M74

[PhilM]

After a bit of a break (work, clouds, moving to a new area) I'm finally managing to get back into astronomy, with a renewed passion for visual observing - so will hopefully be back on SGL a bit more again. And already having some enjoyable sessions...

I've previously only observed M74 through larger apertures at really dark locations so I reckoned it would be a challenge from home in a 91mm scope. I spent an hour and a half on friday trying every trick in the book but failed to be sure I'd seen it. Tonight, popped my head out, clouds on the way but clear, grabbed scope and within 15 mins there it was, very faint and coming in and out of averted vision, but a quick field sketch and comparison with a DSS image confirmed it. Back inside for a beer and the rest of match of the day

Now that's why I bought I grab and go setup

Phil.

[Andrew*]

Well done, Phil,

tried it tonight myself and had it in teh EP in seconds - dead easy to find but it certainly deserves the name "Phantom" - very faint.

Andrew

[mdstuart]

I found it as well but only just in my 6 inch scope with a dark night..really tough. Try NGC 488 in pices which is also very faint but just possible...