Messier 15

Messier 15
Deep Broadband (RGB) image of M15
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ClassIV
ConstellationPegasus
Right ascension21h 29m 58.33s
Declination+12° 10 01.2
Distance35.69 ± 0.43 kly (10.944 ± 0.131 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)6.2
Apparent dimensions (V)18′.0
Physical characteristics
Mass5.6×105 M
Radius~88 ly
VHB15.83
Metallicity = –2.37 dex
Estimated age12.0 Gyr
Notable featuressteep central cusp
Other designationsNGC 7078, GCl 120

Messier 15 or M15 (also designated NGC 7078 and sometimes known as the Great Pegasus Cluster) is a globular cluster in the constellation Pegasus. It was discovered by Jean-Dominique Maraldi in 1746 and included in Charles Messier's catalogue of comet-like objects in 1764. At an estimated 12.5±1.3 billion years old, it is one of the oldest known globular clusters.