M80 is a small but bright globular cluster located about 4 degrees NW 
from Antares.  It's discovery is credited with both Messier and Mechain 
in January of 1781.  Located about 36,000 light years away, it has a 
diameter of 50 light years.  M80 exhibits a moderate radial velocity of 
11 miles per second in recession.

This image of M80 has been log scaled to bring out detail and to 
compress the brightness range of the image so that it more closely 
resembles that of photographic film.  It has also been sharpened to 
bring out detail.

Object: M80 (NGC 6093)
Coordinates: Right Ascension 16hr 14.1m, Declination -22deg 52m
Constellation: Scorpius
Size: 5 minutes of arc
Magnitude: 8

Telescope focal length: 500mm
Telescope aperture: 80mm
Camera: Santa Barbara Instruments ST-6
Exposure: 200s (10 @ 20s)
Observer(s): Greg Latta