M53 - The Diadem
A gem-like distant cluster located in Coma Berenices.


  • RA:13:13
  • Dec: 18:10
  • Size: 12.6'
  • Magnitude: 7.7
  • Distance: 56,400 ly
  • Constellation: Coma Berenices
  • Millennium Star Atlas: Vol. II, p. 699
  • Scope: 12.5" Ritchey-Chretien at f/9
  • Autoguider: none
  • Sky conditions: Fair seeing, high winds
  • Film: FLI DM CCD camera
  • Exposure: 16x20 seconds L, 14x60 seconds R,G,B
  • Date: 4-15-02

Very high temperatures and very strong, gusty winds compromised this shot. I deliberately trimmed the exposure times down to 20 seconds per frame to reduce the number of rejects due to varying seeing and the scope bumping around in the wind. At least conditions improved somewhat for the M63 shot following.


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