M53

Click on image for larger version.

M53 is relatively lonely in the constellation of Coma Berenices. The nearby neighbor M3 is often observed instead. However this cluster deserves a brief visit in the telescope at least once. Although dim in appearence, this cluster is actually quite large at 250 light years in diameter. Its faintness and small size are attributed to its remote distance of 60,000 light years.

Equipment

Meade 16in LX200 telescope operating at f/6.3
SBIG ST8E CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 30 minutes binned 2x2
 Red = 6 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 6 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 12 minutes binned 3x3
  • This is a very deep exposure of this globular cluster.
  • Digital Developement (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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    Minimum credit line: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 02/3/2001