Messier 3 -Globular Star Cluster in the Constellation Canes Venatici

 

Messier 3 imaged using the Seestar S30 with IR cut filter.
from the Jodrell Plank Observatory. Image credit: Kurt Thrust

" Messier 3 is a globular star cluster which may be viewed from the Northern Hemisphere using binoculars or a small telescope from a dark location. Its foot-print upon the night sky is both small and dim!

In reality, M3 is a spherical gravitational grouping of 500,000 stars. approximately 670 light years in diameter. It is located towards the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy some 34000 light years distant from Earth. Many of the stars are ancient and shine strongly at red wavelengths. The cluster is thought to be over 11 billion years old  which is a large proportion of the estimated existence of the known Universe.

The JPO team were astonished by how well the tiny Seestar S30 with its 30mm aperture lens system was able to resolve stars towards the centre of M3. Quite extraordinary!

Pip Stakkert is currently working upon processing data from last night where we used the Seestar to capture a mosaic multi-pane image of the Markarian Chain of Galaxies in Virgo" - Carl Segin Outreach Coordinator at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Uncropped version of Seestar S30 - M3