NGC 6204 (OC)
Open Cluster in Ara
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16h 46m 10.0s | -47° 01′ 08.6″ | 5.0′ | 8.2 | 11.4 | I2p | OC | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
NGC 6204 is a small, dense open cluster in Ara. 6,500 light-years away. About a dozen brighter stars in a tight grouping with a triplet of bright stars hanging off one edge.
My Observing Notes
44-cm (Club 17.5-inch f/5): Sits on the left of a striking contrasting pair with NGC 6200 in the 31 mm Nagler. NGC 6204 is small ( 5') and dense — a dozen brighter stars with a triplet of bright stars hanging off the bottom edge. Lovely combined field.(Saturday, September 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)