M 54 is a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius.
Though first discovered by Messier in the 1700s, it was not
until 1994 that astronomers realized that this cluster is not
located in our galaxy at all, but in a small nearby galaxy called
the Sagittarius Elliptical Dwarf Galaxy. M 54 is 87,000 light
years from earth, and is one of the most luminous globular clusters
known, outshone only by Omega Centauri in our galaxy.

Image Data:
Camera: Canon 350 XT (modified)
Exposure: ISO 800, 5 mintues x 9
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian, Baader MPCC