mattie_shoes
The great globular cluster in Hercules (M13)
A globular cluster is kind of a miniature galaxy containing thousands of stars rather than billions. This one is large for a globular cluster, containing hundreds of thousands or perhaps even a million stars. This one is usually called "The great globular cluster in Hercules" or M13 as it's the 13th object on Messier's list of deep-sky objects. It's about 25,000 lightyears away and orbits our own Milky Way. It's located on Hercules' thigh or side, depending on which stick figure of Hercules you choose to see. Under exceedingly dark skies (think rowboat in the middle of the pacific ocean) with no moon, this is visible as a small light gray patch in the sky.
My full shot also caught a nearby galaxy but it was just a couple lighter grey pixels, not worth seeing. :)
This is something like 22 images, each at 25 seconds with a digital rebel XTi, aligned and stacked in IRIS. It was under a full moon which was washing out everything. :( Taken with an 8" newtonian telescope.
The great globular cluster in Hercules (M13)
A globular cluster is kind of a miniature galaxy containing thousands of stars rather than billions. This one is large for a globular cluster, containing hundreds of thousands or perhaps even a million stars. This one is usually called "The great globular cluster in Hercules" or M13 as it's the 13th object on Messier's list of deep-sky objects. It's about 25,000 lightyears away and orbits our own Milky Way. It's located on Hercules' thigh or side, depending on which stick figure of Hercules you choose to see. Under exceedingly dark skies (think rowboat in the middle of the pacific ocean) with no moon, this is visible as a small light gray patch in the sky.
My full shot also caught a nearby galaxy but it was just a couple lighter grey pixels, not worth seeing. :)
This is something like 22 images, each at 25 seconds with a digital rebel XTi, aligned and stacked in IRIS. It was under a full moon which was washing out everything. :( Taken with an 8" newtonian telescope.