Observer's guide
About NGC 6171
NGC 6171 (M107) is catalogued as a globular cluster in Ophiucus. Its J2000 position is RA 16:32:31.92, Dec -13:03:13.1, corresponding to 248.1327 degrees RA and -13.0538 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 19,600 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 10 by 10 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a hard target at magnitude 7.9. It is associated with summer observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around May. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 24.9 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
A small telescope under reasonably dark skies is a good starting point; use the live altitude chart to choose its highest point.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is GlC. A published radial velocity value is -34.7 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 843 bibliographic references.
At roughly 10 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 10 by 10 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.