Messier Milestone

[Paul73]

I was up early to catch the Jupiter treble transit (failed) and noticed that the southern horizon was clearish. So went hunting for the elusive M83. 15 months after getting my first scope and embarking on the Mr Messier's wonderfull tour across the heavens, this was the only unseen Messier object.

M83 is bright eliptical Galaxy tucked in low under Hydra at about an elevation of about 8°. After getting my bearings with the binos, the star hop from Pi Hydra was pretty straight forward with two straight chains of Mag 10-11 stars showing the way from the nearest bright star. The Galaxy itself had a bright little, almost stellar, core and a faint halo which became pretty clear with averted viewing.

I was dead chuffed to have completed the list with this little gem.

There followed a victory lap of the garden and a few minutes with the Smbrero Galaxy (M104) just above Corvus. The bulging core and big dust lane was clearly on show. One of my favourites!

The triple transit wasn't such a success. I'm unlikely to catch it next time round but reckon that I can live with that. I enjoyed a nice double shadow transit until poor seeing stopped play.

Paul

[steppenwolf]

Excellent result - I admire your perseverance!

[Gazabone]

Congratulations, I would love to complete the Messier list for real, but so far have only succeeded by looking books of the Messier objects.

[swamp thing]

Nice one Paul I'm yet to grab this one myself. It has eluded me for years due to its altitude. One day........

[Mark at Beaufort]

Well done Paul its a great feeling to complete the Messier list especially from the UK with so many low objects.

I noticed that the southern horizon was very clear last night although did not go DSO hunting with the scope but just kept looking at Jupiter.

[Scott]

Nice one Paul I'm yet to grab this one myself. It has eluded me for years due to its altitude. One day........

I saw this in oz but my neck was getting sore with it being so close to the zenith  . Sorry Steve mwahaha

[swamp thing]

I saw this in oz but my neck was getting sore with it being so close to the zenith  . Sorry Steve mwahaha

[FenlandPaul]

Congrats Paul!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[YKSE]

Congratulations   It must have been very dedicative stargazing from you. It took me 10 months more than you to get all the Messiers up here.

[Astro Imp]

Well done Paul, a fine achievement. 

[laudropb]

Well done Paul.i have still got a few to go

[Double Kick Drum]

Congratulations on completing the M-list. Those last few are not easy from Northern latitudes.

Still have a handful to go myself!

[Paul73]

Thanks guys. I have to admit that M6&7 were from France but the rest were all from the back garden.

The Messier list was a great intro for a complete newbie like me as it took me to every part of the sky and made me learn about a huge range of DSOs.

On with the never ending hunt!

Paul

[Mark at Beaufort]

I must admit that my M6 and M7 were seen from Spain. I cannot see them from Hereford or my horizon.

Paul after Messier I went for the Caldwell objects. However, in hindsight I think the Herschel 400 was a more enjoyable experience.

Good viewing with your next list.

[Paul73]

I must admit that my M6 and M7 were seen from Spain. I cannot see them from Hereford or my horizon.

Paul after Messier I went for the Caldwell objects. However, in hindsight I think the Herschel 400 was a more enjoyable experience.

Good viewing with your next list.

Yes. Herschel 400 is underway. Certainly more dificult than a lot of the Messiers, but I am enjoying the challenge and getting to appreciate the faint open clusters.

Paul

[Paul73]

Congratulations on completing the M-list. Those last few are not easy from Northern latitudes.

Still have a handful to go myself!

Martin

6&7 are doable given the right horizen and sky. Andy WB has bagged both from just down the road from me.

I'll keep trying this summer.

Paul

[clarkpm4242]

I'll 2nd the Herschel 400 as the next step.  I used an OMC 140 to bag them after the Messiers.

I seem to remember that it doesn't have the really low objects like M7.

Good hunting

Paul

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great catch and congrats on getting that final Messier. Herschel 400 is another good list, as is the Caldwell list. You will need visits to Oz and South Africa like me to complete the latter (not completed yet)

[clarkpm4242]

How did I forget this!

This is a brilliant list when you have aperture to use

http://messier.seds.org/xtra/similar/rasc-ngc.html

Paul

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

RASC is a very nice list too. A lot of overlap with others, of course

[Paul73]

RASC??

Don't know that one.

Paul

[southernman]

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada ?

[clarkpm4242]

Yes, Canada.  An excellent 'Best Of' list.  They also have a Challenge List..!

[Paul73]

How did I forget this!

This is a brilliant list when you have aperture to use

http://messier.seds.org/xtra/similar/rasc-ngc.html

Paul

Thanks guys. Good list. There are a few of these that I haven't got yet.

Paul