M3 LRGB

M3 LRGB_LS Messier 3 is one of the most outstanding globular clusters to see in our skies containing about a half million stars. This cluster was the first 'original' discovery by Charles Messier on May 3, 1764. Messier did not realize that it was a huge star cluster rather than a fuzzy ball of gas. M3 was first resolved into stars and recognized as a cluster by William Herschel, using his enormous telescope around 1784. This globular is about 33,900 light years away, slightly further away than the center of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. But it still shines very brightly at a luminosity of about 300,000 times that of our sun. While M3, like all globular clusters, is easy to view with a telescope over 4” in diameter and with good viewing conditions. But in areas where there is lots of light pollution, such as Destin, Florida, viewing is tough, even with a larger telescope. Date: 04/21/2009