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(IAAC) Object: M5 - Instrument: 7x50 binos
Observer: Lew Gramer
Your skills: Intermediate
Date and UT of Observation: 1997-2-9/10, 08:35 UT
Location: Medford, MA, USA (42N)
Site classification: urban
Limiting magnitude: 5.0 (zenith) 4.6 (near object)
Seeing: 3 - medium
Moon up: no
Instrument: 50mm binos
Magnification: 7x
Filters used: None
Object: M5
Category: Globular cluster
Constellation: Ser (Caput)
Data: mag 5.8 size 17'
RA/Dec: 15h19m 02o05'
Description:
The two stars Lambda Ser and bright yellow Alpha Ser conven-
veniently point NE to a fine isosceles triangle of mag. 6-7
stars in SW Serpens (these are 5, 6, and 10 Ser). Globular
cluster M5 was a strikingly OBVIOUS object in 7x50s, just N
of the Nmost star of this trio (5 Ser), in spite of a nasty
dome of light bathing this area of sky. In binoculars, this
mighty globular is actually MORE striking than M13 to the N.
The core of M5 is both larger and brighter than that of M13,
even though the cluster overall appears fainter. (See the M13
"yardstick" observation for this same night). Using averted
vision, a hint of irregularity could be glimpsed in the halo
of stars N and W of the bright core. In overall size M5 is
pretty much the same as M13, appearing about 10' across.