2011-02-26

M 26


Photo by Pittendreigh

HOW TO FIND IT:

These two open clusters are in the constellation Scutum, which is has no distinctive pattern of stars. Just above the teapot in Sagittarius is Mu Sagittarii. Mu and Lamda Sagittarii, together with Alpha and Beta in Scutum, form a somewhat regularly spaced line of four stars.

Next, notice the triangle of stars formed by Alpha, Beta and Delta Scuti.

M11 is near Beta, at the apex of the triangle. M26 is near Delta.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Both clusters are rather condensed. At very low power, such as binoculars, M11 will look like a globular cluster. A small telescope will reveal it to be an open cluster.



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