Observer's Corner for June
Globular clusters contain tens of thousands up to millions of older, Population II stars. They trace their past to the galaxy formation billions of years ago.
The center of globular clusters probably contain a massive black hole.
As our galaxy, the Milky Way, is ready to rise in the summer from the Eastern horizon, part of the galaxy’s structure is high in the evening sky.
This is the HALO. A spiral or barred spiral galaxy has a sphere of globular clusters that swarms around the galaxy central nucleus.
Since the nucleus can be seen in summer evenings, the globular clusters are also is in view.
By Professor Hal Jandorf
To appreciate the beauty of globular clusters, a dark sky with no light pollution and a 6 inch diameter telescope can resolve the larger, brighter globulars.
But my 4 inch diameter refractor, I can visually resolve stars in Omega Centauri and M-13 in Hercules.
Some of my favorites: Omega Centauri, M-13 Hercules, M-22 Sagittarius, M-5 in Serpens, M-3 in Canes Venatici, M-4 in Scorpius.
Omega Centauri and M-3 was imaged with a 4 inch diameter f/7 refractor and a Sony A7 digital camera at 3200 ISO and 2 minutes at Borrego Springs.
M-13 was imaged with a 5 inch f/7 refractor and a Canon Rebel digital camera, 2 minutes at 1000 ISO at Big Bear.
M13 Through a Telescope
OMEGA CENTAURI: R.A. 13h 27 m Dec -47.5 This is HUGE, easily spotted by using binoculars! Unfortunately, it is only 9 degrees above south horizon in June evenings in Ventura area.
Omega Centauri contains 10 million stars, 150 light years across. 16,000 distant.
M-13 in Hercules: R.A. 16h 42m Dec +36.5 Best globular in the northern sky. Diameter 100 LY, Distant 25,000 LY.
There is a dark lane in the shape of a “Y” that can be seen in larger telescopes. A distant galaxy is also in the field of view.
M-3 in Canes Venatici: RA 13h 42m Dec +28.4 32,000 LY Distant.
Can be located by a line between Arcturus (Bootes) an Cor Caroli (Canes Venatici). M-3 is half way on that line.
If you enjoy “OBSERVER’S CORNER”, please let VCAS and Professor Hal Jandorf know.
Positive comments or changes will be extremely appreciated!
