Object Analysis

Messier 22 (M22) is an elliptical globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius, near the Galactic bulge region. It is one of the brightest globulars visible in the night sky. M22 is located at a distance of about 10,600 light-years from Earth.

M22 was one of the first globular clusters to be discovered, by Abraham Ihle in 1665. It spans about 32 arcminutes in the sky, making it appear as large as the full moon. It contains roughly 70,000 stars.

M22 is notable for being one of only four globular clusters known to contain a planetary nebula (GJJC1). Recent observations suggest it may also contain two stellar-mass black holes, a discovery that challenged the theory that gravitational interactions would eject all black holes from globular clusters over time.