Messier 55

Object:   M55 (NGC 6809) Date:               2018 September 14
Type:  Globular cluster
Constellation:           Sagittarius Time & altitude:          20.40 UT    7º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               2/5
            R.A:                19h 40m Transparency (5 high):                   3/5
            Dec:                -30º 58 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     7.0 Eyepiece       17mm Ethos              x120
            Size (mins)    19 Filters:            None

Notes:

As far below the celestial equator as the previous target, M56, is above it. Had to use the setting circles for this one. In this region there is nothing visible to the unaided eye below Sigma Sgr, mag 2.0, altitude 10º. With the telescope on M55, the finder shows only one star, mag 5.5. The view of M55 itself is hopeless. The sky background is very bright and the cluster is nearly washed out. It is just an inconspicuous mist with no central condensation. There is a 9th mag. star preceding the cluster about half the field of view away to the W, and a few foreground stars superimposed on the cluster.