M-53 (NGC-5024) is a rich globular star cluster located in the constellation of Coma Berenices, about 1 degree NE of the star Alpha Comae. It was discovered by Bode in 1775, and Charles Messier later added it to his catalog as number 54. It Lies approxiately 50,000 light years distant and is 220 light years in diameter.
This image, captured on April 23, 2012, is a 15 minute integration of 30 second exposures through the Celestron C-11 at f/2, using the HyperStar III imaging system and the Starlight Express SXVR-H694C color CCD camera, operating at -10 degrees below ambient temperature and binned 1 X 1. Guided, captured and combined using Maxim DL5 Pro. Post processed using PhotoShop CS2, Gradient XTerminator, StarShrink, Carboni's Astro Tools and NoiseWare.