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Show the direction and distance to this star cluster on the Galactic Map.

Proper Name	None
Messier Number	M9
NGC/IC Number	NGC 6333
Other Designations	HD 156587
Constellation	Ophiuchus
Right Ascension	17h 19m 12s
Declination	-18° 30' 59"
Distance	c.25,800 light years c.7,900 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +7.7 Absolute: -6.8
Diameter	Apparent: 12' Actual: 90 light years
Optimum Visibility	June / July
Notes	At eighth magnitude, M9 is the brightest of a grouping of globular clusters in southeastern Ophiuchus, lying in the direction of the Galactic nucleus as seen from Earth. M9 and its fainter neighbour NGC 6342 are indeed in the near neighbourhood of the Galaxy's core, but their apparent companion NGC 6536 is considerably more distant, lying some 30,000 light years farther out across the Galactic disc.

A very distant Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus. At a distance of 22,000 light years or more, M9 lies in the vicinity of our Galaxy's core.

Towards the central parts of our Galaxy lies this ancient red-golden globe of stars: Messier 9.

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