Galaxies, like buses.

[paul schofield]

Hello SGL, I have loved everything space all my life, but in the 18 months I have been actively into astronomy believe it or not, I have never seen a galaxy. I brought my Revelation 15x70's into work tonight & thought I would have a look around whilst on my break as the sky is lovely and clear, I could not believe it, I found M31, M81 & M82 all in about half an hour observing, Andromeda looked great like a faint fuzzy grey smoke patch about the size of my thumb nail at arms length, probably only the central regions. M81 & M82 even smaller. Wow this has made my day. Sorry I know this will not sound so impressive to most people, but I am over the moon (no pun intended) I just had to share it. Wish I had my scope with me. Happy gazing all.

[John]

Congratulations !

The distance these objects are at makes viewing them, even as faint patches, even more exciting I think.

I reckon the view of M31 with 70mm binoculars is better than viewing it with a scope in some ways

[swamp thing]

On the contrary Paul, there is nothing unimpressive about M31 through 15x70 bins. Fantastic sight.

Regards Steve

[Klesk14]

Ya it's great to look at M31 however I still would like to see it under dark skies like many others do.

I'd like to get out more often and observe, but the light pollution can be a killer. So I'm still excited to see some DSOs like M31 under good conditions!

[Mr Spock]

Wait till you point your scope towards Virgo. Not just buses but London in the rush hour!

[jasonbirder]

Excellent stuff...not picked up M81/M82 with my scope just yet...but looking forward to "bagging" them too

I'm a rank beginner myself...but everything i've read so far seems to say you should be able to pick up a goodly percentage of the messier objects with your 70mm bins...especially if you can find some dark skies...

so good luck hunting!

[todd8137]

hi there and hello m81/m82 are my daughters favorites ,she like m31 but does like those pair binos are great and every one should have a pair bigger the better ,

[andrew63]

Quite a nice way to spend a break!

[staryeyes]

Great find!! I remember when i first found a galaxy, i phoned everyone i knew and told them

[Double Kick Drum]

Three galaxies at the first attempt. A highly productive half hour!

If you can see M82, it is probably worth revisiting Andromeda to see if you can get M32 in the same field of view.

[ScottR]

Cool, can't wait to find my first Galaxy.

[rwilkey]

Well done, I have also found M81/M82 from my light-polluted garden near the centre of town, great objects in my view, keep up the good work and tell us more as you go.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Congratulations! Well done finding those galaxies! Once you have found the first few, things get easier because you know what to expect (up to a point, they do vary in appearance).

Clear skies,

Michael

[paul schofield]

Wow great response. Ha London in rush hour (Virgo) that will be a good night. I am going to try again tonight as, dare I say it the skies here are lovely and clear again. Woops I have gone and said it now. I will see if I can make out any of M32 also. Its amazing the difference a semi dark site makes to viewing. I thought my back garden was fairly dark, but where I work has almost zero street lights, or much local light pollution. Roll on 11 o'clock ish. Cant wait. Happy gazing all.