M11 - Wild Duck Cluster

About this image

The Wild Duck Cluster (also known as Messier 11, or NGC 6705) is an open cluster in the constellation Scutum. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1681. Charles Messier included it in his catalogue in 1764.

The Wild Duck Cluster is one of the richest and most compact of the known open clusters, containing about 2900 stars. Its age has been estimated to about 220 million years. Its name derives from the brighter stars forming a triangle which could represent a flying flock of ducks.

Technical Details

Optics
Vixen ED81S
Mount
Vixen GP, Skysensor 2000 PC
Guiding
9x50 Finderscope, DMK21AU04, PHD guiding
Camera
Canon EOS 450D
Filters
-
Date
04 Jul, 2011
Location
Korinthos, Greece
Exposure
20x4 min ISO 400 light frames; 4x4 min ISO 400 dark frames
Programs used
ImagesPlus 3.82

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