M26

From South Dublin Astronomical Society

M26
Type	Open Cluster
NGC	NGC 6694
Constellation	Scutum
Right Ascension	18h 45.2m
Declination	-9° 24’
Magnitude	8.0
Size	15 arc min.
Image:M26 messier image.jpg

If you place the Wild Duck cluster at the top of your low power binocular field then you should be able to pick up the more diminutive M26 as a small condensed patch of light ¾° southeast of Delta Scuti. A little time is needed to tease out the muted glow of this compact group. It’s worth drawing attention to a very pretty “fishhook” or “J”-shaped asterism that lies close to the two Messier clusters of Scutum. Place M11 at the top left of your binocular field and you should notice, towards the right, a ribbon of stars ending in a line of fainter suns that curl eastward. M26 shines with the light of a magnitude 8 star and was discovered in June 1764 by Charles Messier who commented that it was “not distinguished in a 3½ foot (focal length) telescope and needed a better instrument.” The cluster lies 5,000 light years distant as against 6,000 light years for M11.