NGC 288 (Globular Cluster), 2008-11-01
This is a globular star cluster, although it's a bit atypical for one. A globular star cluster is a "city" of typically hundreds of thousands of stars. Globular clusters typically house very long-lived stars, and are held together by their mutual gravity. They are relatively rare as far as celestial objects go; currently only 158 are known to exist in our home galaxy, the Milky Way. Litebox 15" F/5 Dobsonian, 13mm LVW eyepiece (147x). Anza-Borrego desert, CA.
M13 (Globular Cluster), 04-26-2008
10:45 pm PDT. 15" F/5 Litebox reflector, 8mm LVW (240x). Montebello Open Space Preserve, CA. Seeing: 7/10, Transparency: 3/10 (washed out, Silicon Valley skyglow).
M3 (Globular Cluster), 04-26-2008
10:05 pm PDT. 15" F/5 Litebox reflector, 8mm LVW (240x). Montebello Open Space Preserve, CA. Seeing: 7/10, Transparency: 4/10 (Silicon Valley skyglow).
M53 (Globular Cluster), 04-26-2008
9:00pm-9:25 pm PDT. 15" F/5 Litebox reflector, 8mm LVW (240x). Montebello Open Space Preserve, CA. Seeing: 7/10, Transparency: 4/10 (Silicon Valley skyglow).
M5 (Globular Cluster), 04-26-2008
11:45 pm PDT. 15" F/5 Litebox reflector, 8mm LVW (240x). Montebello Open Space Preserve, CA. Seeing: 7/10, Transparency: 2/10 (haze, Silicon Valley skyglow).
M 22, Globular cluster 07-22-2006
Sagittarius. One of the showpiece globulars in northern skies, second only to M13, and based on my views the same night, even that is debatable. Bright stars in cluster are depicted here a little brighter than in actual view - used a softer pencil than I needed.
NGC 6316, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Mottling visible only with averted vision. Cloudlike appearance with direct vision. Hints of dark nebulosity in field of view.
NGC 6401, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Stellar core...foreground star? Brighter on west side of cluster.
NGC 6355, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Distinct elongation seen in core. Fairly dim and small. Hints of mottling, and stars with averted vision.
NGC 6287, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Mottled with direct vision. Stars resolve with averted vision, but none distinct enough to plot on sketch.
NGC 6235, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Core of cluster had a barred/dual-lobed appearance. Some stars resolved with averted vision.
NGC 6304, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Mottling with direct vision, just beginning to resolve stars with averted vision.
NGC 6325, Globular cluster 08-06-2005
Ophiuchus. Very faint - only mottling with averted vision. Almost merges with nearby Milky Way bakground, seems bigger than it really is.
NGC 6293, Globular cluster 07-30-2005
Ophiuchus. Sketch depicts object maybe a bit brigher than it really is.
NGC 6284, Globular cluster 07-30-2005
Ophiuchus. Cluster should be smaller relative to star field.
M19, Globular cluster 07-30-2005
First-ever sketch of a globular cluster. Ophiuchus.