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M68 Gloular Cluster (aka. NGC 4590)
Magnitude: 9.67
Distance: Aprox: 33,600 light-years
Constellation: Hydra
Star Count: Aprox 500,000

A globular cluster in the equatorial constellation Hydra. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. A total of 50 variable stars have been identified in this cluster; the first 28 being identified as early as 1919−1920 by American astronomer Harlow Shapley. Most of the variables are of type RR Lyrae, or periodic variables. Six of the variables are of the SX Phoenicis variety, which display short pulsating behavior.

 


Taken 2/19/18 in Chiefland Florida by Russell Kille on a CPC 1100 with Hyperstar @ F2 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera