Click for Higher Resolution>

Date

2011

Location

Mayhill, NM

Software

ACP, MaxIm DL, TheSky6

Mount

Software Bisque Paramount ME

Guide

Atik 16IC, Astrodon MMOAG

 Optic

OGS/RCOS 10" RC

Camera

Atik 11000C

Filter

OSC RGB

Exposure

600s x 20

Process

Astroart 5, PixInsight, Photoshop CS5

x

Billions and Billions.com/Hercules Cluster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Globular Cluster M13 in Hercules 

is considered the finest 'Glob' in the northern hemisphere, second only to the magnificent Omega Centauri of the south.  Discovered by Edmond Halley (comet fame) in 1714  in the Keystone of Hercules, it likely has over one million individual stars.  Its distance from earth is estimated at 20,000 light years and the diameter, 160 light years across.  Roughly 100 globular clusters of similar appearance surround our galaxy.  They are ancient travelers, billions of years old and comprised of mostly metal-deficient stars near the end of their life.  Note NGC 6207 at bottom left as well as several other tiny edge-on galaxies in the field.  Click for a larger version or return to the Gallery