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M3, one of the 110 objects cataloged in the Messier catalog, is a globular
cluster in Canes Venatici. This is one of the more spectacular
globular clusters in the northern hemisphere and is estimated to contain
about 500,000 stars. The cluster is 35 to 40,000 light years distant
and has a diameter of about 90 light years. This cluster is quite
bright at magnitude 5.9 and is easily visible in smaller telescopes or
binoculars.
Globular clusters are some of the oldest objects in our galaxy and consist
mainly of very old white dwarf stars that are gravitationally bound
together. They form more or less a sphere around the core of the
galaxy rather than being located in the galactic disk as is the case with
most other matter in the galaxy. Globular clusters are some of the
most rewarding visual targets available most especially from dark skies.
Back to Messier Gallery
Date: 5/23/2006
Location:
Home
Telescope: 10" LX200 SCT @ f/10
Mount: AP-1200GTO
Camera: Canon 20D, ISO
800
Filters: IDAS LPS
Exposure Count: 13 @ 120 sec.
Guiding: Unguided
Post Processing:
Images Plus - Dark calibration, align combine, digital
development
NeatImage: Noise reduction
Photoshop CS2: Crop, sharpening, levels, color
balance
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