C89
Open Cluster in Norma
About
NGC 6087, the S Normae Cluster, in Norma about 3,500 light-years away. It is built around S Normae, a Cepheid star that belongs to it and whose pulsation lets astronomers check the cluster's distance. Its stars are mostly hot and blue-white, with some yellow and orange giants.
Imaging tips
- At 1,730–2,890 mm on APS-C the cluster fills a third to half of the frame.
- The colour contrast between the blue-white stars and the yellow and orange giants is the attraction, so protect star colour in processing.
- A broadband target: a cluster needs no narrowband filter.
- Best in May and June, but it never rises from 50°N and peaks near −3° from 35°N, so it never rises there either.
Facts
- Size
- 14′
- Magnitude
- 6.0
- Coordinates
- RA 16h 18.9m, Dec −57° 55′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1730–2890 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2650–4420 mm
- Best months
- May, Jun
- Peak altitude
- never rises from 50°N, never rises from 35°N