M5 Serpens; gorgeous cluster.

[cotterless45]

Brrrrr! all you frost lovers!

Arcturus was high in the east this morning, to the left of this were the three stars (head) and a bright star to the tail. Out towards Virgo you'll find the globular cluster M5.This is 30,000 light years away.

I found it with 15x70 bins, a small bright glow. At x60 it still looked small and dense. At x100 it showed a really dense core with sweeps of stars to the north.

With a Barlow at x400 it was exceptional in detail. In the Dob this gave about 30 seconds drift across the fov.

I spent a good 1/4 hour on this, it is a very beautiful cluster and well worth the easy find. You'll be surprised at how much magnification you can throw at it. A quick swing over to the rear of Leo before the clouds rolled in. Clear skies, Nick.

[rory]

Thanks for sharing . Globs have been my fav objects so far.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

M5 is a nice one. M13 was the first DSO I spotted through bins as a teenager, which is why I have a soft spot for them.

[MjrTom]

Nice report Nick, been looking forward to the spring globular clusters but recently the clouds have rolled in from 1am each night so keep missing these along with viewing Mars at a decent elevation

[cotterless45]

Yo, Mars is becoming a spectacular target. We've had some super views at x300, before sweeping over to Virgo and the spring collection.

[SiriusB]

M5's my favorite globular, well worth a visit.

Full marks to cotterless for observing it at that time of night & this time of year.

More of a Summer object for this softie.