Messier 26 (M 26)

Introduction | Map | Find/Identify | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster M 26 (NGC 6694) in the constellation Scutum/Shield.

Introduction

The open star cluster M 26 is located in the constellation Scutum/Shield and is, according to Stoyan, of the more inconspicuous star clusters, which I agree with.

M 26 (NGC 6694)
Size: 8' (Stoyan)
Distance: 5,000 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: * (Stoyan)

Map

M 26 belongs, like M 11, to the constellation Scutum/Shield. All other objects belong to the Sagittarius constellation (M 8, M 16, M 17, M 20, M 21, M 23, M 24). (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Find/Identify

Find: The small constellation Scutum/Shield lies below the constellation Aquila/Eagle and looks like a small diamond, which stands on the tip. The open star cluster M 26 is located next to the two middle stars and to the left of the left star, that is, outside the diamond.

The open star cluster M 11 (Wild Duck Cluster) can also be used as a search aid: M 26 lies below the Wild Duck Cluster.

Identify: Once you found M 26 in the ways as described above, it is also identified. (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Best Own Photos

M 26 - May 29, 2020		M 26 - May 29, 2020, photo left processed
M 26 - Jun 11, 2020		M 26 - Jun 11, 2020, photo left processed		M 26 - Jun 11, 2020, photo left processed and sharpened
M 26 - Aug 23, 2020		M 26 - Aug 23, 2020, photo left processed
M 26 - Jul 18, 2021		M 26 - Jul 18, 2021, photo left processed

Vespera

M 26, Oct 5, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290 seconds)

My Own Observations

Observations September/October 2019 (France)

• September 30, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 26 (24, 10, 7, 4 mm) forms an obtuse triangle with two other stars, saw only few stars, but there should be 30 or more...

Observations May to August 2020

• May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 26 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• May 31, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• June 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 9, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 22, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.), fuzzy (not shown)
• August 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.)

Observations July 2021

• July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 26 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation despite new collimation

Observations October 2022

• October 5, 2022 (Erkerode: Vespera): M 26 photographed

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 26: messier.seds.org/m/m026.html
• Messier 26 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_26

On this Site

• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope

M 26 - May 29, 2020		M 26 - May 29, 2020, photo left processed
M 26 - May 31, 2020		M 26 - May 31, 2020, photo left processed
M 26 - Jun 11, 2020		M 26 - Jun 11, 2020, photo left processed		M 26 - Jun 11, 2020, photo left processed and sharpened
M 26 - Aug 9, 2020		M 26 - Aug 9, 2020, photo left processed		M 26 - Aug 9, 2020, photo left processed and sharpened
M 26 - Aug 23, 2020		M 26 - Aug 23, 2020, photo left processed
M 26 - Jul 18, 2021		M 26 - Jul 18, 2021, photo left processed

Vespera

M 26, Oct 5, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290 seconds)