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Date: 03/21/2004 Location: Margate, FL Telescope: - LX200GPS-12U F:6.3 - Camera: ST-10XME/AO7 Exposure: L = R+G+B - R & G = 4 X 5 min. each - B = 6 X 5 min. (All exposures were binned 2 X 2)
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Discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1746. Located in the constellation of Scorpius and at an estimated distance of 7200 light years, M4 is one of the closest globular clusters to the Earth. Under very dark sky conditions, M4 can be detected by naked eye observation. It is easily seen with the aid of binoculars and is very impressive in even small telescopes. M4 would be a very striking object except for interstellar dust and gas between our location and its. This interstellar matter "reddens" and obscures some of the brightness of the cluster and gives it a definite "orange" tint in images. The diameter of the cluster spans an area slightly greater than that of the full moon. This splendid object should be a "must see" for all amateur astronomers. 1http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m004.html
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