M55
globular cluster · Sagittarius · 7.0ᵐ
A Messier catalogue object — globular cluster in Sagittarius.
Notable facts
About 1/2 the apparent diameter of the Moon.
In brief
Which constellation is M55 in?
M55 lies in Sagittarius.
Is M55 visible to the naked eye?
7.0ᵐ — visible with binoculars.
When is the best time to observe M55?
Best observed in July.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 19h 40m · −30° 58′
- Type
- globular cluster
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- How to observe
- 7.0ᵐ — visible with binoculars
- Angular size
- 19′
- Designation
- M55 · NGC 6809
Observing tip
In binoculars it is a fuzzy ball; a 100–150 mm telescope starts to resolve individual stars around the edges.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | 4° | 154° |
| +45° | 14° | 137° |
| +30° | 29° | 126° |
| 0° | 59° | 121° |
| −35° | 86° | 129° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 11:54 |
| February | 09:47 |
| March | 08:02 |
| April | 06:09 |
| May | 04:14 |
| June | 02:08 |
| July | 00:04 |
| August | 22:03 |
| September | 20:10 |
| October | 18:21 |
| November | 16:21 |
| December | 14:12 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.