Location / Date

Zellerndorf, April 2019

Telescope / Mount / Guiding

ASA 10" Astrograph, ASA 3" Wynne-Corrector (focal length 910mm)
ASA DDM60, no Guiding

Camera / Exposure

Moravian G3-16200, Astrodon filters

L 59 x 6min, R 14 x 6min, G 16 x 6min, B 16 x 6min

Total exposure time: 10h 30min

Processing

PixInsight, Fitswork, Photoshop

Notes

Messier 53 (M53 or NGC 5024) is a globular cluster in the constellation Coma Berenices.
The cluster displays various tidal-like features including clumps and ripples around the cluster, and tails along the cluster's orbit in an east-west direction.

NGC 5053 is a globular cluster with relatively low mass and low core concentration.

A tidal bridge-like structure appears to connect M53 with the close, very diffuse neighbor NGC 5053, as well as an envelope surrounding both clusters. These may indicate a dynamic tidal interaction has occurred between the two clusters; a possibly unique occurrence in the Milky Way since there are no known binary clusters within our galaxy.