Sky ArchiveTonight

Look for M13 in Hercules

Tonight, look for the great M13 star cluster in the constellation Hercules!

Look back at yesterday’s chart if you want to see how to locate the constellation Hercules above the star Vega. Today’s closer view can help you identify the most famous deep-sky object within this constellation. It’s a globular star cluster known as M13 or the Great Cluster in Hercules.

M13 is a densely-packed cluster of hundreds of thousands of stars, more than 25,000 light-years from Earth.

EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store

M13
Photo of M13, the great Hercules globular star cluster, by EarthSky Facebook friend John Giroux of Syracuse, New York. Thank you John!
Scott MacNeill - a member of EarthSky's G+ photo community - caught this shot of M13 on April 19, 2015 from Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, Rhode Island.  Thank you, Scott!
Scott MacNeill – a member of EarthSky’s G+ photo community – caught this shot of M13 on April 19, 2015 from Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Thank you, Scott!
The constellation Hercules adorns the eastern sky on May evenings.
The constellation Hercules can be found in the eastern sky on May evenings.

Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

The chart at the top of this post shows the location of M13. It’s about a third of the distance along a line between the stars Eta and Zeta Hercules. The image above is a fabulous telescopic image of M13. In your sky you’ll see it differently, depending on what instrument you’re using.

To the eye alone, M13 is barely visible. You would need the darkest possible sky – and the best possible conditions – even to glimpse it. But binoculars will pick up the cluster as a hazy spot of light. And a telescope would reveal a glorious cluster of stars – symmetrical in shape – with stars more closely packed at its center.

Globular star clusters such as M13 are thought to be our galaxy’s most ancient inhabitants. Billions of years before our sun formed, the stars of M13 were burning brightly!

Bottom line: Look for the great star cluster in the constellation Hercules tonight! Read more about M13: Great Cluster in Hercules

Donate: Your support means the world to us

Posted 
May 19, 2016
 in 
Sky Archive

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All