Globular Cluster NGC 6426
History
This globular cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 3 June 1786 and listed as II 587. He noted: «Faint, considerably large, of irregular figure.» [464] Edouard Stephan rediscovered the cluster again on 18 June 1876 and reported it in his 7th discovery list (#18). Therefore Dreyer catalogued it again in the GC Supplement as #5870, but he combined both GC entries in the NGC. [364]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 6426 |
| Type | GCL (IX) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 17h 44m 54.7s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +03° 10' 15" |
| Diameter | 4.2 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 10.9 mag |
| Metric Distance | 20.600 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | vF, cL, E, vlbM |
| Identification, Remarks | WH II 587; GC 4325=5870; GCL 76 |
Finder Chart
The globular cluster NGC 6426 is located in the constellation Ophiuchus, circa 1° northwest of 3.7 mag star γ Ophiuchi. On 18 June it is in opposition to the Sun. From Switzerland it can best be seen in the months January to November.
