M28 Globular Cluster

Messier 28 or M28, also known as NGC 6626, is a globular cluster of stars in the center-west of Sagittarius. It was discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier in 1764. He briefly described it as a “nebula containing no star… round, seen with difficulty in 31⁄2-foot telescope; Diam 2′.”

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In the sky it is less than a degree to the northwest of the 3rd magnitude star Kaus Borealis (Lambda Sgr). This cluster is faintly visible as a hazy patch with a pair of binoculars and can be readily found in a small telescope with an 8 cm (3.1 in) aperture, showing as a nebulous feature spanning 11.2 arcminutes. Using an aperture of 15 cm (5.9 in), the core becomes visible and a few distinct stars can be resolved, along the periphery. Larger telescopes will provide greater resolution, one of 25 cm (9.8 in) revealing a dense 2′ core, with more density within.

Keywords: M28, Globular Cluster, Messier, globular cluster,Sagittarius