Object Analysis

Ptolemy's Cluster (Messier 7) is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Scorpius. It is easily detectable with the naked eye, appearing as a bright nebulous patch against the background of the Milky Way. It was recorded by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in 130 AD, who described it as a "nebula following the sting of Scorpius."

The cluster is located about 980 light-years from Earth and is roughly 200 million years old. It contains about 80 stars brighter than magnitude 10, spanning a field of view of 1.3 degrees—wider than two full moons.

This cluster is projected against the rich star clouds of the galactic center. Its stars are chemically similar to our Sun, containing nearly the same abundance of heavy elements like iron.