M4 / Spider Cluster
This bright splattering of light is called M4, short for messier 4, but colloquially (casually) called the Spider Cluster.
The Spider Cluster is a globular cluster, meaning a large grouping of stars, in this case upwards of 100,000.
M4 is unique for a couple of reasons. 1, it's my favorite globular cluster. 2, it's the closest GB to our solar system- only 5,500 light years away! 3, it's home to some of the oldest stars in our universe, with some up to 13 billion years old (which is also super cool because it gives us a better idea of the minimum age of our universe).
M4 makes a great amateur stargazing target as its pretty easy to find in the night sky (if you're in the northern hemisphere that is). Look for Antares, the bright red star in the middle of Scorpio, and look slightly up and to the right. It's usually visible as a bright blob in binoculars and as a cluster in 4 inch telescopes. Due to how close it is it's very bright with an (apparent) magnitude of 5.9.
M4 is most visible in the summer months with June through July being optimal viewing months.
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photo credits: La Silla Observatory
citations: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-4/
