Messier objects

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Messier objects

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1richardbsmith
Edited: Oct 18, 2012, 9:29 pm

I thought it would be a good to have a topic on Messier Objects. Maybe skywatchers could comment on objects when they see them.

I have a copy of Messier's Nebulae & Star Clusters but generally I try to search objects in a particular constellation using NightWatch and Skywatching, and practice finding those objects. Not always are they Messier Objects.

2richardbsmith
Oct 18, 2012, 9:36 pm

Hercules has M13 and M92 - both globular clusters and easy to spot

Lyra has M57 (Ring Nebula) and M56 globular cluster (a bit more difficult to spot than M13 and M92.

Andromeda has M31 (Andromeda galaxy) and M32, which I cannot make out next to Andromeda Galaxy with my telescope.

3richardbsmith
Oct 18, 2012, 10:48 pm

Aquila and Sagitta

M27 the Dumbbell Nebula
M71 hard to spot globular cluster
M11 a small faint open cluster, but it looks like a globular cluster in my scope

I could not find M26

4Yamanekotei
Oct 19, 2012, 12:33 am

Sounds like a sestet you wrote. Love it.

5richardbsmith
Oct 21, 2012, 11:55 pm

A very nice night tonight. I could see all the stars in the Little Dipper and could make out Pisces. For me that is a very clear sky.

I was able to see M29 in Cygnus, and I think I made out M32, one of the companion galaxies to Andromeda.

M36,37, 38 in Auriga.

6richardbsmith
Nov 9, 2012, 11:04 pm

From my yard it is difficult to view the circumpolar constellations with my telescope and it mount. Either they are too straight up, or too low on the tree line. At the best elevations to the East and West they are behind trees and houses.

Not good.

But tonight I located M52. I will keep practicing finding it. The last two nights visibility has been outstanding. I can see all the handle stars in the Little Dipper.

BTW, I try to notice delta Cepheid's variation as a habit. It has been getting brighter the last few days. It is neat to watch.

7richardbsmith
Nov 10, 2012, 12:17 am

I hate objects I cannot find. M1 where art thou?

8richardbsmith
Nov 10, 2012, 11:17 pm

I looked at several I had seen before.

New tonight though was M2 in Aquarius. It is a very impressive globular cluster.

9richardbsmith
Edited: Nov 10, 2012, 11:43 pm

Finally I have spotted M1. I never could see it last year, and I have tried several times this year. And then, there it is. Faint, but right there where it is supposed to be.

Two new objects make for a good night of watching.

10richardbsmith
Dec 2, 2012, 1:46 am

Finally found M33, I think. The Moon was so bright, and this galaxy is very faint. In a couple days the Moon will be down lower. Maybe better conditions to confirm that I did find it.

11richardbsmith
Dec 14, 2012, 2:05 pm

M35 and M41 last night.