✨ NGC 6268
Object data
| Type | Open cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Right ascension | 17h02m10.3s (255.5430°) |
| Declination | -39°43'42" (-39.7282°) |
| Magnitude | mag 9.5 |
| Apparent size | 6′ |
| Other designations | NGC 6268 |
An open cluster in Scorpius.
Midnight transit date (best season to observe and image)
Location: Tokyo (change)
Around Jun 3, 2026
The date it transits around midnight (transit altitude about 15°)
This date has already passed this year. Next year (2027) it will be around Jun 3.
For about 2–3 weeks either side of this date, the object stays high from evening to dawn — its observing season.
Best time to observe tonight
Tonight (Oct 10 evening – Oct 11 dawn) · Location: Tokyo (full darkness = end of astronomical dusk to start of dawn, altitude ≥ 15°)
Moon tonight: Waning crescent (age 28.6 days, 1% illuminated) — Little moonlight — a good time for faint objects
It never reaches 15° at this location (maximum altitude at transit: about 15°).
Night (sunset – sunrise)
Full darkness (dusk – dawn)
Moon up (darker = brighter moon)
Best time to observe (thick line)
Now
Sunset 17:13 → Dusk 18:37 → Dawn 4:19 → Sunrise 5:43