Location: Home
Date: 2025-09-15
Time: 10:25 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 67
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT with 2" Explore Scientific 12mm 92° FOV
Magnification: x208
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Excellent (1)
SQM: 19.51
Temperature: 16º C
Because I knew some of the Messier objects I was attempting to locate were faint, I searched for the star Mizar so as to get the FOV in focus. It was then I discovered that using this eyepiece, I could not only see Alcor and two familiar adjacent fainter stars but could also see the binary double stars of Mizar - Mizar A and Mizar B (I did not sketch them). With the scope focused, I then went on my searches.
I knew M26 was near M11 in Scutum. Looking at my S&T Star Atlas, I discovered it's 'near' δ Scutum. Slewed SSW from M11 to find this cluster.
Four stars formed a small cross, similar in shape to the Southern Cross. I couldn't discern the stars adjacent to the cross. Not many stars could be seen due to the cloudy background/nebulosity in the centre (maybe because of being in the Milky Way?) and It was difficult to make out others in the open cluster.
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Constellation: Scutum Type: Open Cluster Magnitude: 8.0 Distance: 5.0 kly Size: 14.0' |
Also viewed in this observing session:
Messier Catalogue - M076 / Little Dumbbell Nebula / NGC 650/51- September 15, 2025