4 replies to this topic

[Jeff Morgan]

Before monsoon season started I came across a rather interesting cluster in my AP Star12 (120 mm refractor). The immediate impression I had was a Lunar Lander. The official designation is (NGC 6281). It is easily found three degrees due east of Mu Scorpii.

Judging from the Uranometria Deep Sky Guide, this would not be a remarkable cluster - Not many stars, not much concentration. However, good detachment and irregular shape combined with two nearby star chains give it the appearance of a lunar lander. The cluster itself is diamond shaped with somewhat brighter edges running SE-NW and NE-SW, the remaining fainter cluster members fill out the rest of the diamond. Two star chains (unrelated?) run off to the south, giving the illusion of legs.

I'm not sure if the appearance would hold in larger or smaller apertures, but if you are in southern Scorpius it's definitely worth a look.

[Jon Isaacs]

Jeff:

I am not mistaken, I often enjoy NGC6281. After spending some time with NGC 6231, I will climb the ladder of Scorpio. NG6281 is about half way between the pair of Mu Scorpii and the Bug Nebula and makes a nice stopping place...

5 or 6 degrees to the west and a bit south of Mu Scorpii is C75, NGC 6124, a nice rich cluster...

Lots of neat stuff...

Jon

[JakeSaloranta]

My notes say "The Teepee Cluster" (or Tipi). I've found this cluster to be a good one as well.

/Jake

[Jeff Morgan]

Jeff:

I am not mistaken, I often enjoy NGC6281. After spending some time with NGC 6231, I will climb the ladder of Scorpio. NG6281 is about half way between the pair of Mu Scorpii and the Bug Nebula and makes a nice stopping place...

5 or 6 degrees to the west and a bit south of Mu Scorpii is C75, NGC 6124, a nice rich cluster...

Lots of neat stuff...

Jon

Absolutely! NGC 6231 is one of my favorites. Unfortunately I have a time management problem, spending so much time on the low rungs of the Scorpius ladder I never get to the Bug before it's diving to the horizon.

[Matt2003]

The Bug is one DSO I'm aiming for!
As for this OC, I may have seen it, I'm not sure, but I've been around NGC 6231 quite a bit lately.
Scorpius presents a GREAT problem: Too many targets! Not many constellations can say that (Virgo, Sagitarius, Coma Ber., Orion, Puppis, Cygnus being the main ones. (yes, I forgot 2 0r 3 others)). So many objects and only so much time. LOL

Clear Skies, dark skies!
Matt