Trouble seeing M1

[Ronseal]

I've been trying the last couple of clear nights to catch some messier objects, bagged a few but cannot see M1 through my 15x70's

All I can guess is that its light pollution from streetlights and/or not totally clear skies (high whispy cloud) - is this a particularly difficult spot through 15x70's?

I had a glimpse with averted vision but not claiming it until I've properly seen a smudge as I may have been imagining it

[Taff]

Hi' I never tried looking for M1 with 15x70s bins.But the light poll or light cloud won't help you.If you can move to a darker area with no light poll and a clear night and give it a go.Mark

[Nexus 6]

M1 is a bit tricky to spot on the best of nights many people have found it a difficult target, when you do see it you will understand why you have missed it before. That was my assumption after a few missed attempts. As Taff mentions, a decent location will really help.

Alan

[BinocularSky]

All I can guess is that its light pollution from streetlights and/or not totally clear skies (high whispy cloud) - is this a particularly difficult spot through 15x70's?

It's not particularly difficult in 15x70 (I can see it in 10x42), but it is very difficult in the conditions that you describe -- it may well be dimmer than your skyglow, in which case it will be impossible without an LPR filter and even then it may not be possible.

[mdstuart]

I can make it out in my 20 x 80s in mag 4.5 skies but its pretty near the limit of direct vision.

Keep trying.

Mark

[Tim]

From here in the Midlands it is only just visible through my C9.25 without filters, not a chance with my 15x70's I dont think Good job for cameras

[andrew63]

It's not so much a question of equipment - i've seen it in my small ETX90 with 26mm eyepiece, but its its low contrast, you really need CLEAR SKIES!!

andrew

[ollypenrice]

Sir PM says you can see it 10x50s but despite a pristine sky I never manage to do so. Don't know why. Maybe I don't hold them still enough because I have seen it in a 10x5o finder. Well, when I say 'seen' it might be 'sensed' more like...

Olly

[russ]

Sir PM says you can see it 10x50s but despite a pristine sky I never manage to do so. Don't know why. Maybe I don't hold them still enough because I have seen it in a 10x5o finder. Well, when I say 'seen' it might be 'sensed' more like...

Olly

I don't know about 10x50 but we picked it up easily with 15x70 from our dark site.

But from the backgarden in moderate to poor light pollution it's a completely different ball game. See it no problem with the 12" but the view was only as good as a 3.5" from the dark site. What a difference a good sky makes.