A photometric study of the bright cloud B in Sagittarius.

U, B, V, and R plates for a 10 deg x 10 deg area centered on star 45 Oph are analyzed. The detection and measurement of the data are described. The variable stars detected in this area are studied. Consideration is given to planetary nebulae, galaxies in a direction near the galactic center, and open and globular stellar clusters. The data reveal 621 red variable stars in field O; 1592 red variable stars in field A and D; and 1238 red variable stars in field B. It is noted that the observations are useful for the study of objects populating the galactic bulge.