M-71 Cluster

M-71 is a unique and beautiful globular star cluster located roughly 13,000 light-years away in the small northern constellation of Sagitta (The Arrow). For many years, astronomers debated whether M71 was a dense open cluster or a loose globular cluster, but photometric studies have confirmed its status as an ancient, metal-rich globular star cluster.

Equipment & Details:

Optics: Orion 8” inch 3.9f Newtonian astrograph

Camera: Canon 60D DSLR unmoddified

Mount: Celestron AVX

Guiding: Orion starshoot autoguider 60mm guide scope

Date: June 22-2026

Location: Clarksdale Missouri

Exposures: Lights-108 with 2-minutes subs, total 3 hours 36 minutes Darks-48 Flats-30

Processing: Pixlnsight, Photoshop CS5