Located in the constellation Serpens,
globular cluster M5 is one of the few to show an elliptical
shape. It is believed to be one of the oldest of the globular
clusters, at an age of about 13 billion years. M5 is located
about 23,000 light-years from Earth, and has a diameter of about
130 light-years. This cluster's visual magnitude of 5.8 males it
easy to spot on a clear night with dark skies and a pair of
binoculars. A telescope will resolve the cluster's individual
stars.
