M71 Globular Star Cluster

Figure 1. The M71 Globular Cluster

Messier 71 (M71) is a globular star cluster in the constellation Sagitta. M71 has a loose structure and was once thought to be a dense open cluster. It lies about 13,000 light-years from Earth and is estimated to be 9 to 10 billion years old. Astronomers now classify M71 as a globular cluster with a relatively sparse core.

The cluster is located in the disk of our Milky Way, so you see it surrounded by many, many stars.