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(IAAC) Obj: M12 - Inst: 20" F4.4 dob



Observer: Nick Martin
Your skills: Intermediate
Date/time of observation: 02/2001 01:30 UT
Location of site: Bonnyton house drive, Ayrshire, Scotland
Site classification: rural
Sky darkness: not determined
Seeing: III <I-V Seeing Scale (I best)>
Moon presence: Moon setting
Instrument: 20" F4.4 Newton on Dobsonian mount
Magnification: X360
Filter(s): None.
Object: M12 (NGC 2618)
Object type: Globular Cluster
Class: 
Position:16 47.2   -01 57 
Constellation: Ophiucus 
Data: Mag :  6.8  ;  Size 15'
Object Rating: A+
Description:- This is a large - at X360 it fills the entire eyepiece field -
and highly resolved globular cluster. The cluster is resolved right to the
centre and bears higher magnification well. There are many brighter cluster
members seen against a background of fainter stars and many brighter
outliers. The centre of the cluster is a faint haze with many stars
superimposed on it.
The cluster has a strongly granular appearance right to the centre. There
are curious lines of stars, which give it an appearance like a four legged
insect with appendages on the legs. A haze of stars extends southward from
the top of the cluster with the stars assembled into streaks. Further
observation suggests an appearance like a crab with the front of the
carapace made up from a line of brighter stars near the centre of the
cluster. There is a darker patch on the back of the carapace then brighter
stars beyond that.
The distribution of light in the central body of the cluster gives it a
distinctly three dimensional globular appearance.

Nick Martin, Bonnyton House, By Ayr, Ayrshire KA6 7EW ,Scotland, UK.
 Latitude 55 24'56" Longitude 4 26' 00".


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