July 2012
The centre of our galaxy passes across the meridian in July and if you're keen on Globulars, there are many to choose for some imaging. But this month's suggestions are my favourites - Nebulae (or Nebulas if you are enamoured by the Yankee English).
M17 / NGC 6618, Omega/Horseshoe/Swan Nebula- this magnitude 6 emission nebula is around 5000 light years distant and appears quite close to the Eagle Nebula; excellent for imaging.
M8 / NGC 6523, Lagoon Nebula- a diffuse nebula and another beauty at magnitude 5, lying at a distance of around 5000 light years contains an Open Cluster - begging to be imaged!
M16 / NGC 6611, Eagle Nebula/The Ghost/Star Queen Nebula- OK, got you on some of those alternate names? Yes, true! Anyway, it's an emission nebula with an Open Cluster. Beaming at us at magnitude 6, it's another goodie and should be easy at only around 9000 light years away.
M20 / NGC 6514, Trifid Nebula/The Clover- so, never heard of The Clover? Yes, another true story. Once again, a ripper nebula, with cluster, displaying some beautiful blue in its emission.