U 338
17:20 to 17:52
-17° to -28°
Oph, Sgr

FEATURED OBJECTS: LDN 1762, LDN 63, LDN 1767, NGC 6342, LDN 106, LDN 62, LDN 181, LDN 59, LDN 57, LDN 95, LDN 58, NGC 6356 (Ben 93), NGC 6355, LDN 70, LDN 115, LDN 85, LDN 53, LDN 17, LDN 89, LDN 152, LDN 73, LDN 40, LDN 21, NGC 6369, LDN 182, LDN 187, LDN 172, LDN 46, ESO588-PN008, LDN 129, LDN 219, LDN 176, NGC 6401, LDN 113, LDN 234, LDN 148, LDN 145, Pal 6, LDN 210, LDN 133, LDN 238, Terzan 5, NGC 6440 (Ben 98a), NGC 6445.

LDN1762
Barnard 66
RA 17:20:06
Dec -26°52.0'
Dark nebula

This nebula forms part of the Pipe Nebula, one of the largest dark-cloud formations. It lies above the tail of Scorpius, just 2.5 degrees south of Theta Ophiuchi. To the naked eye, the Pipe appears as a 2 x 3 degree rectangle (the pipe's bowl) with a long, thin lane (the stem) extending westward for five degrees. The bowl is B78, while the stem is listed as B59, B65, B66 and B67, from west to east. Rated 6 for opacity, the Pipe is quite distinct to the eye alone on crystal-clear nights.

LDN63
Barnard 255
RA 17:20:38
Dec -23°23.0'
Dark nebula

LDN1767
Barnard 67
RA 17:21:06
Dec -26°47.9'
Dark nebula

This nebula forms part of the Pipe Nebula, one of the largest dark-cloud formations. It lies above the tail of Scorpius, just 2.5 degrees south of Theta Ophiuchi. To the naked eye, the Pipe appears as a 2 x 3 degree rectangle (the pipe's bowl) with a long, thin lane (the stem) extending westward for five degrees. The bowl is B78, while the stem is listed as B59, B65, B66 and B67, from west to east. Rated 6 for opacity, the Pipe is quite distinct to the eye alone on crystal-clear nights.

NGC 6342
ESO587-SC006, GCL-61
RA 17:21:12
Dec -19°35.0'
Globular cluster

Discovered in 1786 by William Herschel (H I-149) “cB, pS, lE, easily resolvable.”

Hartung writes that the cluster is “rather faint and irresolvable; it is fairly compressed, irregularly round, about 40” across...A field star is near S.p. A 6-inch telescope shows the object quite plainly.” The cluster measures 3' across, shines at magnitude 9.9 and has a concentration rating of 4.

Tom Lorenzin: “11M; 1' diameter; small and distant; individual stars not resolved; 15' to NNW is DBL ST ADS 10465 (1.9” separation @ PA 140; 6.3-7.4M).”

Michael Sweetman (Tucson, Arizona, USA) observing with a 6-inch refractor, writes in the The Webb Society Nebulae and Clusters Section Report No. 10, July 1992: “At x48, small and faint but noticeable and showing slight increase in brightness towards the centre. Bright star lies just outside the envelope on the N side. x204: appears circular, the envelope shows no edge and the bright core is circular in shape. No details noted.”

15.5-inch f/9 Newtonian: In a 15.5-inch telescope at 220x, the cluster is shown to lie in a busy starfield populated with small and faint stars scattered about the whole field of view. The cluster, although quite faint and small, does seem as if it is pretty much concentrated since it appears as if there is a faint outlying halo. Just south of the cluster, about a cluster diamater distant, lies a 10-11th magnitude star. The globular lies in the same two-degree field as the globulars NGC 6333 to the northwest and NGC 6356 to the north. (suburban skies) [AS]

LDN106
Barnard 67A
RA 17:22:30
Dec -21°52.8'
Dark nebula

LDN62
Barnard 68
RA 17:22:38
Dec -23°43.8'
Dark nebula

LDN181
Barnard 259
RA 17:22:55
Dec -19°12.8'
Dark nebula

LDN59
Barnard 69
RA 17:23:01
Dec -23°52.8'
Dark nebula

LDN57
Barnard 71
RA 17:23:08
Dec -23°54.8'
Dark nebula

LDN95
Barnard 262
RA 17:23:29
Dec -22°27.8'
Dark nebula

LDN58
Barnard 70
RA 17:23:31
Dec -23°57.8'
Dark nebula

NGC6356
Bennett 93
ESO588-SC001, GCL-62, H48
RA 17:23:36
Dec -17°48.8'
Globular cluster

Discovered in 1784 by William Herschel (H I-048) “B L R gbM easily resolvable.” In the Philosophical Transactions, 1814, Herschel described it as “A miniature of the 9th of Connoissance des Temps [NGC 6333] (which is itself a miniature of the 53d [NGC 5024]. I suppose if I had looked long enough, I might have perceived some of the stars which compose it.”

h: “globular, vB, R, vgvmbM, 90 arcseconds, resolved into stars barely discernble with left eye. A beautiful softly shaded object.”

Bailey, examining a Bruce plate (Harvard Annals, Vol 72, No 2), describes it as “pretty faint, globular cluster, extremely compressed, faint stars, diameter 2.5'.”

Hartung writes “This is a wellcondensed type of globular cluster, a bright luminous haze with fading edges, about 3' across with no sign of resolution; the stars must be very faint and numerous. The bright centre 1.5' across is an easy object for a 3-inch telescope.”

Bennett observed it with a 5inch short-focus refractor, including it in his list of cometary objects as number 93.

John Bortle (Webb Society Quarterly Journal, January 1976) using 10x50 binoculars, estimates the visual magnitude as 8.4.

Tom Lorenzin: “8.5M; 3.5' diameter; bright and small; individual stars not resolved at 200x.”

Steve Coe, using a 13” f/5.6, notes: “Bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, three stars resolved across a very grainy cluster at 165X.”

11x80: “This cluster is a neat little object, and needs careful attention, because while it is quite bright - I estimate it probably brighter than 9th mag - it isn’t very large in binoculars, so it looks like a slightly out of focus field star - there are a number of similar mag stars in the vicinity. It’s only when you pay attention that you notice that the star has a real nebulous envelope” (dark exurban skies). On a second occasion, I noted: “Easy as a roughly 9th magnitude star, of which there are many in the field. Stellar at a quick glance, but attention shows the distinguishing fuzzy halo. Quite a contrast to M9 nearby. (exurban skies) [AS]

15.5-inch f/9 Newtonian: A 15.5-inch reflector shows this cometary globular situated in a rich starfield sprinkled with large and small stars. The cluster is pretty bright and its stars are evenly distributed, not forming a nucleus. There does, however, appear to be a fainter outer envelope. No detail is visible across the globular's disk. A quarter of a degree south lies an 8th magnitude star. The globular appears to be a smaller version of M 9. (suburban skies) [AS]

NGC6355
ESO519-SC015, GCL-63
RA 17:23:59
Dec -26°21.0'
Globular cluster

Discovered in 1784 by William Herschel (H I-046) “pB cL R BM resolvable.”

Hartung writes: “A few very faint stars may be made out with a 12inch telescope scattered through this irregularly round haze about 1' across, and signs of resolution are also apparent with an 8-inch. A four-inch shows a faint but quite clear hazy spot with a group of scattered stars north and following.”

Tom Lorenzin: “10M; 3' diameter; bright and small; unresolved; looks extremely distant.”

The RNGC (Sulentic and Tifft 1973) notes that this is a 9.5 mag globular cluster.

Steve Coe, using a 13” f/5.6, notes: “ Pretty faint, pretty large, round, somewhat brighter in the middle, three stars resolved at 165X.”

2-inch refractor: One of my first deepsky objects; my log reads: “A 2-inch refractor shows this elusive cometary cluster in a rich starfield of faint stars. No irregular shape or definite concentration seen, it appears as an uniform glow. I found the cluster pretty elusive, but it was actually found whilst sweeping for the field. The slight movement seems to have increased its visibility. Just east of the cluster is a beautiful isoceles triangle of 10th magnitude stars, with a fainter companion turning the grouping into an irregular kite. Due north of the cluster, in the same low-power field, lies a 9th magnitude slightly red star with a companion pointing toward the globular. The cluster can be found easily by locating the bright Theta Oph, which is the first in a chain of stars leading south and slightly east towards the globular.” (suburban skies) [AS]

LDN70
The Snake
Barnard 72
RA 17:24:01
Dec -23°32.7'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) writes in his 'Notes on the Catalogue' "This is a striking object. It is a thin, curved black marking, the exact form of the letter S or the figure 5, as the imagination or point of view may dictate. The southeast branch runs east for some distance passing close south of the star CD-23°13370 (mag 9.9). Its average thickness is about 2' to 3'.

Harrington writes: "Slithering out of the northwest corner of the Pipe-nebula's bowl [Barnard 78] is Barnard 72, better known as the Snake or 'S' nebula. Its distinctive S-shaped lane, some 4' long, is about 1.5 degrees north of Theta Ophiuchi." The nebula has a 6 rating for opacity, and stands out well against the surrounding star fields. "Giant binoculars will reveal its slender form, while telescopes add an impression of depth."

Tom Lorenzin: “10' diameter; S-shape 30' in length; 1.5 degrees NNE of Theta OPH; reference BCH-II-1269.”

Steve Coe, using a 13” f/5.6, notes: “ Pretty large, pretty dark nebula. This thin dark lane was noticed at 100X, there is no star involved in the dark area. This winding thin, dark lane is called "The Snake".”

LDN115
Barnard 75
RA 17:24:59
Dec -21°52.6'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) includes a photograph of this object, captioning it with the comment: "Two of these queer markings are shown here...it [Barnard 75] is a curious, narrow, looped, black marking that covers about a degree in its peculiar windings. It occupies a considerable space and one position will not represent its place." From its northern origin, it bends to the east, passing close south of the star BD -21°4598 (mag 8.3) and then south and west to an abrupt stop. A diffuse branch springs from it and curves easterly and southwest again in a very broken manner. Close north and west of this object, just above (and involving) the star BD -21°4591 (mag 9.5) is a very dark, irregular figure, Barnard 67a.

LDN85
Barnard 74
RA 17:25:00
Dec -23°00.6'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) writes in his 'Notes on the Catalogue' that this nebula is "slightly curved, extending 5' north from the star CD-24•13325 (mag 7.1). It is sharpest on the west and south sides.

LDN53
Barnard 73/76
RA 17:25:02
Dec -24°22.6'
Dark nebula

LDN17
Barnard 260
RA 17:25:04
Dec -25°32.6'
Dark nebula

LDN89
Barnard 261
RA 17:26:00
Dec -23°00.6'
Dark nebula

LDN152
Barnard 266
RA 17:26:57
Dec -20°52.5'
Dark nebula

LDN73
Barnard 77/269
RA 17:28:03
Dec -24°02.4'
Dark nebula

LDN40
Barnard 267
RA 17:28:40
Dec -25°12.4'
Dark nebula

LDN21
Barnard 264/265
RA 17:29:05
Dec -26°02.3'
Dark nebula

NGC6369
Little Ghost Nebula
ESO520-PN003, PK002+05.01
RA 17:29:18
Dec -23°28.6'
Planetary nebula

William Herschel observed it in 1784 (H IV-011) “pB, R, pretty well defined planetary disk, 30 or 40 arcseconds diameter.”

h: “annular nebula. Exactly round, pF, 12 arcseconds diameter, well-terminated, but a very little cottony at the edge, and with a decided darkness in the middle, = star 10m at the most. Few stars in the field, a beautiful specimen of the planetary annular class of nebulae (fig 4, Plate VI).”

Houston notes that this planetary is “one of the easier kind. About 28 arcseconds across, this 10th mag object lies in a sparse field, facilitating its identification.” He recalls observing it from Mexico with 7x50's “and was surprised to find it easily. The greenish tinge characteristic of planetaries was obvious, and the seemingly starlike object looked brighter than its listed diameter, 10.

Tom Lorenzin: “13M; 30” diameter; 15M center star; faint halo doubles diameter”

NGC 6369 Donald J. Ware:”This is a moderately bright planetary nebula which is almost 1' in diameter. It appears as a grey puff of light which, with averted vision, has a darker center suggesting annularity (a ring shape). Try high powers on this object.”

Steve Coe, using a 13” f/5.6, notes: “Bright, large, little elongated 1.2 X 1 E-W. This planetary is much brighter on the north side and is annular with averted vision at 220X. It was immediately obvious at 100X and was light green at all powers. This object is located within the "Bowl" of the dark Pipe Nebula, so there are few field stars. Large scopes work well on this object. My old 18" f/6 Dobsonian at 175X will show a central dark spot and at 300X this object starts to look somewhat like the Ring Nebula. 13" Camp 613 7/10 see, 9/10 trans--100X nice planetary inside a dark nebula. 220X--pretty bright, pretty small, round, annular, north edge brighter, no star seen, light green. 330X--color much fainter.”

LDN182
Barnard 268
RA 17:31:57
Dec -20°32.1'
Dark nebula

LDN187
Barnard 270
RA 17:31:57
Dec -20°17.1'
Dark nebula

LDN172
Barnard 80
RA 17:32:58
Dec -21°02.1'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) writes in his 'Notes on the Catalogue' that this dark nebula lies close southeast of BD-21°4674 (mag 8.1). He adds that it is small and definite, 3' long and 1' wide to the southwest and northeast.

LDN46
Barnard 78
RA 17:33:04
Dec -25°42.1'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) writes that this is "perhaps one of the finest of the large dark regions [and] lies several degrees southeast of Theta Ophiuchi. It is a large, irregular, dark spot some three degrees in diameter and less definite on the eastern side. There is considerable detail in it of a more or less nebulous character. This is specially evident near the bright star CD -26°12152 (mag 6.2), which lies south of the centre. westward from this region a broken dark lane extends for about five degrees to what I have called the Sink Hole [Barnard 59], because of its peculiar form and outlines. This Sink Hole is full of rich detail. Similar structural detail shows at frequent intervals along the broken lane (which is about three-quarters of a degree wide) to its origin in the larger dark region southeast of Theta Ophiuchi.

Barnard 78 is also seen as part of the Pipe Nebula, one of the largest dark-cloud formations. It lies above the tail of Scorpius, just 2.5 degrees south of Theta Ophiuchi. To the naked eye, the Pipe appears as a 2 x 3 degree rectangle (the pipe's bowl) with a long, thin lane (the stem) extending westward for five degrees. The bowl is B78, while the stem is listed as B59, B65, B66 and B67, from west to east. Rated 6 for opacity, the Pipe is quite distinct to the eye alone on crystal-clear nights.

ESO588-PN008
PK007+07.01
RA 17:35:09
Dec -18°34.1'
Planetary nebula

LDN129
Barnard 272
RA 17:36:01
Dec -23°01.8'
Dark nebula

LDN219
Barnard 79
RA 17:37:56
Dec -19°39.7'
Dark nebula

LDN176
Barnard 274
RA 17:37:58
Dec -21°36.7'
Dark nebula

NGC6401
ESO520-SC011, GCL-73
RA 17:38:36
Dec -23°54.8'
Globular cluster

Discovered in 1784 by William Herschel (H I-044) “cB pL Has a nucleus.”

h: “pB, R, vgbM, 25 arcseconds, a star 13m involved, following the centre.” On a second occassion he called it “pB, R, vgbM, 2'; has a star 11m, rather following the middle.”

Tom Lorenzin: “11M; 1' diameter; bright and round with little brighter center; unresolved; 13M star 7” SE of core.”

Steve Coe, using a 13” f/5.6, notes: “ Pretty bright, pretty small, little brighter in the middle and very grainy at 220X. There is an 11th mag star on the east side. The cluster grows with averted vision and two stars are resolved across the face of this globular.”

LDN113
Barnard 83
RA 17:39:02
Dec -24°06.6'
Dark nebula

Barnard (Astrophysical Journal, January 1919) writes in his 'Notes on the Catalogue' that this dark nebula has "narrow extensions to the south. Several small stars in it...Irregular; diam. 7'."

LDN234
Barnard 83A
RA 17:40:20
Dec -19°31.5'
Dark nebula

LDN148
Barnard 277
RA 17:40:30
Dec -23°01.5'
Dark nebula

LDN145
Barnard 279
RA 17:43:02
Dec -23°31.3'
Dark nebula

Pal 6
ESO520-SC021, GCL-75, C1740-262
RA 17:43:42
Dec -26°13.4'
Globular cluster

See Abell G O "Globular Clusters and Planetary Nebulae discovered on the National Geographic Society - Palomar Observatory Sky Survey" (1955) PASP Vol 67 No 397 p258. In this article, the diameter is listed as 1.8', the brightest stars are of 20th magnitude and the concentration rating is 11. A remark reads: "Highly obscured."

LDN210
Barnard 280
RA 17:44:58
Dec -21°01.2'
Dark nebula

LDN133
Barnard 281
RA 17:45:03
Dec -24°11.2'
Dark nebula

LDN238
Barnard 84
RA 17:46:27
Dec -20°11.1'
Dark nebula

Terzan5
C1745-247, GCL-76.1
RA 17:47:49
Dec -24°46.3'
Globular cluster

NGC6440
Bennett 98a
ESO589-SC008, GCL-77
RA 17:48:53
Dec -20°21.6'
Globular cluster

Discovered in 1786 by William Herschel (H I-150) “cB, R, vgmbM, about 1.5' diameter.”

Tom Lorenzin: “10M; 1' diameter; bright, small and round with little center brightness; unresolved;”

Donald J. Ware:”This is a small, highly concentrated globular cluster with an almost stellar core. I was not able to resolve it in my telescope, but it makes a fine low power eyepiece pair with the next object.”

Steve Coe, observing with a 13” f/5.6, notes: “Pretty bright, pretty small, compressed and much brighter in the middle at 135X. Raising the power to 220X brings out ragged edges with 10 stars resolved.”

The RNGC (Sulentic and Tifft 1973) notes that this is a 12.0 mag globular cluster.

12-inch Meade, 40mm eyepiece, 53’ fov: “Very very small, roundish and faint globular cluster, gradually brighter towards the middle. Fringy-like with no structure in very hazy and nebulous surroundings.” [MS]

NGC6445
Little Gem
ESO589-PN009, PK008+03.01
RA 17:49:14
Dec -19°47.2'
Planetary nebula

Discovered in 1786 by William Herschel (H II-586) “pB, S, iF.”

Tom Lorenzin: “11.8M (listed as 13M in BCH and others; looks much brighter!) 35” diameter; soft, round blob; N-filter and >200x show oval ring with bright knot in NW sector; 13M star 40” to NW”

Donald J. Ware:”This planetary nebula is rather large, about 50" in diameter. It is grey, and averted vision hints at a darker region near its center, implying annularity. There is a field star very close to, but not imbedded in the northwest side of the nebula.”

Steve Coe, observing with a 13” f/5.6, notes: “Pretty bright, large and has a elongated box shape at 200X. The outer rim of this planetary is brighter than the center. A white and blue double star is nearby. It shows a small dark lane at high power and is definately not a 13th mag object as listed, I estimate 12.”

12-inch Meade, 40mm eyepiece, 53’ fov: “This planetary nebula had an elongated shape; no sharp edges and shows an open area towards the middle. Fairly bright with an uneven disk and a greyish colour.” [MS]