Description of object: M71 in Sagitta. Lying in star-rich region of the sky, it is almost possible to lose this cluster in the field of the Milky Way. The relatively loose scattering of stars makes it difficult to classify this cluster as globular or open when observed or photographed with most small equipment.

Picture Information: October 1, 2003.  The image was created by adding 16 ten-second exposures.
Moon Phase: 40%

Telescope and Camera Info.: Meade 12in. Schmidt-Cassegrain, f/10, with an Apogee AP6E CCD camera.