NGC 6229

Observation Notes:

I could not resolve stars or even a vague sense of graininess in this globular. It did have a lumpy, mottled appearance. Averted vision showed an extended halo about 2 arc minutes in diameter. The brighter core region was somewhat rectangular with extensions running toward the northwest. A dull orange star marked the southwest side of the view.

Object Information:

NGC 6207 was discovered by Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel in 1787. Based on his visual impression, he described it as a planetary nebula. It wasn’t until the middle of the next century that d’Arrest revealed it to be a “very crowded cluster”. Difficulty in resolving it can be attributed to its large distance from Earth of nearly 100,000 light years. It is also cataloged as: H IV-50, GC 4244, GCL 47

Subject NGC 6229
Classification* Globular Cluster (4)
Position* Hercules [RA: 16:46:58.8 / Dec: +47:31:40]
Size* 4.5′
Brightness* 9.4 vMag
Date/Time July 30, 2008 – 10:45 PM MST (July 31, 2008 – 5:45 UT)
Observing Loc. Flagstaff, Arizona, USA – Home
Instrument Orion SkyQuest XT8 (203 mm dia./1200 mm F/L)
Eyepieces/Mag. 10 mm Sirius Plössl (120X) also with 2X Barlow (240X)
Conditions Clear, calm
Seeing 6/10 Pickering
Transparency ~ Mag 6.0 NELM
*References NGCIC.org; SEDS

3 Replies to “NGC 6229”

  1. I also observed this cluster through my 8″ reflector to test my scope’s visual limit from my city. I saw a fuzzy spot forming triangle with two stars. This is an easy globular.

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