Catch the Celestial Teapot!

Attention night owls! If you're peering into the southeastern sky tonight, a special treat awaits you. The Teapot of Sagittarius, a prominent asterism nestled near the Milky Way, is making its presence known. Its lid is marked by the bright star Lambda (λ) Sagittarii, and just a short 2.5 degrees northeast lies your cosmic target: globular cluster M22.

Meet M22: A Celestial Star-Cluster!

Shining at a vivid magnitude of 5.1, M22 is one of the most luminous globular clusters visible from our planet. While it's best observed with binoculars or a telescope, keen stargazers in areas with minimal light pollution can even spot its faint glow with the naked eye! M22 spans an impressive size in the sky—about as wide as the Full Moon—and is home to a staggering 70,000 stars.

What makes M22 even more fascinating? It's relatively close to us at a distance of roughly 10,000 light-years and stretches about 200 light-years across!

Optimal Viewing Time!

Plan your stargazing adventures! M22 will be visible from nightfall through midnight and into the early morning on the 18th, as Sagittarius gracefully arcs across the southern sky. For the best viewing experience, tune in around 2 A.M. local daylight time, when it reaches its highest position for stellar detail.

Don’t Miss the Celestial Timings!

Mark your calendars for the following celestial events: - **Sunrise**: 5:31 A.M. - **Sunset**: 8:31 P.M. - **Moonrise**: 12:28 A.M. - **Moonset**: 11:46 A.M. - **Moon Phase**: Waning gibbous (62%)

These celestial wonders are best viewed from 40° N 90° W, revealing nature's beauty in the night sky that you won't want to miss!