Finding galaxys

[yoda]

Hi all tryed to find Bode's nebula lastnight looked on stellarium to find it and I still coud'nt any hints or tips will be great thank's alot Andy

[Mr Spock]

When you do a search, type in M81. Stellarium should take you straight to it. You will need to zoom into it to see it though.

[yoda]

Hi Mr spock I found it on stellarium but not in my scope mate.

[Mr Spock]

You should be able to see it with your 10x50s. Look at Ursa Major, follow a line from the stars Phad and Dubhe, M81 is on that line at the same distance from Dubhe as the two stars have from each other.

[yoda]

It's must be me then I must be doing something wrong thank's alot matey. I'll have anuther go tonight, clear skys hear.

[Doc]

It's only easy if you know where to look. Took me ages first time, now I go straight there.

You might struggle if your light pollution is bad, so get what I do is the following.

1. Set up Stellarium near your scope.

2. Orientate the view in Stellarium until it matches the view through your eyepiece.

3. Now star hop by comparing the view of Stellarium to that of your eyepiece.

With a bit of practice it's quite easy and I've found loads of planetaries and galaxies this way.

[yoda]

I'll give that a go thank's alot Doc and Mr spock.

[nightfisher]

i tend to search with my bins first, once i find what im looking for its easier to locate with scope

[yoda]

Back after trying to find Bode's nebula found it a small fuzzy smudge even with the 10mm EP can one of you guys confirm this I followd Mr spocks directions phad and dubhe and head north at about the same distance thanks alot andy.

[ollypenrice]

Don't expect too much! Faint smudge sounds about right...

Olly

[yoda]

Expections are not to hight on DSO's but I am hopeing for some good views of saturn later on tonight thanks alot olly.

[Doug]

Hi Andy

Mr Spock is spot on and with a 250mm Dob you should see it but even if it looks clear

some time there is hays in the sky that stops you and if it's windy, just keep tring mate you get there

Doug

Essex

[yoda]

Hi Duge its only my third night out so I have alot to learn, it all takes time and practice thank's alot matey.