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| NGC 6304 | |
|---|---|
| Observation data (J2000.0[1] epoch) | |
| Class | VI [2] |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus[3] |
| Right ascension | 17h 14m 32.25s [1] |
| Declination | −29° 27′ 43.3″ [1] |
| Distance | 19.2 kly [2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.03 [1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 3.8' |
| Physical characteristics | |
| VHB | 16.25 [4] |
| Metallicity | = -0.45 [4] dex |
| Estimated age | ~12.3 Gyr[5] |
| Other designations | Bennett 90,[3] C 1711-294,[1] |
NGC 6304 is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. William Herschel discovered this star cluster using an 18.5-inch (47 cm) f/13 speculum reflector telescope in 1786.[3] It is about 19,000 light-years away, near the Milky Way's central bulge.[7]
