Messier 12

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🌌 Object Information

  • Name/Designation: Messier 12 – Gumball Cluster (NGC 6218)

  • Object Type: Globular Cluster

  • Constellation: Ophiuchus

  • Distance from Earth: ~15,700 light-years

  • Apparent Magnitude: ~6.7

  • Angular Size: ~16 arcminutes

📅 Imaging Info

  • Date: July 19, 2025

  • Location: Athens, Greece
  • Frames: 55 × 60″ exposures (55m)

  • Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: -5 °C

  • Bortle Scale: 8/9 (City sky)

🔭 Equipment & Guiding

  • Imaging Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS

  • Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

  • Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro

  • Filter: Baader UV/IR Cut Luminance 2″

  • Accessory: Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III Newton Coma Corrector

  • Guide Scope: Artesky 32mm Mini Guide Scope

  • Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini

🛠️ Software

  • Astro Photography Tool (APT)

  • PHD2 Guiding

  • PixInsight

  • BlurXTerminator

  • NoiseXTerminator