NGC 6207
July 2010 :
Unless you’re a rank beginner, you’ve no doubt marveled at the spectacular stellar swarm that is M13. Taking on the appearance of a spoonful of sparkling sugar dropped on a sheet of black velvet, the great globular cluster in Hercules is one of the night sky’s most dazzling sights.
Most backyard astronomers are so entranced by M13, that they fail to notice a small, faint oval patch of light a half degree to the northeast. This is the 11th magnitude galaxy NGC 6207. Years ago, I was just able to glimpse this 2’ by 1’ smudge in a 3-inch f/10 reflector. Most of the time, NGC 6207 will require a 4 to 6 inch scope, or larger.
M13 and NGC 6207 may appear close together, but they’re light years apart – literally! While M13 is a “mere” 23 thousand light years away, the light from NGC 6207 comes from a distance of 46 MILLION light years – two thousand times more distant!
Your comments on this column are welcome. E-mail me at gchaple@hotmail.com
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