M6 and M7

Scorpius - Open Clusters - Magnitudes 4.2 and 3.3

M6 and M7 Open Clusters in Scorpius

These two objects look great together and can be found just off the scorpion's tail. Separated by about 4 degrees they are amazing when viewed together in binoculars. They also are quite noticible to the naked eye under dark skies. M6, also known as the Butterfly Cluster, is at top in this shot and M7 is at bottom. A few other objects appear here as well. Dark nebulae, Barnard 287, is just below M7 and the crescent shaped Barnard 283 lies half way between M6 and M7. Two less distinct open clusters, NGC 6416 and NGC 6425, appear just to the left of M6.

Location: Texas Star Party 2003 near Fort Davis, Texas
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 9/10
Date and Time: May 1, 2003 @ 4:45 AM CST
Equipment: 300mm Nikkor ED lens @ f2.8 guided with Meade 208xt
Length: 10 minutes
Film: Kodak Royal Gold 400
Processing Information: Levels adjustment and contrast increase.

Exposure Notes: This is easy to frame and shoot. Must take this shot at the meridian to avoid atmospheric disturbance because it's pretty far south.