This little cluster is NGC 6603 and resides along the fabulous Sagittarius Star Cloud (Messier 24). The Star Cloud spans over 600 light years in diameter and is a concentration of stars along the Carina-Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. NGC 6603 lays 9,400 light years distant from Earth and is situated along the Star Cloud. When viewed in binoculars, the Sagittarius Star Cloud will display over 1,000 visible stars in the field of view.

NGC 6603 and the Sagittarius Star Clouds are regularly visible at Frosty Drew Observatory during the summertime months. -Scott