Messier 15

Messier 15 or M15 (also designated NGC 7078) is a globular cluster in the constellation Pegasus. It was discovered by Jean-Dominique Maraldi in 1746 and included in Charles Messier's catalogue of comet-like objects in 1764. At an estimated 12.5±1.3 billion years old, it is one of the oldest known globular clusters.

Messier 15
Deep Broadband (RGB) image of M15
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassIV
ConstellationPegasus
Right ascension21h 29m 58.33s
Declination+12° 10 01.2
Distance35.69 ± 0.43 kly (10.944 ± 0.131 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)6.2
Apparent dimensions (V)18′.0
Physical characteristics
Mass5.6×105 M
Radius~88 ly
VHB15.83
Metallicity = –2.37 dex
Estimated age12.0 Gyr
Notable featuressteep central cusp
Other designationsNGC 7078, GCl 120
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