Messier Objects

M6: Open Star Cluster (Scorpius) RA: 17h 40.4m / DEC: -32° 13'.8
Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder

M6 is an impressive open star cluster in eastern Scorpius. More than 100 stars are visible in a 1 degree field at 63X in the 10-inch Starfinder. My drawing records 82 stars including about 50 within the cluster. M6 is located about 5 degrees north-northeast of the stinger in the tail of the scorpion. The cluster's visual magnitude, 4.2, would normally make this an easy naked eye object. However, the region is so rich with star clusters and nebulae, pulling M6 out of this sea of stars is a challenge in itself. The most interesting feature of M6 for me is two rows of 10th magnitude stars fanning out between a pair of 8th magnitude stars. These are visible just west of center in my sketch.


M5 M7

line

Navigation Image, see text links below Web Links Glossary Sketching Astrophotography Planetary Observing Deep-sky Observing Getting Started About Cosmic Voyage Home

Home | About Cosmic Voyage | Getting Started | Deep-sky Observing | Planetary Observing | Astrophotography | Sketching | Glossary | Web Links

line

URL: http://www.cosmicvoyage.net
Layout, design & revisions © W. D. Ferris
Comments and Suggestions: wdferris1@gmail.com

Revised: February 14, 2002 [WDF]