M71

M71 is an unusual globular cluster which is small and loosely coupled. Lying relatively near to Earth, M71 was for some time considered to be an open cluster but recent evidence indicates that it more properly belongs to the globulars. This cluster is difficult to see in a small telescope and only a handful of the brightest stars can be glimpsed. On my time-exposure photograph, numerous suns appear against a background of faint Milky Way stars.

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