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(IAAC) Obj: M11 (Wild Duck Cluster) - Inst: 7x50 binos
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Observer: Lew Gramer
Your skills: Intermediate
Date and UT of Observation: 1997-04-16, 08:30 UT
Location: Medford, MA, USA (42N)
Site classification: urban
Limiting magnitude: 3.5 (light dome of Boston)
Seeing: 1 - excellent
Moon up: no
Instrument: 50mm binos
Magnification: 7x
Filters used: None
Object: M11 (Wild Duck Cluster)
Category: Open cluster
Constellation: Sct
Data: mag 5.8 size 14'
RA/DE: 18h51m -06o16m
Description:
Although the view of this magnificent object was fairly awash in the
light-dome from my nearby metropolis, 7x50s still gave the intriguing
impression of a complex and irregular little fuzzball. M11 is easily
located in the same binocular field SW of the fine pair of stars which
form the "tail feathers" of Aquila the Eagle. The cluster is found as
a brightish smudge about 1/4 of a field of view (1o) WSW of a pretty
isoceles triangle of stars mags 5, 6, and 7. A steady hand in these
conditions even shows the irregular shape of the cluster, with "legs"
of unresolved stars protruding to the W and NE of the center of the
hazy patch. The famous, bright central star of the cluster (about mag
8), was seen intermittently with both averted and direct vision, in
the near-West of center. A pretty little gem even in nasty conditions!