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
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The Crescent Nebula
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Cave Nebula
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Lion Nebula
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IC 447
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Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
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Clamshell Nebula
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Clamshell Nebula in HOO
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The Dark Mermaid
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Bode's Galaxy
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Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318)
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Butterfly Nebula (HOO)
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NGC 7822
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Cone Nebula (RGB)
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Cone Nebula (HOO)
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Loch Ness Nebula
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Heart Nebula
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Heart & Soul Nebula
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Iris Nebula
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Horsehead Nebula
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Horsehead Nebula (SHO)
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Pinwheel Galaxy
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Elephant's Trunk Nebula
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Sh2-134 Widefield
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Flaming Star Nebula
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IC 410
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M 13
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M 38 in HaRGB
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Andromeda Galaxy
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NGC 5033 & Friends
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Orion Nebula
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Leo Triplet
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Jellyfish Nebula
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Jellyfish Nebula in HOO
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Regulus & Leo I Dwarf Galaxy
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Sh2-86
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M 3
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h and χ Persei (HaRGB)
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h and χ Persei (RGB)
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VDB 14 & 15
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Northamerica Nebula
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M 106
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NGC 188
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Tulip Nebula
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Markarian's Chain
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Wizard Nebula
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Bubble & Lobster Claw Nebula
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Copernicus
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M 35 & NGC 2158
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Mare Imbrium
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M 44
