Messier 14

{{short description|Globular cluster in Ophiuchus}}

{{Infobox globular cluster

| name = Messier 14

| image = 300px

| credit =

| caption = Globular cluster Messier 14 in Ophiuchus

| epoch = J2000

| class = VIII

| constellation = Ophiuchus

| ra = {{RA|17|37|36.15}}

{{cite simbad

| title=NGC 6402

| access-date=2006-11-15

}}

| dec = {{DEC|–03|14|45.3}}

| dist_ly = {{Convert|30.3|kly|kpc|abbr=on|lk=on}}

| appmag_v = 7.6{{cite web |url=http://www.messier.seds.org/m/m014.html |title=Messier 14 |access-date=21 July 2024 |website=SEDS Messier Catalog}}

| size_v = 11.0{{prime}}

| mass_msol= {{Val|1.04|e=6}}

| radius_ly= 50 lydistance × sin( diameter_angle / 2 ) = 50 ly radius

| metal_fe = –1.28

| v_hb =

| age =

| notes =

| names = NGC 6402

}}

Messier 14 (also known as M14 or NGC 6402) is a globular cluster of stars in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

At a distance of about 30,000 light-years, M14 contains several hundred thousand stars. At an apparent magnitude of +7.6 it can be easily observed with binoculars. Medium-sized telescopes will show some hint of the individual stars of which the brightest is of magnitude +14.

The total luminosity of M14 is in the order of 400,000 times that of the Sun corresponding to an absolute magnitude of -9.12. The shape of the cluster is decidedly elongated. M14 is about 100 light-years across.{{Cite web|url=https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-14/|title=Messier 14 {{!}} Messier Objects|date=31 March 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-14}}

A total of 70 variable stars are known in M14, many of the W Virginis variety common in globular clusters. In 1938, a nova appeared, although this was not discovered until photographic plates from that time were studied in 1964. It is estimated that the nova reached a maximum brightness of magnitude +9.2, over five times brighter than the brightest 'normal' star in the cluster.

Slightly over 3° southwest of M14 lies the faint globular cluster NGC 6366.