M 72
Scientific overview
M 72 is a globular cluster in the constellation Aquarius. It shines at apparent magnitude 8.96 and spans about 4.5 arcminutes of sky.
Observation guide
Guidance follows standard observing practice, derived from the object's real magnitude and position. A dark, moonless sky always helps.
Location in the sky
Precision measurements
Distances and velocities from SIMBAD · M 72
| Radial velocity | -331.39 ± 1.47 km/s | SIMBAD · measured |
| Right ascension (ICRS) | 313.365417 deg | SIMBAD · measured |
| Declination (ICRS) | -12.537306 deg | SIMBAD · measured |
Full field-level provenance
- Radial velocity: Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · rvz_radvel · 2019MNRAS.482.5138B · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11
- Right ascension (ICRS): Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · ra · 2010AJ....140.1830G · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11
- Declination (ICRS): Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) · SIMBAD · basic · dec · 2010AJ....140.1830G · direct catalogue measurement · retrieved 2026-07-11
Physical size is derived from the OpenNGC angular size and the catalogued distance (small-angle: size = angle × distance). This is a Galactic object: its Doppler shift is shown as a radial velocity, not a cosmological redshift. Fields a source did not provide are omitted, never invented.
Other objects in Aquarius
| Object | Type | Mag | Size (′) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M 2M 2 · NGC 7089 | Globular cluster | 6.25 | 8.4 |
| Helix NebulaC 63 · NGC 7293 | Planetary nebula | 7.3 | 16.33 |
| Saturn NebulaC 55 · NGC 7009 | Planetary nebula | 8 | 0.7 |
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- OpenNGCOpenNGC (M. Verga) — NGC/IC, Messier, and Caldwell catalogue data
Openly-licensed deep-sky catalogue: object types, positions, magnitudes, sizes, morphology, and cross-identifiers.