APOD - Globular Cluster M15 Deep Field

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2025 November 26
A starfield is shown with thin wisps of gray and red  running through it. In the center is an usual ball -- which  is a globular cluster of stars upon closer inspection.   Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

Globular Cluster M15 Deep Field
Image Credit & Copyright: Alvaro Ibanez Perez

Explanation: Stars, like bees, swarm around the center of bright globular cluster M15. The central ball of over 100,000 stars is a relic from the early years of our Galaxy, and continues to orbit the Milky Way's center. M15, one of about 150 globular clusters remaining, is noted for being easily visible with only binoculars, having at its center one of the densest concentrations of stars known, and containing a high abundance of variable stars and pulsars. The featured image of M15 was taken by combining very long exposures -- 122 hours in all -- and so brings up faint wisps of gas and dust in front of the giant ball of stars. M15 lies about 35,000 light years away toward the constellation of the Winged Horse (Pegasus).

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