Question about Andromeda and the like.

[Trickystar1]

Iv made out some of the arms under a dark sky with a 10". Although that only has happened once!

[M4lcs67]

Thanks to you all for your opinions/advice/comments. I must say that the common theme is getting to a dark site. I live about a 2-3 hours drive from Galloway and Kielder. The wife is keen to go as well so might be an opportunity to take the scope in the car, book into a b & b and get out and see for myself.

[hemihaggis]

hi im sure there are great spots to go to in the hill in yorkshire , or high up on the a66 to penrith

[Stu]

Agree with the above. For me it's about a dark site, good contrast and a wide fov. Best view for me has been with 106mm apo and a 31mm nagler, gives about 3.6° field. Detail was subtle still but could really see the full extent of the galaxy.

Stu

[Double Kick Drum]

One of my best observations was M64 with my trusty 5" Heritage.

Same here. It definately had a mottled texture, looking at it from a semi-rural sky.

M82 is the only other galaxy that I have seen clear shape to (that's not a fuzzy circle or ellipse).

I find the best views are multiples like M81, M82 and NGC 3077 in one FOV.