An open cluster located Scorpius. The name derives from Robert Burnham's description that it resembles an outline of a butterfly with open wings. The cluster is estimated to contain up to 300 members, and its age is 50 to 100 million years old. Like most open clusters, the stars will disperse over millions of years and become more background stars in Scorpius.
Messier 6 The Butterfly Cluster
- Constellation: Scorpius
- Right Ascension: 17h 40.1m
- Declination: −32° 13′
- Distance: 1,600 ly
- Details
- Category: Open Clusters
- Telescope: EDT 80mm Reftactor
- Camera: ZWO A071 Color