M73 (NGC 6994)
Apparent Magnitude: 9.0
Distance Aprox: 2,500 light-years
Constellation: Aquarius
Star Count: 4
Diameter: 60 light-years
Messier 73 is an asterism of four stars. An asterism is composed of physically unconnected stars that appear close to each other in the sky as seen from Earth. M73 was discovered by Charles Messier on October 4, 1780, who originally described the object as a cluster of four stars with some nebulosity. Subsequent observations by John Herschel, however, failed to reveal any nebulosity. Moreover, Herschel noted that the designation of M73 as a cluster was questionable. Nonetheless, Herschel included M73 in his General Catalogue of clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, and John Dreyer included M73 when he compiled the New General Catalogue.
Taken 9/26/19 in Kenton, Oklahoma by Russell Kille on a Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT at f/7.7 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera.