M30

M30 is a compact globular cluster in Capricornus, about 26,100 light-years from Earth. It has undergone core collapse, giving it an extremely dense central region. The cluster spans about 93 light-years and contains several hundred thousand stars estimated to be 12.9 billion years old.

Located about 3.5 degrees southeast of Zeta Capricorni. One of the last Messier objects to rise in autumn. In binoculars it appears as a small, bright fuzzy spot. A 4-inch telescope shows a bright, strongly concentrated core. An 8-inch telescope at high power resolves stars in the outer halo while the core remains an intense blaze. Best observed from August through October; it sets early, so observe soon after dark.

Discovered by Charles Messier on August 3, 1764. He described it as a round nebula without stars. Like M15, it is one of the few globular clusters known to have undergone core collapse.