When to photograph NGC 6397
NGC 6397 is a globular cluster in Ara, 15′ across at magnitude 5.2. Also listed as C 86.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are June and July, with up to 11.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in June. It reaches 71° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 15′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1230 to 2800 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1890 to 4310 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 NGC 6397's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 6352 5.8° away
- NGC 6193 10.5° away
- NGC 6188 Fighting Dragons of Ara 10.7° away
- NGC 6541 10.9° away
- NGC 6087 S Nor Cluster 12.2° away
- NGC 6752 13.8° away
Gear that suits NGC 6397
NGC 6397 is 15′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 58% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 58% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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