deep-sky
star cluster (globular)
> click above image for full resolution <
Messier 15 (NGC 7078) is a globular cluster containing more than 100.000 stars as well as possibly a central black hole, it is located in the constellation Pegasus. The distance is about 33.000 light years, the cluster has a diameter of about 175 light years. It was discovered in 1746 and included in Charles Messier’s catalogue in 1764.
The age of this cluster is estimated at about 12 billions years.
It is one of the oldest known globular clusters.
M15 also contains Pease 1, the first planetary nebula discovered (in 1928) within a globular cluster. It is not visible in this image though.
At magnitue 6.2 it may reach naked eye visibility under very good (dark) sky conditions.
Other / older versions :
Image information:
Object info
Name: M15
Type: Star cluster (globular)
Constellation: Pegasus
Distance: 33000 ly
Date & location
Date: October 19, 2017
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 1h29m
Camera: SBIG ST-8300M
Optics: Orion Optics SPX 10″ Newton
Mount: Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Image comments
Subpar focus.