M 26 (OC)
Open Cluster in Scutum
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18h 45m 18.6s | -09° 23′ 02.5″ | 10.0′ | 8.0 | 12.7 | I1m | OC | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
M26 is a small, modestly populated open cluster 5,000 light-years away in Scutum. Around 90 million years old with 30 confirmed members. Often overlooked in favour of the nearby spectacular M11.
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Meade 10-inch LX200, The Coffee Grinder): Bright but much smaller and sparser than its showier neighbour M11. A loose grouping of 15–30 stars at this aperture.(Saturday, June 2025)
References
Charts
Ultra-wide view (~25° field)
Wide-field view with Telrad rings (4°, 2°, 0.5°)
Finderscope view (9×50 RACI, ~4.4° TFOV)
Eyepiece view — 35 mm Panoptic on 12-inch f/5 (1.6° TFOV)