Zoom

M13 - Great Hercules Cluster

27 December 2024-1 January 2025

Alovera-1A
- Takahashi TOA 150 (1100mm f7.3)
- Moravian C3-61000
(More info later in technical sheet)

The Hercules globular cluster, M13 (constellation Hercules), is located at around 25,100 light-years from Earth. It contains a large number of red giant stars, which appear in the photograph as a spatter of yellowish or golden stars. Telescopes with apertures above 100 mm can resolve this cluster quite well. Its mass is on the order of 600-800 thousand times the mass of the solar sun. The stars are listed in the ' Catálogo de Ludendorff' (1905) and in the Kadla Catalogue (1966), but new stars are constantly being added.

The image shown above is the central zone of the whole field of view obtained with teh equipement used. The complite field of view can be seen below.

Zoom

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Location      Alovera, Coord.=40.5067, -3.24817, 
              Alt.=644 SQM=19.25 mag/arsec2 Bortle=Class 6
Main Tube     Takahashi TOA 150 Flat/Barlow 0.99x
              F.L. eff. 1089 f/7.3
Guider Tube   Baader P. Vario-Finder Flat/Barlow 1x
              F.L. eff. 250 f/4.1
Main camera   Moravian C3-61000, 9576 x 6388, 3.76 µm
Guider Camera ZWO ASI290MM Mini USB, 1936 x 1096, 2.9 µm
Mount         10Micron HPS GM2000
Filters	
	R  Broad Band nm Δ= nm    1x1, 0 gain,    T=-10oC, 120s x 30
	G  Broad Band nm Δ= nm    1x1, 0 gain,    T=-10oC, 120s x 35
	B  Broad Band nm Δ= nm    1x1, 0 gain,    T=-10oC, 120s x 41
	H&alpha 656.3 nm Δ=6.5 nm 1x1, 2800 gain, T=-7oC,  120s x 16

Processing info

This image has been processed using consecutive stretching and masking sequences, so that as the stars gain intensity, do not saturate those in their vicinity. In addition, this photograph has been colour calibrated as best as possible, in order to be able to clearly distinguish the young (blueish) stars from the older, yellowish-golden ones.

You can find very exhaustive information at Wikipedia or at NASA

Back