✨ M22 (Great Sagittarius Cluster)
Object data
| Type | Globular cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Right ascension | 18h36m23.8s (279.0990°) |
| Declination | -23°54'17" (-23.9048°) |
| Magnitude | mag 5.1 |
| Apparent size | 32′ |
| Other designations | NGC 6656 |
A large, bright globular cluster in Sagittarius — one of the finest globular clusters visible from Earth.
Midnight transit date (best season to observe and image)
Location: Tokyo (change)
The date it transits around midnight (transit altitude about 30°)
This date has already passed this year. Next year (2027) it will be around Jun 27.
For about 2–3 weeks either side of this date, the object stays high from evening to dawn — its observing season.
Best time to observe tonight
Tonight (Oct 11 evening – Oct 12 dawn) · Location: Tokyo (full darkness = end of astronomical dusk to start of dawn, altitude ≥ 15°)
Moon tonight: New moon (age 29.2 days, 0% illuminated) — Little moonlight — a good time for faint objects
Hours of full darkness (end of astronomical dusk to start of dawn) when it is above 15° — the darkest sky, mostly clear of buildings and trees.
Sunset 17:11 → Dusk 18:36 → Dawn 4:19 → Sunrise 5:44