M 3
Globular Cluster
M 3 (also NGC 5272) is a globular cluster of stars in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici.
It was discovered on May 3, 1764 and was the first Messier object to be discovered by Charles Messier himself. Messier originally mistook the object for a nebula without stars. This mistake was corrected after the stars were resolved by William Herschel around 1784. Since then, it has become one of the best-studied globular clusters.
This cluster is one of the largest and brightest, and is made up of around 500,000 stars. It is estimated to be 11.4 billion years old and 32,600 light-years (10.0 kpc) away from Earth. Messier 3 is quite isolated as it is 31.6 kly (9.7 kpc) above the Galactic plane and roughly 38.8 kly (11.9 kpc) from the center of the Milky Way. It contains 274 known variable stars, by far the most found in any globular cluster.
It was discovered on May 3, 1764 and was the first Messier object to be discovered by Charles Messier himself. Messier originally mistook the object for a nebula without stars. This mistake was corrected after the stars were resolved by William Herschel around 1784. Since then, it has become one of the best-studied globular clusters.
This cluster is one of the largest and brightest, and is made up of around 500,000 stars. It is estimated to be 11.4 billion years old and 32,600 light-years (10.0 kpc) away from Earth. Messier 3 is quite isolated as it is 31.6 kly (9.7 kpc) above the Galactic plane and roughly 38.8 kly (11.9 kpc) from the center of the Milky Way. It contains 274 known variable stars, by far the most found in any globular cluster.
Image Details
| Date |
May 14, 2022 & May 27, 2023 |
| LOCATion |
Hannover (Germany) |
| Sky Quality |
Bortle 5 |
| Telescope |
Skywatcher 200/1000 f/5 |
| Mount |
Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro |
| Main Camera |
ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro Gain 100, Offset 18, -10° |
| Exposure |
658 x 30' (5h 29′) |
| Guiding |
ZWO ASI 120 MM, PHD2 |
| Calibration |
Flats, Darks, Darkflats |
| Software |
N.I.N.A., EQMod |
Processing | Astropixelprocessor, Photoshop, Pixinsight |
Gallery
view image
NGC 6914
view image
IC 447
view image
Interstellar Shells
view image
Orion Nebula
view image
Regulus & Dwarf Galaxy
view image
Sh2-140
view image
Sh2-187
view image
NGC 2403
view image
NGC 654
view image
Coathanger, Loch Ness a.o.
view image
Ghost of Cassiopeia
view image
Bode's Galaxy
view image
Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318)
view image
NGC 3184
view image
M 38 in HaRGB
view image
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
view image
NGC 7822
view image
Pinwheel Galaxy
view image
Cone Nebula
view image
Aurora
view image
NGC 4151 & 4145
view image
Cave Nebula
view image
NGC 4725, 4747 & 4712
view image
The Crescent Nebula
view image
Lion Nebula
view image
M 13
view image
Horsehead Nebula (SHO)
view image
M 35 & NGC 2158
view image
Sh2-134 Widefield
view image
NGC 5033 & Friends
view image
Clamshell Nebula
view image
The Dark Mermaid
view image
Loch Ness Nebula
view image
Heart & Soul Nebula
view image
Iris Nebula
view image
Elephant's Trunk Nebula
view image
NGC 3718
view image
Flaming Star Nebula
view image
IC 410
view image
Andromeda Galaxy
view image
Leo Triplet
view image
Jellyfish Nebula
view image
M 3
view image
h and χ Persei (HaRGB)
view image
VDB 14 & 15
view image
Northamerica Nebula
view image
M 106
view image
Sh2-120 & NGC 7031
view image
NGC 188
view image
Tulip Nebula
view image
Markarian's Chain
view image
Wizard Nebula
view image
Bubble & Lobster Claw Nebula
view image
Copernicus
view image
Mare Imbrium
