M6

  
 
 
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  • RA: 17:40.1
  • Dec:  -32:13
  • Magnitude: 4.2
  • Size: 25.0 arc min
  • Distance: 1,600 ly
  • Constellation:  Scorpius
  • Scope: 8" SCT at f/10
  • Autoguider: ST-4 faint mode
  • Sky conditions: good seeing and transparency.
  • Film: Kodak Supra 400
  • Exposure: 25 minutes
  • Date:  August 14, 2004
Comments:   The night was quite cold (low in the mid to low 40s) but luckily with very calm winds.  M6 is an open cluster whose arrangement suggests the outline of a butterfly with open wings.  There are about 80 stars identified as being part of the cluster covering a linear extension of about 12 light years.  The brightest star in the cluster is the variable star BM Scorpii, a yellow or orange supergiant.