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NGC 6541

Globular Cluster Showpiece (78/100)
NGC 6541 GlobularCluster CrA Visible Level 1 Naked eye / Binoculars - Higher magnification helpful
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Properties

Magnitude 6.6
Angular Size 7.5′
glob. cl. , B, R, eC, gbM, rrr, st 15...16

Position & Identifiers

RA 18h 07m 60.0s
Dec -43° 42' 00.0"
Constellation CrA
Catalog NGC 6541

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

108x TFOV: 0.5° Lim. mag: 13.3
N E

NGC 6541 · 7.5′ diameter · N up, E left

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About NGC 6541

Description

NGC 6541 is a bright globular cluster in Corona Australis, about 22,800 light-years away. It is a moderately concentrated cluster spanning about 13 arcminutes with an integrated magnitude of 6.6.

Observing Tips

Visible as a bright, round glow in binoculars. A 6-inch telescope begins to resolve the outer edges at 100x+. An 8-inch scope provides a fine view with many stars resolved around a dense unresolved core. Best in summer from southern locations.

History

Discovered by Niccolb Cacciatore in 1826 from the Palermo Observatory in Sicily. It is one of the nearer and brighter globular clusters in this part of the sky.

Fun Facts

NGC 6541 has a low metallicity, indicating it is one of the older globular clusters in the Milky Way, formed early in the galaxy's history when fewer heavy elements were available.