M53 is a gorgeous globular cluster adorning the spring sky. M53 sits about a degree northeast of 4.3 magnitude Alpha Comae Berenices. The view at 129X in the Starfinder reveals an 8' diameter object. It is noticeably brighter at the core with numerous 13th magnitude stars sprinkled across the field. The triangle of stars to the southeast range in brightness from 9th to 12th magnitude. MegaStar does not plot the bright star located north of the core in my drawing. 9.0 magnitude NGC 5053 is 58' to the southeast. Don't let its integrated magnitude fool you. NGC 5053 is real challenge due to its low surface brightness.