M31 hardcore observers

[Piero]

Clearly, I am not among those observers considering my signature.

After reading members' comments on globular clusters and nebulae located on other galaxies within our local group (mainly M31 and M33) on this page http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/256397-m33-and-ngc604-st-article, I did a little research about what is observable on M31.

Of course, these targets would require sufficiently large apertures to be spotted, but it is still amazing and a nice open mind exercise to think (or see on images ) about other beauties existing out there! 

I came across with this Atlas of the Andromeda Galaxy: http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/ANDROMEDA_Atlas/frames.html .

On the left, if you click on "index 2", you can see the Andromeda galaxy divided by charts. If you click to one of them, you can see a lot of interesting details on that area.

I also found a super mosaic of Andromeda galaxy containing the annotation of many globulars. I post the link as the image is too large (4500x2970). 

http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaicglobs2.html

(Image by Robert Gendler, annotated by Paul Hodge here http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaicglobs.html )

Here is the page with the details of the telescope and imaging equipment used for taking those shots: 

http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/Nighthawk.html..

Owning a similar observatory under those dark skies would be super ...!  

[xtreemchaos]

very interesting,  thanks for the links. clear skys"hopefully".  charl.

[mdstuart]

Piero

These globulars are a challenge..I did G1 with my 10 inch and it felt amazing..I sued a Sue French chart from a magazine.

I then managed G76 which makes up part of a little Cassiopea asterism in my 14 inch....but more recently.....

I managed to spot G73 and G78. I went back to G1 and it was relatively easy in the 16 inch.

The key is having a very good chart and patience or of course goto!

Enjoy

Mark

By the way there are HIII regions which are visible in other galaxies as well so look out for them as they are an amazing thing to look out for..

In fact just buy this book for some other hard core ideas such as Einstein crosses and the like...

Faint Objects and How to Observe Them

 By Brian Cudnik

[laudropb]

Very interesting site. Thanks for the heads up Piero.

[Piero]

Thanks Mark! I added your suggested book to my wishlist.

For now my faint targets are the Messier galaxies. 

A good playground also for learning proper dark adaptation and averted vision. 

[clarkpm4242]

Hi

The Hodge Atlas is a great online resource  

I've observed a couple of dozen globulars in M31 using it and this article  http://www.astronomy-mall.com/Adventures.In.Deep.Space/gcm31.htm

I had an 18" Obsession at the time and observed most from Llyn Brenig in N. Wales.  Must have been about 10 years ago.

Good hunting.

Paul