The ultra-dense globular Messier 80 in Scorpius

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Hi everyone, a couple of days ago I grabbed this image of globular cluster Messier 80.

http://www.pbase.com/rolfolsen/image/125267774

This cluster is located 32,600 light years distant in the constellation of Scorpius. It has has undergone a core collapse and is among the densest of all globular clusters. It also features a very high number of blue stragglers due to the high capture and collision rate in its center. The cluster's diameter is about 95 light years and it contains several hundred thousand stars.

Image details:
04/06/2010
377 x 8.5s
Taken with 10" Newtonian f/5.2 and Philips ToUCam Pro SC1 webcam
No filters, no guiding

Hope you enjoy, all comments welcome as usual.

Many regards,
Rolf

[renormalised (Carl)]

Excellent shot, especially being unguided

Virtually a point and shoot affair!!

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Thanks Carl, yes I'm restricted to relatively short exposures until I get some guiding equipment. Looking at buying a proper CCD with internal guiding next year

[Dennis]

You’re producing some wonderful images with such a basic ccd camera, Rolf. I really enjoy seeing how such inexpensive and relatively unsophisticated devices can produce these remarkable results when a determined amateur astronomer decides to push the envelope.

Cheers

Dennis

[bojan]

In my (former) country we used to say : "Battle is not won by shiny weapons but it is won by brave hearts".

Very good shots :-)

[multiweb (Marc)]

Great colors. Very nice shot indeed.

[Lester]

Very nice image Rolf. Thanks for the view.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Sorry about the late reply guys!

Originally Posted by Dennis

You’re producing some wonderful images with such a basic ccd camera, Rolf. I really enjoy seeing how such inexpensive and relatively unsophisticated devices can produce these remarkable results when a determined amateur astronomer decides to push the envelope.

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis, it's always fun to push the gear to the max

Originally Posted by bojan

In my (former) country we used to say : "Battle is not won by shiny weapons but it is won by brave hearts".

Very good shots :-)

Thanks very much

Originally Posted by multiweb

Great colors. Very nice shot indeed.

Thanks Marc

Originally Posted by Lester

Very nice image Rolf. Thanks for the view.

Thank you, glad you liked it

[Hagar (Doug)]

Another wonderfully detailed image Rolf. I can't wait to see what you can achieve when you get guiding happening.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Another wonderfully detailed image Rolf. I can't wait to see what you can achieve when you get guiding happening.

Thank you - yes I can't wait either Looks like I will be able to invest in a proper camera in 2011 though, that'll be exciting.