Now that the end of summer is near, you still have time to spend a warm summer's night viewing some of the oldest objects in the universe -- Globular Clusters. The size, brightness and overall density of stars make them ideal objects to study while employing a wide range of magnification. As a suggestion try using a 2x barlow to increase your scope's focal length and keep your magnification between 15 to 20X per inch of aperture. You will enjoy the view!  To finish off your viewing session (especially if you have a 10 inch F5 newt.) try using your 32mm Erfle eyepiece on the Double Cluster in Perseus. This combination will give you a view to remember.

Of the dozens of globs that can be viewed during this time of the year, below you will find a list of some of my favorites. Clear skies and pleasant viewing!

 

         ID                       RA                                 DEC                         MAG

 

 

NGC 6205            16 41 41.5                     +36 27 37                     5.78

 

NGC 6218            16 47 14.5                      -01 56 52                     6.70

 

NGC 6254            16 57 08.9                      -04 05 58                     6.60

 

NGC 6273            17 02 37.8                      -26 16 05                     6.77

 

NGC 6402            17 37 36.1                      -03 14 45                     7.59

 

NGC 6626            18 24 32.9                      -24 52 12                     6.79

 

NGC 6656            18 36 24.2                      -23 54 12                     5.10

 

NGC 7078            21 29 58.3                      +12 10 01                    6.20

 

NGC 7089            21 33 29.3                       -00 49 23                    6.47

 

NGC 7099            21 40 22.0                       -23 10 45                    7.19

 

 

Double Cluster     

 

NGC 869/884       02 19.0,  02 22.5           +57 08, +57 07            3.5, 3.6