NGC 6288 is a globular cluster located in the constellation Scorpius. It is approximately 19,000 light-years away from Earth and is estimated to be around 12 billion years old. This cluster contains hundreds of thousands of stars, tightly packed together due to their mutual gravitational attraction. Discovered by James Dunlop in 1826, NGC 6288 is notable for its bright core and rich population of red giant stars. It is also classified as a metal-rich globular cluster, which means it has a higher concentration of heavier elements compared to other clusters, providing insights into the early universe's star formation.