M3 (NGC 5272)
Also known as M3 · M 3 · NGC 5272
M3 (NGC 5272) is a globular star cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici, about 32,620 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Globular star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Canes Venatici |
| Position (J2000) | 13h 42m 11s, +28° 22′ |
| Distance | 32,620 light-years (its light set off about 32,620 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 6.39 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 16.2′ × 16.2′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 2,621 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M3 (NGC 5272) is highest in the sky at midnight in April. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 82° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 68°. To see it you need binoculars.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Canes Venatici
- Cocoon Galaxy
- Croc's Eye Galaxy (M94)
- Hockey Stick Galaxy
- M106 (NGC 4258)
- Sunflower Galaxy (M63)
- TON 618
- Whale Galaxy
- Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
Everything in Canes Venatici · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits