M 68

This 8-8.4 mag globular cluster lies at 33-40,000 light years, and its members are spread over a volume of about 140 light years diameter. It has at least 42 known variables, and is approaching us at 112 km/sec.

The nearby mark in the lower right shows the non-member Mira-type variable FI Hydrae, which has a period of about 324 days and can become as bright as 9th magnitude, and thus the appearence of the field varies considerably.

Right ascension	12 : 36.8 (hours : minutes)
Declination	-26 : 29 (degrees : minutes)
Distance	40.0 (light-years*10^3)
Visual magnitude	8.0