Object Type | Star Cloud |
Constellation | Sagittarius |
Magnitude | 4.6 |
Size | 90.0' x 60.0' |
Messier object number 24, sometimes identified as IC 4715, is not a "true" deep sky object, but a huge star cloud in Milky Way, a pseudo-cluster of stars spread thousands of light years along the line of sight in the constellation of Sagittarius. Only a portion of the star cloud is visib;#le in the image above. It is easily visible to the naked eye as a richer portion of the Milky Way.
In the wide-angle image below, M 24 is the large patch of stars towards the lower left. To the upper right is M17, the Omega or Swan Nebula, while to the far right is M16, the Eagle Nebula.