NGC 6221 (AGN)
Galaxy in Ara
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16h 52m 48.4s | -59° 12′ 54.6″ | 4.1′ | 13.4 | 13.2 | SB(s)c | AGN | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
NGC 6221 is a barred spiral galaxy (SB(s)bc) 70 million light-years away in Ara, interacting with the smaller NGC 6215 via an HI bridge. A long sweeping spiral arm arcs around its core in deep images.
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Meade 10-inch LX200, The Coffee Grinder): Larger and rounder than its companion NGC 6215, with a slightly brighter core. Squeezed in the same field of view via the orange star η Ara.(Friday, 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)