Wild Duck Cluster
Appearance
![]() The Wild Duck Cluster (M11-NGC 6705) | |
Object type | Open cluster ![]() |
---|---|
Other designations | Messier 11, NGC 6705 |
Observation data (Epoch J2000.0) | |
Constellation | Scutum |
18h 51.1m | |
Declination | −06° 16′ |
Distance | 6,200 ly / 1,900 pc |
In visual light (V) | |
6.3 | |
Size | 14.0′ |
Estimated age | 220 million years |
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The Wild Duck Cluster (also known as Messier 11, or NGC 6705) is an open cluster in the constellation Scutum. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1681. Charles Messier included it in his catalogue in 1764.
The Wild Duck Cluster is one of the richest and most compact of the known open clusters, containing about 2900 stars. Its age has been estimated to about 220 million years. Its name derives from the brighter stars forming a triangle which could represent a flying flock of ducks.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wild Duck Cluster.
- Messier 11, SEDS Messier pages
- Messier 11 - LRGB result based on 2 hrs total data
- Messier 11 in Scutum Star Cloud - 50mm wide-field DSLR image
- The Wild Duck Cluster on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images