Exposures: 35 minutes each of LRGB (5 min subs) for a total of 4.33 hrs.
M13 is a globular cluster of about 300,000 stars. The Arecibo Message of 1974, containing encoded information about the human race, DNA, atomic numbers, Earth's position, and other information, was beamed towards M13 to allow it to be picked up by potential extraterrestrial civilizations in the cluster. The message will reach the cluster in 25,000 years.
Located 22,200 light years away
Globular star clusters are tightly held together by gravity which remain intact after billions of years. The stars in M13 are thought to be 11 to 12 billion years old.
Two small 15-16 mag galaxies can be seen below the cluster (IC4617) and in the lower left edge of the frame (PGC2088997).
Field of View = 52 x 35 arc minutes
Image reduced to 40% of original size. Click here for full res image
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