Deep space
Messier 26
Open cluster · M26 · NGC 6694
Open cluster in Scutum
Photo: Hillary Mathis, Vanessa Harvey, REU program/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 26, also known as NGC 6694, is an open cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Scutum. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. This 8th magnitude cluster is a challenge to find in ideal skies with typical binoculars, where it can be, with any modern minimum 3-inch (76 mm) aperture device. It is south-southwest of the open cluster Messier 11 and is 14′ across. About 25 stars are visible in a telescope with a 150–200 mm (6–8 in) aperture.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~5,000 light-years
Apparent mag.
+8
Apparent size
14′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M26 · NGC 6694
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 26 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 6694.
- Found in the constellation Scutum.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
