M3
Globular cluster in Canes Venatici

10.1″ f/4.5, Mallincam DS432cTEC
Exposure = 5 sec, Live Stacked frames = 25, Gain = 15 of 250, Whitepoint = 220

M3 is a very brilliant and richly populated globular cluster, appearing about 10 arc minutes across with a bright 2-3 arc minute core. Relatively sparse on the outer edges but rapidly getting concentrated towards the center. Distance is listed at approximately 34,000 light years away and 670 light years across, or about 4 times larger than M13. Stars in this view go down to at least magnitude 16 and dimmer; bright stars in the center give the core a slightly oblong-shaped appearance approximately in the north-south direction.

North at 2 o’clock, East at 11 o’clock