Observer's guide
About NGC 6981
NGC 6981 (M72) is catalogued as a globular cluster in Aquarius. Its J2000 position is RA 20:53:27.91, Dec -12:32:13.4, corresponding to 313.3654 degrees RA and -12.5373 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 52,800 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 5.9 by 5.9 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 9.3. It is associated with summer observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around July. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 25.5 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is GlC. A published radial velocity value is -331.4 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 475 bibliographic references.
At roughly 5.9 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 5.9 by 5.9 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.