from the Earth.
- DimensionsDimensionsThe physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky.10 to 30 light-years across
About the Data
- InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.WIYN/KPNO>0.9m
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.March 1995
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.M4, NGC 6121
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Globular Cluster
- Release DateApril 24, 2002
- Science ReleaseHubble Uncovers Oldest “Clocks” in Space to Read Age of Universe
- CreditNOAO/AURA/NSF
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Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
