M15 - Globular Cluster in Pegasus
Copyright 2001 Hap Griffin
M15 is one of the more conspicuous of the globular star clusters in small telescopes. It is at a distance of 33,600 light years and is 120 light-years in diameter. It has an absolute brightness 360,000 times that of our sun, with its brightest stars having a luminosity of 1000 times that of our sun.
M15 is one of the densest globular star clusters in our galaxy. The individual stars in it's super-dense core can only be resolved by the largest of telescopes. A HST photo of the core can be seen here.
Date/Location:
October 17, 2001 Griffin/Hunter
Observatory Bethune, SC
Instrument: Meade f6.3 10" LX-200
Focal Ratio: Approx. f4 (utilizing focal reducer in GEG)
Guiding: Manual - Lumicon GEG
Conditions: Visually clear
Weather: 45 F, calm
Film: Kodak Elite Chrome 200
Exposure: 1 x 40 minutes
Filters: None
Processing: Finished in Photoshop 5