M 72

M 72 (also known as NGC 6981) is a globular cluster visible in the constellation Aquarius. It is located at the western end of the constellation, 1.5° west of another Messier object (among the more insignificant), M73, and about 3° west-southwest from NGC 7009, the "Saturn Nebula"; it can be identified with 10x50 binoculars on clear nights and with the object moderately high on the horizon, but being one of the most difficult globular clusters to resolve into stars, it remains nebulous in appearance. A small-power telescope does not improve its observation; the first stars begin to show themselves only in a 250mm aperture telescope and with high magnifications.

M72 can be observed quite easily from all populated areas of the Earth, thanks to the fact that it is located at a not excessively southern declination: only in some areas of Northern Europe and Canada, beyond the Arctic Circle, can its visibility be difficult, while in Central Europe it already appears fairly high; from the southern hemisphere the cluster is clearly visible high up on southern winter nights and in its tropical belt it can be seen perfectly at the zenith. The best period for its observation in the evening sky is between July and November.