When to photograph M 26
M 26 is an open cluster in Scutum, 6′ across at magnitude 8.9. Also listed as NGC 6694.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are July, with up to 3.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in July. It reaches 36° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are June and July, with up to 8.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in June. It reaches 64° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 6′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 3130 to 7150 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 4810 to 11000 mm.
Filters and the moon
Clusters are broadband targets, but bright ones tolerate some moonlight and light pollution. Short subs keep the brightest stars from clipping. The dark sky calendar shows which nights this month are moon-free where you are.
Plan it for tonight
Dates and times depend on your exact location. The imaging planner shows M 26's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 11 Wild Duck Cluster 3.4° away
- M 16 Eagle Nebula 7.9° away
- M 17 Omega Nebula 9.0° away
- M 18 9.9° away
- M 25 10.3° away
- M 24 Sagittarius Star Cloud 11.4° away
Gear that suits M 26
M 26 is only 6.0′ across, so it stays small in any amateur telescope. The longest focal length gives it the most pixels.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 23% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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