C81
Globular Cluster in Ara
About
NGC 6352, a loose and relatively metal-rich globular cluster in Ara, about 18,000 light-years away. It has two stellar generations that formed only about 10 million years apart.
Imaging tips
- Too small to frame at ordinary lengths: 3370–5610 mm on APS-C puts the 7.2′ cluster across the sensor, so use a long focal length.
- Magnitude 8 and loose, so it is dim; a 6-inch f/4.5 telescope with LRGB filters has recorded it from a Bortle 8 city.
- One amateur page lists it as an open cluster, but Wikipedia and the catalogues class it as globular.
- Never rises above the horizon from 50°N (peaks about 8° below it) and reaches only about 7° from 35°N. Best in May and June.
Facts
- Size
- 7.2′
- Magnitude
- 8.0
- Coordinates
- RA 17h 25.5m, Dec −48° 25′
- Framing, APS-C
- 3370–5610 mm
- Framing, full frame
- longer than 4000 mm
- Best months
- May, Jun
- Peak altitude
- never rises from 50°N, 7° from 35°N