M3 = NGC5272 ( 13h 42.2m +28°23´, 6.4 mag )


This globular cluster in Canes Venatici was discovered by Messier on May 3, 1764. It is about 32,000 ly away and has diameter of about 220 ly. It is estimated to contain 500,000 stars. Streams of bright yellow giants seem to form tentacles around the cluster. The easiest way to find M3 is to star hop 6°75' E of b Comae (see finder chart below). It can be also located from starting from r Bootis (click here to access alternative finder chart).

Above image of M3 was taken on April 5, 2002 from Harrowsmith, Ontario using Cookbook 245 LDC CCD camera on Ultima 8 f6.3 telescope, autoguided with Cookbook 211 LDC CCD camera on piggybacked 500mm f8 telephoto lens. Fifteen white exposures (120 sec. each) were combined with cyan, magenta and yellow-filtered integrations (5 x 120 sec. each.) using with AIP4WIN.

North is to the left.


Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 10°. North is up.


M2 <<

Messier List

>> M4

       

Canes Venatici Page


Number of visitors:


© Jan Wisniewski