The cluster is located approximately 1 kpc (~3,260 light-years) from the Galactic Center,[5] which results in confounded view of the cluster from the Solar System due to many intervening clouds of cosmic dust.[6]
The cluster measures nearly 8' across, and its brightest stars are no brighter than 14th magnitude.[6]
^Ortolani, S.; Bica, E.; Barbuy, B. (1999), "Blue horizontal branch globular clusters towards the bulge: Terzan 9, NGC 6139 and NGC 6453", Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series, 138 (2): 267–273, Bibcode:1999A&AS..138..267O, doi:10.1051/aas:1999275