M13 - Great Cluster in Hercules

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M13 - Great Cluster in Hercules

M13 is one of the most observed star clusters in the Northen hemisphere.  It is estimated to contain over 500,000 stars and 30,000 stars have been actually counted.  It appears there is something in the center drawing the stars close to one another.  The density of stars in the center makes them blend together.  The red stars in the picture are red giants that can be as large as 2000 times our sun.  This cluster lies within our Milky Way Galaxy at a distance of about 21,000 light years.  The object is bright enough to see in binoculars in  a dark sky.

Date:  4-27-04

Telescope: RC10 Prime Focus        Camera: ST8XE AB              

Exposure Time: LRGB 50min 1bin;10min;10min;10min; 2x2bin No Flats were taken

Processing: Maxim,reduced, DDP, Adobe combined