2 Messier galaxies from Bortle 1

[Wiu-Wiu]

I was finally able to make my way to La Palma to do some stargazing. No covid lockdowns, and also no volcano erupting this time, but the weather wasn't very nice and we were only able to squeeze in 4 nights of observing, all nights forced to drive up to the Roque to get above the clouds. 

There was quite some wind at some moments, but still we were able to do some decent observing. I wrote down over 100 observations and made about 20-30 sketches. 

 

Here are 2 messier galaxies that I was able to sketch on the same night. Same scope, same location and same magnification - so very good to compare them side by side. 

 

Enjoy! 

 

 

Messier 61 is bright and compact, but still shows nice detail in its core. Being a barred spiral it is not always easy to distinguish the arms from the bar. 

 

M83 is much larger in comparison to M61, but also fainter. A LOT of detail here, too. 

One arm is -very faintly- running off to the upper part of the drawing, following the line of stars there. 

 

[Kon]

Fantastic sketches. The views with the 12" under bortle 1 skies must have been amazing!

[Wiu-Wiu]

They were, thank you! I think a 12” there can certainly compete with 16” back home. It’s all about transparency, really. 

[newbie alert]

La Palma.. really must go some day

[niallk]

Superb

[Olli]

Definitely on my bucket list to go there, great sketches!

[BRADLEY 1953]

I have only just found these sketches.  Simply beautiful renditions.