M53

Globular Cluster in the Constellation Coma Bernices

Globular star cluster Messier 53 (M53, NGC 5024) is one of the more outlying globulars, being about 60,000 light years away from the Galactic center, and almost the same distance (about 58,000 light years) from out Solar system. At this distance, its apparent angular diameter of 13' corresponds to a linear diameter of roughly 220 light years. It is rapidly approaching us at a velocity given by Mallas as 112 km/s, by Harris as 79 km/s. M53 has a bright compact central nucleus of about 2' in diameter, although its stars are not very concentrated toward the center when compared to other globulars, and a gradually decreasing density profile to the outer edges.

 (Text info courtesy of SEDS).

Image Details:

• Instrument:  Planewave CDK 12.5 @ f/8  (2544mm)
  Mount:  Astro-Physics AP-1200GTO
  Image Scale:  1.10 arc-seconds per pixel after processing
  Camera:  SBIG ST-2000XM with CFW8 Color Filter Wheel and AO-8 Adaptive Optics
  Filters & Exposure Times:
  • L:   10 x 2 minutes binned 1 x 1
  • R:  10 x 2 minutes binned 2 x 2
    G:     5 x 2 minutes binned 2 x 2
    B:     8 x 2 minutes binned 2 x 2 
  • Total equivalent unbinned exposure time of 2.2 hours
• Software:  Maxim DL/CCD, Adobe Photoshop CS2, RC Astro Gradient X-Terminator, Neat Image Pro
• Location:  C.A.A.S. East Observatory, Little Rock, AR., El. 660ft
• Date:  June 6th, 2010