(IAAC) Obj: M 53 (NGC 5024), NGC 5053 - Inst: Brennweite 12.5 inch F/4.1 reflector (handmade)

**anonymous@sedna.atmob.org**

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Observation Poster: Steven H. Yaskell <steven.yaskell@wtnord.net>

Observer: Steven H. Yaskell
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: 
Location of site: Stockholm, Sweden (Lat 59:33, Elev 61m/200ft)
Site classification: Suburban
Sky darkness:  <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing:  <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: Brennweite 12.5 inch F/4.1 reflector (handmade)
Magnification: 25, 40, 80, 100, 158
Filter(s): UCH,Oiii, Deep Sky
Object(s): M 53 (NGC 5024), NGC 5053
Category: Globular cluster.
Class: V
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Data: mag 8  size < 5'
Position: RA 13h:10.5m  DEC +18:c.20
Description:
At all points I see a faint smear 1-3´(across) the roundish shape and glow like
a very dim lamp. Best found by finding a double-triangle asterism to its direct
N and then, on the right side triangle, scanning down a degree or so. I see it
very faintly with 10 x 50 Nikon Lookout II binoculars on a night like tonight,
moon down five days or so ago. Alpha Comae is a few degrees further S, S.E.

Filters UCH and Deep Sky show a tiny bit of definition. Still no outliers but
I get a granular view in this tightly compacted ball. Averted vision reveals
more of this and some small lanes. You know: a sandy texture.

I did NOT see the neighbor NGC 5053, even if at lower power (X25, X40)and with 
a filter/ without, had the object right in the same ocular, to include the pair
a few seconds of arc N. 

Burnham indicated that this globular has one of the lowest luminosities 
recorded.

This object is a bit of a challenge for light polluted skies. It took awhile to
find this. 
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