Comments:
M56 is located about half-way between Beta Cygni (Albireo) and Gamma
Lyrae. It is one of the less bright Messier globulars, especially lacking
the bright core which most globulars have. Nevertheless it is not too
difficult to resolve, even at its rather large distance. This led to its
classification in concentration class X. At its distance of 32,900
light-years. its diameter of 8.8 arc minutes corresponds to a linear
extension of about 85 light years.