· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> Sketching Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 rodelaet Post Laureate Reged: 04/28/06 Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium) M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor.       #3026073 - 04/05/09 04:40 PM Attachment (205 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, offers a pleasing sight in small telescopes. The Whirlpool (NGC 5194) and its small companion, NGC 5195, are an interesting duo. Both show a stellar nucleus and a condensed core. The challenge comes with the observation of the halo of both galaxies. Small scopes offer little contrast. Therefore the eye needs time to discern any features within these halos. Averted vision is mandatory to see where the ‘bridge’ between the two objects is located. The bridge is not visible, but M51’s halo shows an extension on its E side towards NGC 5194. Both objects are 29 million l-y away. NGC 5195 is about as luminous as our own Milky Way, while the Whirlpool is even 3 times brighter! M51 is located at 3,5° SE of Eta Ursae Majoris. Site : Bekkevoort, Belgium ( 51° N ) Date : March 23, 2009 Time : around 22.15 UT Scope : Skywatcher 102/500mm achromatic refractor Eyepiece : Baader Hyperion Zoom at 8mm Magnifiction : 63x FOV: 65’ Filter : none Seeing : 3/5 Transp. : 2/5 Sky brightness : 19.70 magnitudes per square arc second near zenith (SQM reading). Nelm: 5.3 Sketch Orientation: N up, W right. Digital sketch made with Corel Paint Shop Pro X2, based on a raw pencil sketch. Post Extras:       frank5817 Postmaster Reged: 06/13/06 Loc: Illinois Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: rodelaet]       #3026148 - 04/05/09 05:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Rony, Excellent capture, you really pull M-51 in very well with just 4" aperture. Great sketch. Frank Post Extras:       Dr Morbius Post Laureate Reged: 02/06/07 Loc: ManorvilleNY-but not for long Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: frank5817]       #3026283 - 04/05/09 06:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Another nice job there, Rony !! So mysterious !!! Post Extras:       CarlosEH Postmaster Reged: 01/19/05 Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County... Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: Dr Morbius]       #3026475 - 04/05/09 08:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Rony, An excellent observation of M51 using your 4-inch refractor. You have captured the appearance of this face-on spiral galaxy very nicely with the aperture used. The bridge between the galaxy and it's companion requires a larger aperture (>10-12 inches) and dark/steady skies. Thank you for sharing it with us all. Carlos Post Extras:       varmint I invite more abuse Reged: 02/10/07 Loc: Pacifica, CA, USA Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: rodelaet]       #3026853 - 04/06/09 12:03 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Rony, Wonderful rendition of M51. I like how you've mottled the star cloud around M51, looks like you can see some spiral structure there. Post Extras:       TenthEnemy scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 01/21/08 Loc: Maryland Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: varmint]       #3026873 - 04/06/09 12:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is a great sketch, It's as if i'm actually looking through a scope. A very impressive view for a four inch scope, large halo with a hint of spiral structure. Post Extras:       Vincent Becker sage Reged: 09/16/08 Loc: France Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: TenthEnemy]       #3033574 - 04/09/09 07:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Excellent rendering. I was skeptical when I saw your title but you made this very well. Post Extras:       JayinUT I'm not Sleepy Reged: 09/19/08 Loc: Utah Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: Vincent Becker]       #3033747 - 04/09/09 09:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Rony, I really like your capture and your description of your observation. Thank you for sharing. Post Extras:       rodelaet Post Laureate Reged: 04/28/06 Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium) Re: M51, The Whirlpool, with a 4 inch refractor. [Re: rodelaet]       #3034499 - 04/09/09 04:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks everyone for the kind replies. 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