Globular Cluster M3

Globular cluster M3, also known as NGC 5272. This is a really spectacular globular lying in the constellation Canes Venatici. The cluster apparently contains approximately 500,000 stars, and lies about 33,900 light years away from us. The cluster is approximately 8 billion years old and contains mostly old red stars, along with some younger blues stars. The orange star in the upper right of this frame is a double star designated as HR 5145 or SAO 82944