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Messier 71 |
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 | M71 is a star cluster in the constellation Sagitta. Although more people probably classify it as a globular cluster, despite its rather spread-out appearance, there are still some who maintain it's just a centrally condensed open cluster. The distinction between a loose globular cluster and a condensed open cluster is thus seen to be rather a fine one. At about 12000 light-years from us, M71 is quite small, probably only 30 or so light-years across, although there are further outlying stars whose membership in M71 is uncertain. This is one of the stranger looking of the Messier globulars. It looks more like a smudge than a sphere of light. In a 8" scope, at 125x, a few individual stars can be resolved here and there. There's no real central brightening of the cluster, it's closer to looking like a cone of smeared light. |
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| You can find more information about this Messier object by visiting: SEDS - The Messier Catalog. |
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M71 NGC 6838 Other description: Globular cluster highly resolved. Constellation: Sagitta Dreyer description: Cluster, very large, very rich in stars, westward much compressed, stars of magnitude 11 to 16; = M71. Magnitude: 8.3 RA: 19h 53m 59.6s Dec: +18°47'23" RA: 19h 53m 48.0s Dec: +18°47'00" (Epoch 2000) Azm: 146°17'36" Alt: +58°55'03" Rise: 19:11 Transit: 02:41 Set: 10:07 Size: 7.2' |