David Nakamoto wrote:
Should add that, before it gets too low to the horizon (haven't checked
its position lately) try M104; I saw it from suburban skies in the 60s
through a 60mm refractor. A 5 inch should star showing some sign of
the shape of the thing, although the dust lane might require an 8-inch
or larger, and/or darker skies.

I saw the dust lane unmistakably in the C5+ from Lockwood. Given good
seeing (it's smaller, and the dust lane thinner, than you might think)
and dark skies, I think it should be visible in a rather smaller scope.
(The dust lane, that is.)

Brian Tung
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