How far can one see with a simple pair of binoculars? One way to find out is to go hunting in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies. The Virgo Cluster lies 60 million light years away. At least four galaxies can be framed in the same field of view. Let’s start at Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis). From there it’s a 5° star hop to the west and a little to the south, until Rho Virginis pops into view. Rho is very easy to recognize, as it is the only bright star in the fov and it is surrounded by three fainter stars. Our first target is M60, a small smudge of light, 1° north of Rho Virginis. Our next target is the giant galaxy, M87. Return back to Rho, and sweep 2° to the west, until 20 Virginis is centered in the field of view. M87 can be found 2° north of 20 Vir. M87 looks like a small star out of focus and lies next to a faint star. With patience, the core of M87 looks stellar to me. Now shift your gaze 1° to the west of M87. Two faint minute spots of light, M86 and M84, can be found if you observe with care. Now you can try to keep these four galaxies in the same field of view, as shown in the sketch below. The brightest star is Rho Vir.

Before you leave the Virgo Cluster, try to find M49. Return to 20 Vir and look 2° south for M49. M49 and M87 can also be kept in the same field of view together with 20 Vir.
Have fun!

Site : Bischofshofen, Austria
Date : May 3, 2008
Time : around 21.30UT
Binoculars : Bresser 8x56
FOV: 5.9°
Filter : none
Mount : Trico Machine Sky Window
Seeing : 3/5
Transp. : 4/5
Nelm : 6.0
Sketch Orientation : N up, W right.
Digital sketch made with PhotoPaint, based on a raw pencil sketch.

(You may need to adjust your monitor settings in order to see all of the four galaxies.)