M71

M71 is a very loose globular cluster in the constellation Saggita.  It was originally thought that this might even be an dense open cluster but current analyses has detected characteristics (e.g., an H-R horizontal branch) that is more indicative of a globular cluster.  The shortness of this branch and the relative large amount of "metal" in the stars of M71 indicate that it is relatively young (around 9-10 billion years).

This cluster lies at a distance of around 12,000 light years and it is fairly small for a globular with a diameter of around 27 light years.  A Hubble image of the core of this cluster can be found at:  www.spacetelescope.org/images/potw1018a/