M72 is a 9th magnitude globular star cluster in Aquarius. It is located in the same general area of the sky and is overshadowed by the brighter globular cluster M2. M72 is less concentrated than most other globulars, and has a degree of concentration comparable to M4 and M12. This globular is located about 60,000 light-years away, and is approaching us at a speed of about 160 miles per second. M72 was discovered by M. Mechain in August 1780, and was confirmed by Charles Messier in October 1780.
This is a composite RGB CCD image taken with a Takahashi FCT-150 refractor telescope using an SBIG ST-8XE CCD. This image was taken from my backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona.
M72 (NGC 6981)
Constellation: Aquarius
RA: 20h 53m 49s Dec: -12d 30' 49"
May 24, 2006
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
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