M72, NGC 6981

M72 is a globular cluster in the constellation Aquarius. One of the more remote Messier globulars, at around 53000 light-years, it does not have a very compact core. Somewhat over 90 light-years across, because it is so distant it is actually one of the intrinsically brightest globulars known. This composite was created from images taken in July 1998 at the KPNO 0.9-meter telescope, during the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program operated at the Kitt Peak National Observatory and supported by the National Science Foundation, supplemented by further images taken in October 1998. Image size 7.9 arc minutes.