You'll find NGC 6342 about 1.2 degrees south-southeast of another bright globular cluster, M9. 4.4 magnitude Xi (40) Ophiuchi, 1.5 degrees due south, provides a useful landmark in your search for NGC 6342. The sketch at left presents a 129X view in my 10-inch Starfinder Newtonian. NGC 6342 is stationed in the southwest corner. The 9.5 magnitude globular cluster covers a 3' diameter area with a 10th magnitude GSC star marking the southern edge. The 6.5 magnitude star just inside the northwest field boundary is HD 156846. Another 14 field stars complete the view.