SwampStar Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 After being blown away by the planets and my first Messier not long ago, I'm planning on spotting my first galaxy tonight.Forecast looks good and if it's as clear as last night, I'll be gutted not to see any!Any tips of where to start, or which are the 'easiest' to see?Cheers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perrin6 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 M81 & M82 in Ursa Major almost overhead and M65,66 in Leo, M64-the black eye galaxy in Coma Berenices and M63 the sunflower in Canes Venatici are all fairly bright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Easiest to find; NGC 2903 (Leo), M94 (Com), M51 (Com) - the Whirlpool galaxy and M109 (UMa, not so easy to see).Easiest to see; M81 and M82 (UMa), M65 and M66 (Leo), M64 (Com) and M104 (Vir) - the Sombrero galaxy (if you have a good Southern horizon).Happy hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampStar Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Thanks...Heading out soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 I just spent about an hour observing the triplet in Leo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampStar Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Well, so far...Next door (to the left) have got their conservatory lights on...T'other side have got security light on...Might spend half an hour with Pleiades and come back to it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_j_lyons Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Good luck...lots of bright galaxies available this time of year.Happy hunting.Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampStar Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 After all that, I didn't see ANY galaxies at all.Well, I might have done, but I'm not really sure. I think the LP in my garden is more than I thought!However, I did see Pleiades (plus the shooting star!) and a cracking little double star just to the left of Vega.Will have to find somewhere a bit darker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bat502 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Good luck...lots of bright galaxies available this time of year.Happy hunting.Sent from my Xoom using TapatalkJust got myself a Skywatcher Explorer 130P Telescope, please advise what bright galaxies I would see this time of year as I am new to astronomy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdstuart Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 That is the double double you saw in Lyra.On the galaxy front do try M31 low down to the West early evening and then I would try M94 which is relatively easy to find and has a bright core..M81/82 are brighter but are harder to locate..Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rory Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 yep, got to agree with the others, most have been ultra faint in my small scope ,but m81/82 do stand out well. can be troublesome to find , but worth the effort.happy hunting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bat502 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Thanks, much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_j_lyons Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Wow, the list is long this time of year...m65, m66, m95, m96, m105, ngc2903....just to throw out a few. Key thing is to be patient and not get frustrated...the longer you do it the more you'll see.Happy hunting.Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bat502 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Wow, the list is long this time of year...m65, m66, m95, m96, m105, ngc2903....just to throw out a few. Key thing is to be patient and not get frustrated...the longer you do it the more you'll see.Happy hunting.Sent from my Xoom using TapatalkYou`re a gent thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.