M3, also known as Messier 3 or NGC 5272, is a breathtaking globular cluster residing in the northern constellation Canes Venatici. Globular clusters are densely packed spheres of hundreds of thousands, even millions, of stars – and M3 is no exception!

Estimated to be a staggering 11.4 billion years old, M3 is a veritable fossil record of our galaxy, containing some of the oldest stars in existence. This ancient cluster boasts over half a million stars, all gravitationally bound in a glittering dance.

The above image is shot at 480mm focal length with 80mm aperture scope. Tracked on an AM5 mount with PHD2 guiding. NINA for imaging and Pixinisght and photoshop for editing.

M3’s grandeur doesn’t stop at its age or stellar population. It’s also one of the brightest globular clusters visible from Earth, even under moderately dark skies. With a good pair of binoculars, M3 appears as a fuzzy patch of light. However, for a truly awe-inspiring view, a telescope is your best bet. Through a telescope, the outer regions of the cluster resolve into individual stars, while the core appears as a dense concentration of light.

A cropped enlarged image of the previous photo, in this image you can see the details of just how many stars there are!

Another fascinating aspect of M3 is its record-breaking number of variable stars. These stars fluctuate in brightness, and M3 holds the title for the most known variable stars within a single globular cluster – a whopping 274! Studying these variable stars helps astronomers understand stellar evolution and the properties of these ancient objects.

So, the next time you’re out under a clear sky, take a moment to seek out M3 in Canes Venatici. This dazzling cluster is a testament to the vastness of time and the beauty of the universe’s building blocks.