M 3


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By
Catalog
Obj Type
Location
Date Taken:
Garrett
Messier 3
Star cluster
Mayhill, NM
03-24-2010
Description
Description: At a distance of about 33,900 light years, M 3 is further away than the center of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, but still shines at magnitude 6.2, corresponding to a luminosity of about 300,000 times that of our sun. These stars were all born about the same time many billions of years ago within a great cloud of Hydrogen gas. M 3 moves in an orbit around the center of our galaxy at a maximum distance of 44,000 light years above and below the plane of the Milky Way. From a dark sky M 3 is visible to the naked eye. I've not accomplished the sighting. The problem is finding a dark sky and 75 year old eyes.
Technical Details
Exposure Time:
RGB 1.25 hrs each
Camera:
SBIG STL-11000M
Telescope:
RCOS 16 inch f/8.7 Ritchey-Chretien
Mount:
Software Bisque Paramount ME
© 2024 Garrett
Used with permission, No reproduction of these images are permitted without written approval from Garrett.