About this Object:
Messier 72 (also known as M72 or NGC 6981) is a globular cluster in the Aquarius constellation discovered by Pierre Méchain on August 29, 1780. M72 is located at about 53,000 light-years away from Earth and lies in a considerable distance beyond the galactic center. Generally considered a young cluster, the cluster has several blue giants, yet star clusters generally contain the oldest stars.

About this Photo:
Date(s): July 3, 2011
Location: From my driveway in Georgetown, Texas
Telescope: Celestron C9.25 @ F6.3
Mount: CGEM
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider / Taurus Tracker III OAG
Camera: Canon 40D Modified
Filter: None
Exposure: 2 x 120s @ ISO1600 (4 Min total)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 – Darks,Flats,Bias
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS3; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools;
Temperature(s): 85º F