Messier 72 is a small globular cluster located in the constellation of Aquarius.

It shines at an apparent magnitude of 9.3 has an apparent size of 5 arcminutes. It is located at a distance of 55,400 light-years and is believed to be 9.5 billion years old.

M72 was discovered by Pierre Méchain on August 29, 1780. Both he and Charles Messier, who observed it in October of that year, thought it was a nebula. John Herschel, however, later resolved it into a cluster of stars in a larger telescope.

North is to the top in the above image.

Messier 72 Catalogs: M72, NGC 6981 Object Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 9.2v Size: 6.6' Constellation: Aquarius Image Field Centered At: RA: 20h 53m 28s Dec: -12° 32' 14"