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M92
globular cluster in Hercules
M92 is a fine globular cluster in Hercules that is often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, M13. It is one of the older clusters in the Milky Way, and it is bright, compact and high in the sky from northern sites, so it is a good target for a different globular option.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- M92
- Type
- globular cluster
- Constellation
- Hercules
- Size
- 14′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 6.4
- Distance
- about 26,700 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Jun
- Typical prime months
- Mar to Aug
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Filter
- No filter (broadband)
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How to image M92
- At 14 arcminutes, 800 to 1,200 mm frames it with room for the halo.
- Shoot it on the same night as M13, because they are in the same part of the sky.
- Short exposures blended in protect its dense core.
Framing: what focal length?
M92 is small, so a "60% of the frame" focal length would be impractical. Here is how much of an APS-C frame it covers at common long focal lengths; expect to crop.
| Focal length | Share of the frame width |
|---|---|
| 1,000 mm | about 17% |
| 2,000 mm | about 35% |
| 3,000 mm | about 52% |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point M92 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 78° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 88° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 82° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 72° | High in the sky |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 12° | Stays low |
Also worth imaging
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