Waid Observatory

Object: M15
Date: 10/10/2010  -  Location: Denton, TX  -  Telescope: C-14
Camera: QHY8  -  Exposure: 9 frames of 10min. ea.
(QHY8 modified for temperature control and drying system by Deep Space Products).

Click on the image below to view at higher resolution.

  M15 - Globular Cluster in Pegasus

 

M15 (Globular Cluster in Pegasus) 1

Discovered by Jean-Dominique Maraldi in 1746.

M15 is among the most conspicuous of the globular clusters. It lies at a distance of about 33,600 light years from the Earth.  Its linear extension is about 175 light years, and its total visual brightness is 6.2 magnitude.  It is visible using binoculars under dark skies.  M15 is one of the densest of all (globular) star clusters in our Milky Way galaxy.  M15's core has undergone a process of contraction called "core collapse", which is thought to be common in the dynamical evolution of globulars.  Of the 150 known globular clusters within the Milky Way, 21 have been found to contain a collapsed core.  It is postulated a massive black hole may lie at the center of M15's core.

1http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m015.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid