M81 and M82

[SwiMatt]

After few sessions of searching, tonight I finally got for the first time a splendid view of Bode's galaxy and the Cigar galaxy! To commemorate the event, I sketched it in pastels. To make this sketch even more special, while I could barely see what I was doing in the dark (I definitely trusted the process), when I saw it in the light I didn't feel it needed any touch up: the sketch was very close to what I saw in the eyepiece.

I wanna thank all the people who encouraged me in the past few days in my search for these two galaxies, sharing tips and inspiration. You know who you are 😁

[John]

Great sketch and report !!!

M81 and 82 were the first galaxies I ever saw with a scope, even before I found M31. That was a long, long time ago but I still get a thrill to see them again now 🙂

[SwiMatt]

2 minutes ago, John said:

Great sketch and report !!!

M81 and 82 were the first galaxies I ever saw with a scope, even before I found M31. That was a long, long time ago but I still get a thrill to see them again now 🙂

Thanks!

Such a beautiful view for first galaxies For me, even in these amazing skies, I find M31 more impressive in the binoculars than I do in my Mak. M81 and M82 however are spectacular in the eyepiece - a target that I will visit again and again, no doubt!

[Zermelo]

You will never tire of the view of those two, together in the same field.

[bosun21]

1 hour ago, SwiMatt said:

After few sessions of searching, tonight I finally got for the first time a splendid view of Bode's galaxy and the Cigar galaxy! To commemorate the event, I sketched it in pastels. To make this sketch even more special, while I could barely see what I was doing in the dark (I definitely trusted the process), when I saw it in the light I didn't feel it needed any touch up: the sketch was very close to what I saw in the eyepiece.

I wanna thank all the people who encouraged me in the past few days in my search for these two galaxies, sharing tips and inspiration. You know who you are 😁

They say that the first time is the best but I still get a thrill observing these many years later.

[RobertI]

Superb, well done! 👍 M82 can reveal some mottling on good nights so another reason to check up on them regularly. 🙂

[John]

Give M82 the centre stage and a bit more magnification and some interesting knots and rifts start to appear on a dark night 🙂

Sketch by Jeremy Perez:

[lunator]

Very good sketch 😀. You were right to trust the process.

They are a lovely pair of galaxies to observe.

Cheers

Ian