Station Post # 6 "Messier 69 Part 1"

Posted on Thu Dec 12th, 2024 @ 2:53pm by Commodore Sureth

Mission: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 2024
Location: Starbase M-69
Timeline: Concurrent

M 69 is one of the most metal-rich systems on record. In astronomy, the term “metal” has a specialised meaning: it refers to any element heavier than the two most common elements in our Universe, hydrogen and helium. The nuclear fusion that powers stars created all of the metallic elements in nature, from the calcium in our bones to the carbon in diamonds. Successive generations of stars have built up the metallic abundances we see today. Because the stars in globular clusters are ancient, their metallic abundances are much lower than more recently formed stars, such as the Sun. Studying the makeup of stars in globular clusters like M 69 has helped astronomers trace back the evolution of the cosmos. M 69 is located 29 700 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius (the Archer). The famed French comet hunter Charles Messier added M 69 to his catalogue in 1780. It is also known as NGC 6637. The image is a combination of exposures taken in visible and near-infrared light by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, and covers a field of view of approximately 3.4 by 3.4 arcminutes.
ESA/Hubble & NASA
M69 is one of the most metal-rich globular clusters ever observed. In astronomy, the term “metal” refers to any element heavier than the two most common elements in our universe, hydrogen and helium. The nuclear fusion that powers stars created many of the metallic elements in nature, from the calcium in our bones to the carbon in diamonds. New stars are made from the remains of their predecessors, so ancient globular clusters have much lower metallic abundances than more recently formed stars, such as the sun.

The stars in M69 have over ten times more iron than stars in other globular clusters of the same age. Studying the makeup of stars in globular clusters like M69 has helped astronomers trace back the evolution of star formation in the cosmos.

This cluster was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. It is located 29,700 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. M69 has an apparent magnitude of 8.3 and can be spotted with a pair of binoculars most easily in August.

It is this point that initially Starbase M-69 was created. As a refineries for the mineral rich system to process the magnificent ores.

Admiral James Elliott commanded the first base and had numerous departments at his disposal. It was Star year 2155 and conflicts with the Romulans was well under way and star fleet needed resources.

Processing the ore took time.and the distance from Earth made this a costly venture but Elliott was convinced he would accomplish his mission.