Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M80 (NGC 6093) Globular Cluster 16h 17m 02s -22° 58′ 34″ Scorpius +7.3 10.0 arcmin Overview This bright, big, dense cluster was discovered by Charles Messier in January 1781. As with so many of his cluster discoveries, Messier believed that M80 was a ‘nebula without a star’ …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M6 (NGC 6405) Open Cluster 17h 40m 20s -32° 15′ 00″ Scorpius 4.2 20.0 arcmins Overview This cluster gets its name from the fact that its bright stars look like a butterfly. It was first recorded in 1654 by the astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna, but it may …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M4 (NGC 6121) Globular Cluster 16h 23m 35s -26° 31′ 33″ Scorpius 5.6 36.0 arcmins Overview Located relatively close to the center of the Milky Way, M4 is currently believed to be the third closest globular cluster to our solar system, being only 7,200 light-years away from …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M7 (NGC 6475), Ptolemy’s Cluster Open Cluster 17h 53m 51s -34° 47′ 00″ Scorpius +3.29 80 arcmins Overview This is a large cluster that is low on the horizon at its peak in a summer’s evening. Officially part of Scorpius, it’s easier to think of it near …
