M56

M56 is about 33,000 light-years from Earth and is approximately 85 light-years in diameter. Lacking the bright central core that most globular clusters possess, this one is somewhat less brilliant than its peers. Seen against a background of faint Milky Way stars, this object is approaching us at a velocity of about 100 miles per second.

Taken October 9, 2009, with the ST-8 on the C-14 operating at F:7. Exposure was 5 minutes.