Howard B
July 30th, 2018, 02:25 AM
Galaxy pair with nearby double star and faint background galaxy
Hercules
RA 17 56 00
DEC +18 20 20 (coordinates for NGC 6500)
Magnitude 13.0, 13.1, 16.0, 7.43
Size: 2.2 x 1.6, 1.9 x 1.7, 0.6 x 0.5
Sometimes a view is so pretty that it has to be shared, and that’s exactly the case here. There’s no exotic astrophysics or record setting red shift to talk about here, only a beautiful field of view.
NGC 6500 and NGC 6501 (right to left in my sketch) are a physically associated galaxy pair that make an equilateral triangle with the colorful double star Struve 2245. Neither galaxy is much more than a slightly oval 13th magnitude fuzz ball, but together they make a striking pair nonetheless.
3141
But it’s the proximity of the yellow-gold and turquoise double star that makes the group really pop - I certainly stayed glued to the eyepiece longer than I would have otherwise during my latest look a couple weeks ago during the Golden State Star Party.
The brightness of the two stars and beautifully complimentary colors give a sparkle and vibrance to contrast with the relatively dim and distant (145 million light years) glow of the two NGC galaxies. Take your time and enjoy.
The subtle part of this view is the 16th magnitude galaxy MAC 1756+1820 that’s hanging out right on the edge of the radiance glow of the double star. You’ll need to know exactly where to look to have a chance for this one, and if the sky isn’t clear and dark enough you may not be able to see it anyway, so this is as much a test of the sky as of your scope and observing skill.
But then this is a field of view that’s worth coming back to many times, and at the very least you’ll always be rewarded with a lovely double star.
"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"
Hercules
RA 17 56 00
DEC +18 20 20 (coordinates for NGC 6500)
Magnitude 13.0, 13.1, 16.0, 7.43
Size: 2.2 x 1.6, 1.9 x 1.7, 0.6 x 0.5
Sometimes a view is so pretty that it has to be shared, and that’s exactly the case here. There’s no exotic astrophysics or record setting red shift to talk about here, only a beautiful field of view.
NGC 6500 and NGC 6501 (right to left in my sketch) are a physically associated galaxy pair that make an equilateral triangle with the colorful double star Struve 2245. Neither galaxy is much more than a slightly oval 13th magnitude fuzz ball, but together they make a striking pair nonetheless.
3141
But it’s the proximity of the yellow-gold and turquoise double star that makes the group really pop - I certainly stayed glued to the eyepiece longer than I would have otherwise during my latest look a couple weeks ago during the Golden State Star Party.
The brightness of the two stars and beautifully complimentary colors give a sparkle and vibrance to contrast with the relatively dim and distant (145 million light years) glow of the two NGC galaxies. Take your time and enjoy.
The subtle part of this view is the 16th magnitude galaxy MAC 1756+1820 that’s hanging out right on the edge of the radiance glow of the double star. You’ll need to know exactly where to look to have a chance for this one, and if the sky isn’t clear and dark enough you may not be able to see it anyway, so this is as much a test of the sky as of your scope and observing skill.
But then this is a field of view that’s worth coming back to many times, and at the very least you’ll always be rewarded with a lovely double star.
"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"