Suggested Searches

 

Messier 72

This is one of the most remote clusters in Messier’s catalog.

Distance

50,000 light-years

Apparent Magnitude

9.4

constellation

Aquarius

object type

Globular Cluster

Thousands of bright stars fill a spherically shaped globular cluster. In the center, most of the stars appear blue. The globular cluster’s bright blue-white core is surrounded by a thick shell of yellower stars, seen in differing sizes according to their position in the spherical star cluster. They spread out beyond the edges of the image, appearing smaller and sparser at the corners of the image. A distant spiral galaxy is also visible in the lower-left corner of the image.
This striking Hubble image of M72 was released for Hubble's 35th anniversary. It uses data from previous Hubble observations with the addition of newer ultraviolet data. The colors indicate groups of different types of stars. Here, blue stars are those that were originally more massive and have reached hotter temperatures after burning through much of their hydrogen fuel; the bright red objects are lower-mass stars that have become red giants. Studying groups of stars at different at different wavelengths of light helps astronomers understand how globular clusters initially formed.
ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Sarajedini, G. Piotto, M. Libralato

Pierre Méchain, a French astronomer and colleague of Charles Messier, discovered the globular cluster M72 in 1780. It was the first of five star clusters that Méchain would discover while assisting Messier and, at a distance of 50,000 light-years from Earth, it is one of the most remote clusters in Messier’s catalog. M72 is located in the constellation Aquarius and has an apparent magnitude of 9.4. The cluster appears as a faint patch of light in small telescopes, and the best time to observe it is during September.

A globular cluster is an ancient, spherical collection of old stars that are packed very closely together toward the cluster’s center. The stars in the cluster orbit around a mutual center of gravity at this dense core. Roughly 150 globular clusters have been discovered in the Milky Way galaxy.

M72
This Hubble image combines observations of M72 at visible and infrared wavelengths. Capturing huge numbers of stars in the cluster itself, the picture also reveals many galaxies that are much more distant than M72. One relatively bright, face-on spiral galaxy is visible near the lower-left corner of the image.
ESA/Hubble & NASA

For more information about Hubble’s observations of M72, see:

locator star chart for M72
This star chart for M72 represents the view from mid-northern latitudes for the given month and time.
Image courtesy of Stellarium

Explore Hubble's Messier Catalog

The following pages contain some of Hubble’s best images of Messier objects.
Hubble’s Messier Catalog

Overview The Messier catalog, begun by astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th Century and revised over the years, includes some…
Messier 1 (The Crab Nebula)

Better known as the Crab Nebula, Charles Messier originally mistook Messier 1 for Halley’s Comet, which inspired him to create…
Messier 2

Hubble's image of Messier 2 is comprised of visible and infrared wavelengths of light.

More Things Hubble

nearly spherical gathering of white stars at center top. Blue gas cloud extends from top left to center bottom

Hubble Science Highlights

Hubble’s most notable scientific discoveries reflect the broad range of research and the breakthroughs it has achieved.

Upper left: "Hubble Focus" opening of the telescope is the "O" Center: bright-white star, Center Bottom: Orange-red planet with cloud bands, Center: small, bright-white star and very small red-orange dwarf star

Hubble E-books

Investigate the mysteries of the universe with Hubble. Learn Hubble's history. E-books dive deeper into Hubble discoveries and more.

Hubble Online Activities

Find your Hubble birthday image, take interactive tours, play games, and more.

c39-2b

Caldwell Catalog

Your backyard telescope and binoculars may not have the capabilities of Hubble, but you can still see amazing objects. Compare what you see with the images Hubble has taken.