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Scutum

The Shield

Constellation of the southern sky

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GenitiveScuti
AbbreviationSct
Constellation FamilyHercules
Celestial QuadrantSQ4
Right Ascension18h23 to 19h01
Declination-3.9° to -15.9°
Area (sq deg)109
Brightest StarIonnina
Optimum VisibilityJuly
NotesOriginally forming a western part of Aquila the Eagle, the constellation of Scutum is the fifth-smallest in the entire sky. It lies northward of Sagittarius, directly on the band of the Milky Way, and while it is lacking in prominent stars, it is comparatively rich in star clusters. Two of these clusters are Messier objects: M11, the Wild Duck Cluster, lies in the northern parts of Scutum, while M26 falls within the constellation's central regions.
Map of Scutum Map of Scutum

A minor constellation lying between Aquila and Sagittarius, perhaps best known for the Wild Duck star cluster, M11.

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