45 minutes, trillions of stars

[John]

I've spent the past 3/4 of an hour cruising the Virgo Galaxy Cluster with my 12 inch dobsonian and 21mm Ethos eyepiece. Using the more detailed map of this area towards the back of the Pocket Sky Atlas I've been able to hop from galaxy to galaxy in this rich area. So far I've definitely identified 25 galaxies (listed below) and half a dozen fainter fuzzy spots that I've not ID'd yet. Great to get a clear dark sky again after quite a spell of poor weather

The list of definites so far:

M59, M60, NGC4638, NGC4660, M58, NGC4564, NGC4568, NGC4567 ( the Siamese Twins), NGC4550, M89, M90, M87 (looked hard for the black hole but no luck !), NGC4478, then onto Markarian's Chain - M84, M86, NGC4387, NGC4458, NGC4438, NGC4435 (The Eyes), NGC4461, NGC4473, NGC4477, NGC 4459, M88 and M91.

Prior to that I had a tour of a dozen or so Leo galaxies so very much a galaxy night so far.

Earlier on I did spend some time on M97 (the Owl nebula) with my O-III filter and re-spotted the 8.6 billion LY's distant Quasar PG 1634+706 in Draco again for good measure.

So far, a pretty good session I'd say

 

[John]

Finished the session off with 3 fine globular clusters resolved deeply with the 13mm Ethos (122x) - Messiers 3, 13 and 92. The field of view was large enough to be able to pick up the galaxy NGC 6207 close to Messier 13 in the sky but a long, long, long way further off of course.

Nice end to a good deep sky session

 

[Paz]

Great report, galaxy season is definitely upon us! I noticed a clear sky when I got home from work, but I've had to keep on working until 2am so no observing! 

[Sunshine]

Nice report, what a hunt, i can't wait for clear skies now.

[David Levi]

Lovely report. I was cruising that area as well. I took ages to reacquaint myself with galaxy hopping from Vindemiatrix and only saw and identified a few of the galaxies. Like you I tried for the black hole in M87 but only saw a reasonably bright fuzzy galaxy. I now realize that if you couldn't see it with your 12" reflector then I stood no chance with my 8". Perhaps better skies or a 14" scope? ?

Edited April 11, 2019 by David Levi

[Whistlin Bob]

52 minutes ago, David Levi said:

 Perhaps better skies or a 14" scope? ?

Tried a 14" in Bortle 5 last night- nope! ? Anyone succeed with a 16"?

[John]

I have the feeling that you need a scope with the aperture of around the size of the Earth to see, or at least detect, the black hole in M87

 

[Eastman]

Great report John, nice list of galaxies.

[niallk]

Brilliant report John  Will have to try for that quasar in Draco!

[Lurcher]

On 11/04/2019 at 00:18, John said:

The list of definites so far:

M59, M60, NGC4638, NGC4660, M58, NGC4564, NGC4568, NGC4567 ( the Siamese Twins), NGC4550, M89, M90, M87 (looked hard for the black hole but no luck !), NGC4478, then onto Markarian's Chain - M84, M86, NGC4387, NGC4458, NGC4438, NGC4435 (The Eyes), NGC4461, NGC4473, NGC4477, NGC 4459, M88 and M91.

Prior to that I had a tour of a dozen or so Leo galaxies so very much a galaxy night so far.

. . . . . and there was me thinking I'd done well last night to see M104 and M87 for the first time!

That's a fantastic list. I'm going to take a copy of your list out with me when I get chance and see how I get on in comparison.

What an excellent night's observing.