On Mar 18, 2:37 pm, Anthony Ayiomamitis
wrote:
Dear Friends,

The quasar 3C273 in Virgo is the brightest visible quasar from Earth and
with a magnitude of 12.8 is also visible with average amateur equipment.
Lying at a distance of two BILLION light-years away, it is the furthest
any amateur equipment can reach (and especially right from one's backyard).

Further details including an image are available athttp://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-QSO-3C273.htm.

It is a great shot. Unfortunately your diffraction spikes line up with
where the jet might hope to be seen (roughly diametrically oppposite
the fainter of the two close in stars. I suspect it may be beyond
impossible for amateur kit to capture by it might be interesting to
try for...

eg http://www.astr.ua.edu/keel/agn/3c273.html

Regards,
Martin Brown