M19 - NGC 6273

Messier 19 (NGC 6273) is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus, located approximately 28,700 light-years from Earth. It holds the distinction of being one of the most oblate (flattened) globular clusters known, with a noticeably elongated shape that is apparent in photographs and can be detected visually in larger amateur telescopes. This unusual shape is thought to result from tidal forces exerted by the Milky Way's gravitational field, as M19 lies only about 6,500 light-years from the galactic center, making it one of the closest globular clusters to the core of our galaxy. The cluster contains several hundred thousand stars within a diameter of approximately 140 light-years and shines at an apparent magnitude of 7.5. M19 was discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764, and was first resolved into individual stars by William Herschel. The cluster has a moderately concentrated core, classified as Class VIII on the Shapley-Sawyer scale, and its estimated age is around 11.9 billion years. M19 is a challenging but rewarding target for amateur observers. Through binoculars, it appears as a small, slightly fuzzy star. A telescope of 6 inches or more begins to show the cluster's granularity and hints of its elongated shape, which is oriented roughly north-south. The cluster's relatively faint magnitude and small apparent size of about 17 arcminutes make it less dramatic than some other Messier globulars, but its unique shape and proximity to the galactic center make it an interesting object for those exploring the Ophiuchus globular cluster population.

Spans about 140 light-years across with several hundred thousand stars at a distance of 28,700 light-years, only 6,500 light-years from the galactic center.