C107
Globular Cluster in Apus
About
NGC 6101 is a faint globular cluster in Apus, around 47,600 light-years distant and far out from the galactic centre. James Dunlop discovered it. Research has found that it holds an unusually high number of black holes.
Imaging tips
- Only about 10.7′ across: 2,270–3,780 mm on APS-C (3,470–5,780 mm full frame) fills a third to half of the frame, and a fine pixel scale helps.
- Faint at magnitude 9.2 and 23.0 mag/arcsec². Visual observers need at least a 20 cm aperture to resolve its stars, so expect to need long integration.
- Dunlop, who found it in 1826, described it as a rather faint round nebula, brighter toward the middle.
- Best in May and June, but it never rises from 35°N or 50°N: a southern-hemisphere target.
Facts
- Size
- 10.7′
- Magnitude
- 9.2
- Coordinates
- RA 16h 25.8m, Dec −72° 12′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2270–3780 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3470–5780 mm
- Best months
- May, Jun
- Peak altitude
- never rises from 50°N, never rises from 35°N