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This value gives the logarithm of the abundance relative to the Sun; the actual proportion is 3.2–4.6% of the solar abundance. Messier 3 is the prototype for the Oosterhoff type I cluster, which is considered "metal-rich". That is, for a globular cluster, Messier 3 has a relatively high abundance of heavier elements. [15]
The Messier objects are a set of 110 astronomical objects catalogued by the French astronomer Charles Messier in his Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d'Étoiles (Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters). Because Messier was interested only in finding comets, he
Messier 38 or M38, also known as NGC 1912 or Starfish Cluster, [4] is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Auriga. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and independently found by Le Gentil in 1749. The open clusters M36 and M37, also discovered by Hodierna, are often grouped together with M38. [5]
At a distance of about 444 light-years, it is among the nearest star clusters to Earth and the nearest Messier object to Earth, being the most obvious star cluster to the naked eye in the night sky. It is also observed to house the reflection nebula NGC 1432, an HII region. [10] Around 2330 BC it marked the vernal point.
Messier described it as, "A cluster of small stars a little below the parallel of γ (Andromedae). In an ordinary telescope of 3 feet one can distinguish the stars." [3] Based on the distance modulus of 8.38, it is about 470 parsecs (1,500 ly) away. [2] For stars ranging from 0.12 to 1 solar mass (M ☉), the cluster has about 400. [5]
Messier 52 or M52, also known as NGC 7654 or the Scorpion Cluster, is an open cluster of stars in the highly northern constellation of Cassiopeia. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1774. [ 3 ] [ a ] It can be seen from Earth under a good night sky with binoculars .
Messier 93 or M93, also known as NGC 2447 or the Critter Cluster, is an open cluster in the modestly southern constellation Puppis, the imagined poop deck of the legendary Argo. Observational history and appearance
The brightest star in the cluster is a red giant, the variable star V11, also known as V1554 Herculis, [16] with an apparent visual magnitude of 11.95. M13 is 22,200 to 25,000 light-years away from Earth, [9] and the globular cluster is one of over one hundred that orbit the center of the Milky Way. [17] [18]