Map of the Universe

M3

Globular cluster · Globular cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici

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M3
Picture: NASA, ESA, and A. Sarajedini (Florida Atlantic University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

About M3

M3 is about 33,203 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 33,203 years ago.

It is 39,694 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.

The map lists it as a globular cluster and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.

Key numbers

Distance33,203 light-years (10.18 kpc)
Distance from the Galactic centre39,694 light-years
Galactic coordinatesl = 42.22°, b = +78.71°
Absolute magnitude (V)-8.7
Stellar mass5.01 × 10⁵ suns
Half-light radius11 light-years

Data: Local Volume Database v1.1.1 (Pace 2025).

Where it is

Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Sagittarius–Carina Arm › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.

Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.

From Wikipedia

Messier 3 is a globular cluster located 33.9 thousand light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici. It is one of the largest and brightest globular clusters discovered with around 500,000 stars.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Messier 3, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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