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| Catalogue and alternative designations | NGC
6231
|
| Type | Open Cluster |
| Position | 16 54.0, -41 48 |
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Camera and Telescope | STXL16200 and 36.8cm Ritchey Chretien |
| Focal Ratio | F9 |
| Exposure Details | LRGB with L=120m (incorporating synthetic luminance) and R = G = B = 70m all unbinned with Astrodon series 2 filters |
| Description | Possibly
one of the best open clusters in
the sky, NGC 6231 is easily
visible in binoculars and under
very dark skies can be glimpsed
without optical aid. It
was discovered by Giovanni
Batista Hodierna before 1654 and
independently by other
subsequent astronomers including
Lacaille. NGC 6231 is part
of the Scorpius OB1 association
and is estimated to be about 3.2
million years old.
|