NGC 6642
Globular Cluster
aka
RA: 18h31m52.5s Dec: -23°28'30" (Sagittarius)
Integrated Visual Magnitude: 8.9
Angular Diameter: 5.8'

Minimum requirements to detect: 12-inch or larger scope under dark skies


NGC 6642 is a tiny globular star cluster that lies within one degree of the always stunning M 22.  This diminutive globular lies at a distance of 25,000 light years, 2.5 times farther than M 22.  Yet, M 22 appears 21 times larger!  Therefore, our little globular cluster isn't just farther away, it really is smaller and fainter.

At low power this cluster may appear starlike. For best results use high magnification on a night with steady seeing.


The view in a 6" at 50x. North is down, East is to the right.


This image from the Digital Sky Survey shows a 12' x 12' region about the cluster.


 
Millennium Star Atlas Vol III Chart 1391
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 22
Uranometria 2000 Vol II Chart 340
Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas B-06 C-57

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