M68 = NGC4590 ( 12h 39.5m -26°45´, 8.2 mag. )


This globular cluster in Hydra was discovered by Mechain in 1780 and Messier observed it on April 9 of the same year. M68 is located 31,300 ly away and measures 100 ly across. This very concentarted cluster contains over 100,000 stars. Look for it about 3°30' SSE of b Corvi (see finder chart below).

The above image was taken on January 9, 1998 from Sooke, BC. Cookbook 245 LDC CCD camera was used on Ultima 8 f6.3 telescope. This image is composed of 8 x 1 min. unguided integrations taken through 23A red filter, processed with Multi245 and AIP245.

Field of view corresponds to 18 x 13 arcminutes with North to the right.


Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 7°45'. North is up.


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© Jan Wisniewski