Messier 13, also known as the Great Hercules Cluster, is one of the finest globular clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere. Located approximately 22,000 light-years away in the constellation Hercules, this vast stellar swarm contains several hundred thousand stars packed into a region about 145 light-years across. Many of its stars are ancient, dating back over 11 billion years.
This deep LRGB image was captured over 17 hours and 50 minutes, revealing the dense, bright core and intricate halo of stars that extend outward into the surrounding field. Blue-tinged horizontal branch stars and cooler red giants are easily visible. The Great Cluster continues to be a popular target for both visual observation and astrophotography, showcasing the grandeur of stellar evolution in our galaxy’s halo.
Messier 13, also known as the Great Hercules Cluster, is one of the finest globular clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere. Located approximately 22,000 light-years away in the constellation Hercules, this vast stellar swarm contains several hundred thousand stars packed into a region about 145 light-years across. Many of its stars are ancient, dating back over 11 billion years.
This deep LRGB image was captured over 17 hours and 50 minutes, revealing the dense, bright core and intricate halo of stars that extend outward into the surrounding field. Blue-tinged horizontal branch stars and cooler red giants are easily visible. The Great Cluster continues to be a popular target for both visual observation and astrophotography, showcasing the grandeur of stellar evolution in our galaxy’s halo.