images

Open clusters M6 and M7 in Scorpius

by

J.Lodriguss/Novapix

Reference

a-aou64-05002

Date

2007-01-07

M6, the Butterfly Cluster, at upper right, is a wonderful open cluster, it can be seen about 4 degrees northwest of M7, with both clusters being located in Scorpius. M7, at bottom, consists of 80 stars brighter than magnitude 10 in a field of about 1.3 degrees apparent diameter. It was known to Ptolemy who mentioned it in 130 AD. Both clusters are visible with the unaided eye in a rich area of Milky Way located between Sagittarius and Scorpius.