Globular Cluster M72 (NGC 6981), class IX, in Aquarius

RA 20 : 53.5 (h:m); Declination -12 : 32 (deg:m); Distance 55.400 light years;
Visual Brightness 9.3 (mag); Apparent Dimension 6.6 (arc min)

Messier 72 is one of the apparently smaller and fainter globular clusters in Messier's catalog. It is situated in the very western part of constellation Aquarius, close to the the group of four stars, M73.

M72 is one of the more remote of Messier's globular clusters: At about 53,000 light years, it lies a considerable distance beyond the Galactic Center.

Source and more: SEDS

September 10, 2006 19:35 - 19:40 UT. Imaged with LX200 10-inch f/10 telescope with 0.33 Focal Reducer operating at f/4.06 [focal length 1015mm] and Baader Infra Red Blocking Filter. Camera: Vesta Pro SC3a b/w RAW webcam, 40 unguided exposures of 4 seconds.