M70 is a small magnitude 7.8 globular star cluster in Sagittarius. This globular has a relatively compressed nucleus. M70 has an interesting slightly curved "tail" of stars extending to the upper right of the cluster (as seen in this image). M70 is about 65,000 light-years away, and about 80 light-years in diameter. M70 was discovered by Charles Messier in August 1780. Sagittarius is a treasure trove of Messier objects, and has more Messier objects than any other constellation. In addition to M70, the constellation also has M8, M17, M18, M20, M21, M22, M23, M24, M25, M28, M54, M55, M69, and M75.
This is a composite RGB CCD image taken with a Takahashi FCT-150 refractor telescope. The CCD camera was an SBIG ST-8XE using a CFW-8 color filter wheel. This image was taken from my backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona.
M70 (NGC 6681)
Constellation: Sagittarius
RA: 18h 43m 37s Dec: -32d 17' 11"
April 12, 2006
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
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