Galaxy Hunting

[spudicus]

Hi All,

It's looking like another nice night here so I'm going to have a crack at finding my first Galaxy. Turn left at Orion gives M31 a really high score so I'll go for that one I think.

Here's hoping it stays clear and my hunting skills are up to the challenge. If I get lucky I'll write a report.

Spud

[AndyMac]

Good luck Spud. Gotta say that I find M31 a bit of a disappointment - but light pollution is pretty bad where I am. You should be able to find it without too much difficulty. Also check out the likes of M51, M81 & M82.

[OXO]

Lo Spud,

If you have half decent skies when looking for M31 and you think you have the general direction check ya viewfinder out matey for a Smudge/Glow

Good luck!

James

[Astroman]

I always find M31 dissappointing. It's just too BIG to fit in the EP! You only see about 1/3 of it, unless your FOV is huge. I'd rather go after M81 and 82, especially from the UK.

[OXO]

M31 looks great in my ST102 with a 32mm 2"EP massive field of view but to really appreciate it your need a good pair of binoculars and Dark Skie's still worth a look in ya scope's i reckon.

[spudicus]

I didn't get to see Andromeda tonight. It's just out of my line of sight but it was an excellent evening nonetheless. I managed to find M15 which really impressed me! At low mag it looked really cool. I also spent a great deal of the night naked!!! Have no fear I wasn't 'Tackle Out' it was the naked eye!

It took me ages to find The Great Square as in my book its only 2 inches wide, and I hit one of those mental blocks where I couldn't get my head round the size of something. I found it eventually by mentally firing the arrow of Sagitta Eastward, and then stood there mouth agape, towel on head and skinny legs rooted to the spot as I realised why they call it Great!

I also had a superb moment when a satellite passed through my view of M13. I stood up, looked skyward and just as I said 'Wow' a meteor flashed across my view.

Fantastic nights viewing all in all, and the Bringer of War gets closer by the day...

[daz]

Good for you spud,

All of my neighbours decided to throw the 'lets see who can project the most light from the house' competition.....

stars, what stars??!

[AndyMac]

Glad you has some success & such an enjoyable evening, spud. Here's to many more.