This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: Globular cluster M4

There’s a wonderful sphere of stars visible at this time of year.
By | Published: July 14, 2025 | Last updated on July 28, 2025

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Astronomy magazine's Dave Eicher encourages viewers to observe Messier object 4 (M4), a globular cluster.
  • M4 is located in the constellation Scorpius.
  • Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, serves as a navigational guide for locating M4.
  • While potentially visible to the naked eye under optimal conditions, telescopic observation is recommended for optimal viewing of M4's stellar structure.

In this episode, Astronomy magazine Editor Dave Eicher invites you to head out and observe M4, the wonderful globular cluster in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. You can use the Scorpion’s brightest star, 1st-magnitude Antares, as your guide. Although sharp-eyed observers may pick this up with their naked eyes, its swarms of stars look best through a telescope. Good luck!