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M5
globular cluster in Serpens
M5 is among the oldest and brightest globular clusters in the sky, a rich ball in Serpens that is easy to pick out near a naked-eye star. It is compact and bright with a blazing core and a wide halo of resolved stars.
Save your telescope or lens on the planner to lay your camera frame over this diagram.
// Key facts
- Catalog
- M5
- Type
- globular cluster
- Constellation
- Serpens
- Size
- 23′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 5.6
- Distance
- about 24,500 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- May
- Typical prime months
- Feb to Jul
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Filter
- No filter (broadband)
Pick a saved location or share your device location. Your coordinates are used only to calculate tonight and are not stored. To save locations, use the planner.
How to image M5
- Use 800 to 1,200 mm to give it room without losing the halo.
- Blend in a few short exposures so the dense core does not saturate into a single white blob.
- It reaches a good altitude from most northern sites in late spring and early summer evenings.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which M5 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 1180 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 2110 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 3230 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point M5 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 37° | Workable |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 47° | Workable |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 57° | Workable |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 67° | High in the sky |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 53° | Workable |
Also worth imaging
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