Viewing Ursa Major Galaxies

[Mark at Beaufort]

Last night was the best for transparency over the last few days. Spring is usually the best time to view the DSOs in Ursa Major so I compiled a list of galaxies, some of which I had not seen before.

The 12" Dob has been outside for days so I was ready to start at 8.30pm. The Altair 80mm finderscope attached and the Interstellarum atlas on a music stand.

I started by viewing C/2017 T2 (Panstarrs) and C/2019 Y4 (Atlas) the latter now brighter than T2. 

Although I have seen M81 and M82 many times I often overlook their companion NGC 3077 so it was good to start my DSOs collection at this point. Throughout the evening session I really only used two EPs - 20mm Myriad and 13mm Ethos and whereas I made a list of previous unseen objects whilst star hopping I came across many other DSOs.

This is the list from last night - NGC 3198, 3938, 2681, 4605, 2985, 3998, 2787, 3718, 3729, 2841, 3738, 3953, 3982, 3990 and M109. 

I must give a mention to a lovely galaxy which I had not seen before which I think was my highlight. NGC 3079 (Phantom Frisbee) which is no.38 in Steve O'Meara's - 'The Secret Deep' book. This is a spectacular edge on galaxy which I recommend viewing.

So a great observing night or should I say week.

[Paul73]

Sounds like a most enjoyable evening. NGC3079 is a new one for me. Hopefully I can give it a go this evening.

Paul

[John]

Great stuff again Mark

I had good fun one night a couple of years back just seeing how many of the galaxies shown in the "bowl" of Ursa Major in the S&T Pocket Sky atlas I could pick up with my 12 inch dob - there are quite a lot !

I think these 100 degree eyepieces are really nice for this task - you can get by with just a couple of focal lengths for a whole session of galaxy hunting !

 

[Mark at Beaufort]

31 minutes ago, Paul73 said:

Sounds like a most enjoyable evening. NGC3079 is a new one for me. Hopefully I can give it a go this evening.

Paul

Yes Paul with your 16" it will be incredible.

[Mark at Beaufort]

5 minutes ago, John said:

I think these 100 degree eyepieces are really nice for this task - you can get by with just a couple of focal lengths for a whole session of galaxy hunting !

 

John I used the 20mm mostly with the 13mm Ethos giving a closer look. 

[Barry-W-Fenner]

Ursa Major is in a bit of an awkward position for me currently. I am almost directly underneath it. Trying to adjust the dob pointing towards the zenith is doing my back in 🙂 

I managed M81 & 82 a couple of nights ago but failed to locate them last nigh. I also tried M101 but had no joy with this either. I ended up packing up after this as I wasn't in the best mindset. I will certainly be up to attempt these again tonight thoug.

 

Baz

[John]

Just now, Barry-W-Fenner said:

Ursa Major is in a bit of an awkward position for me currently. I am almost directly underneath it. Trying to adjust the dob pointing towards the zenith is doing my back in 🙂 

 

 

That's where the term "the dob hole" comes from.

It's a term that can also be applied to your bank balance if you get a bad case of aperture fever and go for something much bigger !

 

 

[Dave1]

Sounds like you had a brilliant session. Wish Ursa Major was more favourable from my observation site.

David

[Barry-W-Fenner]

49 minutes ago, John said:

That's where the term "the dob hole" comes from.

It's a term that can also be applied to your bank balance if you get a bad case of aperture fever and go for something much bigger !

 

 

Thanks for the info John. Looks like this is a known issue for us dob users 🙂  It wont put me off wanting a 12" OO dob next though 🙂 

Hope you are keeping well in these unusual times 🙂

 

Baz