M13: A Great Globular Cluster of Stars
Explanation:
M13
is one of the most prominent and best known
globular clusters.
Visible with binoculars in the constellation of
Hercules, M13 is frequently one of the first objects found by
curious sky gazers seeking
celestials wonders
beyond
normal human vision.
M13 is a colossal home to over 100,000 stars, spans over 150
light years across,
lies over 20,000 light years distant, and is over 12 billion years old.
At the 1974 dedication of
Arecibo Observatory, a
radio message
about Earth was sent in the direction of
M13.
The
featured image
in HDR,
taken through a small telescope, spans an angular size just larger than a full Moon,
whereas the
inset image,
taken by
Hubble Space Telescope, zooms in on the central 0.04 degrees.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
