On Mar 18, 9:37 am, 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.

Anthony.

I saw it in a 15" Obsession (I think) one night and I was struck by
it's blue colour, though that may have been an illusion. Fascinating
to think these things are so far away and odd at the same time. Why
are there no closer quasars?