Globular Cluster M2 in Aquarius

A fine bright globular cluster lying at a distance of 50,000 light years (farther than M13). The diameter is about 150 light years (about 11' visually). The total population of this cluster is probably well over 100,000 stars the brightest of which are red and yellow giants.

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted on Losmandy G11 mount. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Ten 1 minute exposures and five 3 minute exposures. Dark, flat, and bias compensated; aligned and stacked as two sets; background removed and moderate digitaly development in ImagesPlus 2.75 beta 2d. Then made into a High Dynamic Range Image in Photomatix Pro.