M26 (NGC 6694)
Also known as M26 · M 26 · NGC 6694
M26 (NGC 6694) is an open star cluster in the constellation Scutum, about 5,410 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Open star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Scutum |
| Position (J2000) | 18h 45m 18s, −9° 23′ |
| Distance | 5,410 light-years (its light set off about 5,410 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 8.87 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 7.1′ × 7.1′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 113 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M26 (NGC 6694) is highest in the sky at midnight in July. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 61° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 31°. To see it you need binoculars.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Scutum
Everything in Scutum · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits