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M5, Globular Cluster
Messier 5
Exposure Data
  • Image Field of View: 41.64' x 27.75'
  • Camera Field of View: 74.76' x 49.83'
  • Scope: 130 mm f/8 triplet apochromatic refractor
  • Focal Length: 1,025 mm
  • Focal Ratio: f/8
  • Camera: Modified Canon Digital Rebel XS (1000D)
  • Exposure: (60 minutes total)
    • 10 x 5 min exposures at ISO 1600
    • 3 x 2 min exposures at ISO 1600
    • 2 x 2 min exposures at ISO 400
  • Filter: None
  • SQM: 20.81

Messier 5 is a beautiful large globular cluster located in the constellation of Serpens.

It is thought to be one of the oldest globular clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy with an estimated age of 13 billion years. This means that it must have formed only 200 million years after the Milky Way itself, which is thought to be 13.2 billion years old.

M5 shines at magnitude 5.7 and is located 24,500 light-years away and has an apparent diameter of 23 minutes of arc, which corresponds to a real diameter of 165 light-years in space. It contains between 100,000 and 500,000 stars. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1702.

North is to the top in the above image.

Messier 5
  • Catalogs: M5, NGC 5904
  • Object Type: Globular Cluster
  • Magnitude: 5.7v
  • Size: 23.0'
  • Constellation: Serpens
  • Image Field Centered At:
    • RA: 15h 18m 34s
    • Dec: +02° 04' 53"



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