NGC 6752, Globular Cluster in Pavo

When the light pollution takes over the stars in the sky, the only visible targets are the moon or the planets, so it is time to get those binoculars to work and look for the brightest DSO in the sky. The wide field of view in most binoculars allows one to star-hop in no time and while searching for objects, they appear to stand out from the background.

Fighting the orange-bluish sky and the thick layer of atmosphere due to the low altitude of the object in the sky, this globular cluster appeared in the binoculars as a puffy almost stellar spot surrounded by some sort of nebular glow.

In my observation notes, I described the brightness of the core to appear as ¾ the brightness of the 7^th magnitude double star HIP 94198 right below the cluster in the sketch.

It appeared very dim in my observation, but make no mistake, Starfish globular cluster is the third brightest globular cluster in the sky after Omega Centaury and 47 Tucanae. Perhaps you will need a telescope, a dark sky and a location near or below the equator to resolve the vastness of stars in it.

Here is a link I found where you can see a well performed sketch made under Australian skies with a 17.5” "beastie" telescope: www.asod.info

Enjoy the view and good luck on hunting it.

LG

Edited by Jennifer Steinberg (editor in chief)