M13 (Great Hercules Cluster)

Messier 13, also known as the Great Hercules Cluster, is a massive collection of about 300,000 stars located approximately 22,000 light-years away in the constellation Hercules. It is a globular cluster, meaning its stars are tightly bound by gravity, forming a dense, spherical shape. This ancient cluster, over 11 billion years old, offers insight into the early universe. With a diameter of about 145 light-years, it is one of the brightest and most visible globular clusters in the night sky, making it a popular target for astronomers and stargazers alike.