Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Hercules (Her)  ·  Contains:  Hercules Globular Cluster  ·  M 13  ·  NGC 6205
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M13, Awesome Seeing, Bill Dirks

M13, Awesome Seeing

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M13, Awesome Seeing, Bill Dirks

M13, Awesome Seeing

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Description

Known as the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules. Brightest globular cluster in the Northern hemisphere. A popular target for amateur astronomers, this object is easily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Estimated to contain about 300,000 to 500,000 stars.

This was kind of a bonus image, captured over a few nights in short sessions in the hours just before dawn, after long sessions on galaxies. At this time M13 was directly overhead at the end of the night, the best opportunity for getting a sharp image.

Captured with a monochrome camera and L,R,G,B filters.

The steadiest air was April 11th, captured 8 very sharp L exposures. (Wow. Threw out all earlier exposures.) April 16th was again very good and got R,G,B exposures. (Really excited now.) Unfortunately two of the L exposures had satellite trails that didn't get fully removed in processing. But the 18th was again very good, took 12 more L exposures. Final L plane uses the 6 good L exposures from the 11th, plus the 4 best from the 18th, then combined with the (even sharper) green plane weighted 85% L + 15% G. (Final L plane FWHM 1.85".) All R,G,B exposures were used for color.

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M13, Awesome Seeing, Bill Dirks