MESSIER 6 - OPEN CLUSTER

Scorpius

(ra: 17,40.1 / dec -32º:13')

Picture of the Set up here

DATA

TYPE: Open Cluster

APPARENT MAGNITUDE: 4.2

SIZE (apparent): 15 arcs minutes

DISTANCE: 2.000 light years

DATE: August 17th 2008

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

M6 is known as the Butterfly Cluster because the star lay out suggest a butterfly with open wings. An excellent object for medium focal length telescopes. 80 star members were identified. The main portion of the cluster covers a distance of 12 light years. M6 is composed predominantly of young blue stars, although the brightest star is nearly orange. It is called BM scorpii with an apparent magnitude varying from 5.5 to 7. From all Messier Objects M6 is the closest to the galactic centre. The cluster is estimated to have 100 years old.

IMAGE INFORMATION

SCOPE: 6 " Newtonian @ f5 (Synta) riding in a VIXEN GPDX SSK2 guided by SX Guide Head Camera and a Synta 70/400 refractor

SKY CONDITIONS: Full Moon

CAMERA: Starlight Xpress SXVF H9

FILTERS: Astronomik Type 2, IDAS LPS for Luminance

EXPOSURES: LRGB (15,15,15,15)  180 seconds subs

IMAGE ACQUISITION: Astro Art and CCD Control Interface 3.72

CALIBRATED: Images Plus. Photoshop CS

6 " NEWTONIAN - VIXEN GPDX

SXVF H9

MARTINEZ - BUENOS AIRES SUBURBS