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Great Peacock Cluster (NGC 6752)
globular cluster in Pavo
NGC 6752, the Great Peacock Cluster, is one of the brightest globular clusters in the sky, a large, rich ball in Pavo that is a showpiece for southern observers. It is nearby by globular standards, so its stars resolve easily.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 6752
- Type
- globular cluster
- Constellation
- Pavo
- Size
- 20′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 5.4
- Distance
- about 13,000 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Jul
- Typical prime months
- Apr to Sep
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- No filter (broadband)
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How to image Great Peacock Cluster
- It is a southern object (dec -60). Northern observers rarely see it high, while southern sites see it well.
- At 20 arcminutes, use 800 to 1,200 mm.
- Blend in short exposures to keep the dense core from clipping.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 6752 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 1360 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 2420 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 3710 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 6752 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 5° | Stays low |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 65° | High in the sky |
Also worth imaging
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