|
NGC 6603, a faint open cluster buried in the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud. POSS/DSS photo. |
One of the visual treats of the summer Milky Way, the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud is spectacular in any telescope or binoculars. As you sweep the star cloud, you may happen across the little open cluster NGC 6603, tucked away in the northeast end of the cloud.
While the cluster is not bright compared to some of its neighbors, it bears some resemblance to M11 to the north. With an eight-inch telescope, you can expect decent resolution of the cluster. The string of stars visible in the POSS photo above is fairly prominent. Don't be afraid to crank up the magnification if the seeing allows to get more resolution. When you're done observing NGC 6603, don't forget to put in a low power eyepiece and spend a few minutes scanning the star cloud...
How to get there:
NGC 6603 lies three degrees north of Mu Sagittarii.
| Name | AKA | RA | Dec | Type | Mag | Size |
| NGC 6603 | Cr 374 | 18h 18.5m | -18° 24' | Open Cluster | 11.1 | 5' |
Finder chart for NGC 6603
