Higher-resoultion versions:  1280 x 1024  1680 x 1050  1920 x 1200

Object Type: Globular Cluster (Class V)
Constellation: Serpens
Magnitude: 5.6
Size: 23'

M5 is located at a distance of 24,500 light-years, and is one of the larger globular clusters in our galaxy with a diameter of about 165 light-years.

Equipment: Meade 14" LX200R/STL-11000M/Astrodon LRGB filters/Paramount ME
F-ratio: f/9.5
Exposures: LRGB: L 6 x 6 minutes, binned 2x2: R 10 x 6 minutes: G 10 x 6 minutes: B 10 x 6 minutes: RGB binned 3x3
Date: May 31 and June 7, 2008
Location: Landers, California, USA
Technical Notes: Individual exposures were sigma combined. The RGB image was created in Registar 1.0. Smart Sharpen was applied to the luminance image. Noise reduction was applied to both the luminance and RGB images. A copy of the RGB image was combined with the original using Soft Light to enhance color.