M5 Globular Cluster

Globular clusters are fascinating things, but are extremely difficult to photograph without a tracking mount. I've tried once before with my mirrorless camera and was only able to achieve a smudge.

The exposure time necessary with the mirrorless camera was simply too long for an untracked dobsonian. Since buying a ZWO ASI290MC planetary camera I've been curious if it's sensitive enough to catch a globular cluster.

Tonight M5 and M13 were both available, but M5 was easier to find.

Because I was out experimenting I didn't think to note my exposure settings. Shutter speed was around 100ms and gain was around 400.

I lined up the cluster and took video as it drifted through my view, only a few seconds. I stacked about 50 frames in autostakkert and did some levels adjustments in darktable.

I'm not used to processing deep sky images so I'm sure the post processing on this image was extremely unimpressive, but you have to start somewhere!