Messier 2

Globular cluster

AI overview

Messier 2 is a dense, spherical collection of hundreds of thousands of old stars that orbits the outer region of our Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers study it to understand how stars form and evolve in extreme conditions, and it serves as a useful reference point for measuring distances in our galaxy.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Distance from Earth: 0.012
Radius: 88
Image: M2 Globular Cluster.jpg

Show 13 more facts

spectral class: II
Commons category: Messier 2
catalog code: C 2130-010
Commons gallery: Messier 2
time of discovery or invention: 1746-09-11
apparent magnitude: 6.384
radial velocity: -6.7
absolute magnitude: -8.97
metallicity: -1.66
right ascension: 323.362583
declination: -0.823250
right ascension component of proper motion: 6.77
declination component of proper motion: -4.54

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Article

Messier 2 or M2 (also designated NGC 7089) is a globular cluster in the constellation Aquarius, five degrees north of the star Beta Aquarii. It was discovered by Jean-Dominique Maraldi in 1746, and is one of the largest known globular clusters.

Discovery and visibility