M2

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M2

M2 is a bright globular cluster in Aquarius. It was discovered in 1746 by Jean-Dominique Maraldi and later rediscovered and cataloged by Charles Messier. William Herschel was the first to resolve the cluster into individual stars.

This cluster contains approximately 150,000 stars and is located at an approximate distance of 37,500 light years. M2 is one of the richer and more compact globular clusters. Its isophotes (lines of constant light intensity) are slightly elliptical, as can be detected in this photograph.

M2 has an estimated age of 13 billion years, about the same age as the globular clusters M3 and M5. Visually it shines at an apparent magnitude of 6.5 and has a size of 6 to 8 arcminutes in diameter, with a bright, compressed central region of about 5 arcminutes.

Exposure Data

Instrument: Intes Micro 8" f/6 Maksutov-Newton
F/stop: 6.0
Exposure: L: 16 x 30s, R: 15 x 30s, G: 14 x 30s, B: 18 x 30s
CCD: ST-402
Date: September 7, 2005 / September 9, 2005
Exposure start: 00:50 MEZ / 01:10 MEZ
Location: O2O Observatory, Mistelbach, Lower Austria
Conditions: Visual limiting magnitude 5 mag, temperature 20°C (decreasing), no wind, no dew
Autoguider: ST-7E
Enhancement: CCDSoft, Adobe Photoshop - by Howdii

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© 2010 Wolfgang Howurek