The Butterfly Cluster (M6)

R/B-band color composite image from the Second Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2), measuring 15 arcminutes across.

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From South El Monte , the Butterfly Cluster is visible between 23:49 and 03:39. It will become accessible at around 23:49, when it rises to an altitude of 18° above your south-eastern horizon. It will reach its highest point in the sky at 01:44, 23° above your southern horizon. It will become inaccessible at around 03:39 when it sinks below 18° above your south-western horizon.

Name The Butterfly Cluster (M6)
Object type Open cluster
Other names
The Butterfly Cluster
M6[1]
NGC 6405[3]
Cr 341[4]
Mel 178[5]
Position
Right ascension:17h40m [3]
Declination:−32°15' [3]
Constellation:Scorpius
Magnitude:4.20 (V) [5]
4.48 (B) [3]
Distance:487.0 parsec
1587.6 lightyrs [2]
B-V Color (mag):0.28
Derived quantities
Absolute mag (V):-4.24
Events
16 Jun 2025  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
17 Jun 2026  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
17 Jun 2027  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
16 Jun 2028  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
16 Jun 2029  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
17 Jun 2030  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
17 Jun 2031  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed
16 Jun 2032  –  The Butterfly cluster is well placed

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