M51, I think...

David, 104 is not only is it getting low, but it's not the easiest
galaxy to find for a newbie, unless he already knows about the
'stargate'and 4 star arrow asterisms that points toward the galaxy in
Corvus.
I would suggest and easier "DSO" for a newbie to find...say, globular
cluster M-4 just one degree west of Antares.
OR a brighter one, M-80, about halfway between Antares and Beta Scorpii.
FWIW,
Tom W.



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.

If you think so, and if it is getting low then that's that. I found it as a
newbie
a long time ago however, as I recall by going a certain distance off the
Northeast
corner of Corvus and scanning. It was luckly bright enough to pick up, with
patience.

--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Never be afraid of trying something new for the love of it.
Remember... amateurs built the Ark.
Professionals built the Titanic!


----------------------------------------------------------------------

"bwhiting" wrote in message
...
David, 104 is not only is it getting low, but it's not the easiest
galaxy to find for a newbie, unless he already knows about the
'stargate'and 4 star arrow asterisms that points toward the galaxy in
Corvus.
I would suggest and easier "DSO" for a newbie to find...say, globular
cluster M-4 just one degree west of Antares.
OR a brighter one, M-80, about halfway between Antares and Beta Scorpii.
FWIW,
Tom W.



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.

.so you search and search...sometimes
you hit it lucky...sometimes you don't....those have to be, by far,
the *toughest* of the Messier objects to locate just by eyeball (telrad)
'sighting'.

I hate them. But love to see them, especially 82
at ultra high powers.

Yeah, M82 is a favorite of mine too.

Plus you probably need 6.5 mag skies to see the stupid triangle. If anyone
has any easy way of sighting in on this duo, I would certainly appreciate any
help in this regard.

For whatever it's worth:

I most often use an 8x50 finder starting from 23 Ursa Major. Traveling about
4.5 degrees past 23 UM on a line from 29 UM there is a 3 star group. When I
find that, I move 4.5 degrees parallel to a line between 23 UM (and towards)
Dubhe and that puts me pretty close. With a Telrad I think one just sort of
points it and knows where it is....

This is what works for me and I can most often find them under the 3.5 skies
that are about the best I have at home. In my experience Telrads work nicely
in dark skies but magnifying finders are a necessity when when light pollution
is a problem. I find having both is the best for me.

jon isaacs

Jon,
I have both also....Meade 9 x 60 visual finder...but have a
real hard time seeing 81, 82 at age 61 up thru that finder,
unless in real dark skies.
Tom W.




Jon Isaacs wrote:
.so you search and search...sometimes
you hit it lucky...sometimes you don't....those have to be, by far,
the *toughest* of the Messier objects to locate just by eyeball (telrad)
'sighting'.


I hate them. But love to see them, especially 82
at ultra high powers.


Yeah, M82 is a favorite of mine too.


Plus you probably need 6.5 mag skies to see the stupid triangle. If anyone

has any easy way of sighting in on this duo, I would certainly appreciate any
help in this regard.

For whatever it's worth:

I most often use an 8x50 finder starting from 23 Ursa Major. Traveling about
4.5 degrees past 23 UM on a line from 29 UM there is a 3 star group. When I
find that, I move 4.5 degrees parallel to a line between 23 UM (and towards)
Dubhe and that puts me pretty close. With a Telrad I think one just sort of
points it and knows where it is....

This is what works for me and I can most often find them under the 3.5 skies
that are about the best I have at home. In my experience Telrads work nicely
in dark skies but magnifying finders are a necessity when when light pollution
is a problem. I find having both is the best for me.

jon isaacs