Best Galaxy

[spacebabe]

Can anyone tell me what the best galaxy is to see this month plz?

Claire

[brantuk]

M81/M82 are still obtainable - but it doesn't get properly dark overnight so most galaxies will suffer a lot of wash out from the short nights - probably v.difficult to spot. Use a low power ep to get them both in the fov.

[Glen]

M31 & M33 might be worth having a go, like Brantuk says, the lighter nights don't help at all, not to mention light pollution

HTH

[swamp thing]

Hi Claire

As brantuk says M81/M82 should be do-able, as is M94 (the Crocs eye Galaxy) in Canes Venatici.

M31 is see-able in the early hours but M33 will be very difficult from London as any light pollution washes it straight out.

Good hunting and clear skies.

Regards Steve

[John]

The milky way can look lovely on a dark summer night - that's our galaxy

Otherwise I'd agree with going for M81 and M82 as it's a "2 for 1" deal when you find them. M51 (also Ursa Major) is worth a peek as there is a supernova in it at the moment - it rather faint at mag 12.1 but thats bright for a supernova.

[RikM]

I would say M81 and M82 as well. I found M82 to be the easier of the two with the light nights.

Is the M51 supernova still visible or has it faded yet?

[John]

..Is the M51 supernova still visible or has it faded yet?

Still brightening I believe Rik - mag 12.1 at the moment. I'm going to have a crack at it tonight if the skies stay clear. It was mag 13.6 when I picked it up with my 10" a few weeks back so it should be relatively straightforward - this one has really lingered

[RikM]

Thanks John. I'll have a go at that as well tonight.

[m.tweedy]

use this set to your location and be spoilt for choice

Tonight's Sky Main Page