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M62 (NGC 6266) is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus which is located at a distance of about 22,500 light-years from Earth and measures some 100 light-years across. It contains a number of x-ray sources, thought to be close binary star systems, and millisecond pulsars in binary systems.

M62 is one of the most irregularly shaped globular clusters. This deformation may be a result of the fact that M62 is one of the closest of Messier's globulars to the Galactic center (only about 6100 light years), so that it is deformed by tidal forces. Its central condensation is obviously displaced from the center.

June 26, 2009