M56

Object Type: Globular Cluster
Scope: C-9.25" SCT; Exposure 64 minutes.

Messier 56 (NGC 6779) is a globular cluster in Lyra, discovered by Charles Messier in 1779. It lies about 32,900 light-years away and spans roughly 84 light-years. A modest but pretty cluster, its brightest stars are around 13th magnitude, and it contains about a dozen known variable stars.