Another 2 off the list!!

[crabbiT Scot]

Hi all,

Well, we had a clear night where I live last night, so I had to take full advantage. I set up my scope around 19:45, bathed my daughter, then headed out around 20:20.

Firstly I took my usual peak at Jupiter, and of course the moon. Next on my list though, and the main reason I went out, were the 2 Messier objects M81 and M82.

I read the instructions in Turn Left at Orion, and sought out the big dipper, which I can find no problem now This is where my problems started!! The book says to have the star Dubhe in my viewfinder, but to be honest, I looked in my viewfinder and had no idea which star was in there!!

I knew roughly where I was going, but with the moon so bright last night, I am guessing viewing conditions could be better??

Well, to cut a long story short, I spent the next 1 hour and 45 minutes, yes that's right, 105 minutes looking about at random stars, cold, frustrated, and feeling generally stupid. I was honestly away to call it a day and head to bed when, as I had once last glance through the scope, I could see what looked like 2 blurry patches of light. You wouldn't believe the smile appearing on my face!!! I focused a little better, and using averted vision, I was sure I had finally found my targets!!! Another dance in the garden hehe. I genuinely thought they looked stunning, especially M82 (the more elongated object???) Having 2 galaxies in my FOV which are 12 million light years from us certainly put me to bed with a smile.

Thanks,

Scott

[MartinB]

Well done Scott, that pair can certainly be a tricky find. Sometimes I can get straight to them with my dob and other times it can take me ages. I've found a Telrad finder is the easiest way.

The sky doesn't give up it's deep sky secrets without a fight which makes the reward so much better when you get there

[crabbiT Scot]

Thanks Martin - it certainly was a fight!! I agree, the rewards are fantastic though

[Nexus 6]

Hi Scott, don't they look a picture! Getting both M81/M82 in the same fov is pretty special.

Alan

[oldfruit]

Hi Scott, well done bagging those 2. They are nice targets to observe, especially as they can be seen in the same field of view. Maybe try for them again when there is no moon and you will probably get an even better view.

[crabbiT Scot]

Yes, I would love to see them with no moon, maybe next time I'll also try and get out to a dark site Can I ask, would a red dot finder be beneficial, as I am struggling identifying which stars I have in my finderscope!! Are there any one people could recommend?

Thanks,

Scott

[Nexus 6]

Hi Scott, I prefer to use an RDF instead of the starfinder on my 925.

Try this one, I have it and its brilliant.

http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/Revelation_Advanced_Red_Dot_Finder.html

Alan

[bish]

Nice one. It does get easier. Nothing like the satisfaction of finding something new -doesn't bother me if it's just a faint smudge. Infact the harder to see it the more sense of achievement I get.

[crabbiT Scot]

The satisfaction was definately there!! I even managed to get the wife to have a look, as she was curious what I had just spent a whole evening looking for lol. I don't think she was particularly impressed, until I told her what she was looking at, then I think she had the wow factor also!!

Now to pick my next target

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice one (two)! M82 is the thinner, more elongated of the two. M81 is brighter. I did get M81, M82 and nearby NGC 3077 in one FOV in my old 6" F/8, and later with the 15x70s from a very dark site in France. With the current level of moonlight that would be hard, but next new moon give it a try. Your scope should be up to it.

[crabbiT Scot]

Nice one (two)! M82 is the thinner, more elongated of the two. M81 is brighter. I did get M81, M82 and nearby NGC 3077 in one FOV in my old 6" F/8, and later with the 15x70s from a very dark site in France. With the current level of moonlight that would be hard, but next new moon give it a try. Your scope should be up to it.

Thanks mate, I'll give it a try

[Daisydoo]

Well done.

I have spent ages trying to locate those two, but have yet to do so.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Well done.

I have spent ages trying to locate those two, but have yet to do so.

They can be tricky, but once you have them, they are easily found again, in my experience. Well worth another try.

[crabbiT Scot]

Well done.

I have spent ages trying to locate those two, but have yet to do so.

It took me ages to find them, but well worth it. Just keep on trying

I am going to try again once the moon has gone, it sure is bright!

What's the bets I can't find them again lol