| Michael A. Earl |
| (vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research) |
| 06/17/09 07:59 PM |
|
Re: Need to confirm M51
|
Quote:
there's very little doubt that any swirls that you saw were illusions. It's tough for an inexperienced observer to see the spiral pattern of M51 through an 8-inch scope even in pristine skies. I'd say that it's absolutely out of the question in a light-polluted area.
Absolutely agreed. I barely caught the spiral structure of M51 with my NexStar 11 in a very dark site. Seeing the spirals with an 8-inch in a light polluted sky is improbable.