Since upgrading from a 10” to a 14” a year and a half ago I have spent some time each dark sky session revisiting and re-sketching some of the showpiece objects that I really enjoyed sketching the first time around, eager for more details and better views. The object I have most looked forward to updating was M82, the galaxy that gave me the most detailed views in my 10” on an incredible night in Jan ‘22. Since then I have not had a night with M82 well placed and the combination of seeing and transparency needed to even replicate the view I had with the 10”, let alone beat it with the upgraded 14”. Finally this March new moon I got the view I’ve been waiting for.
Most of the night was average (above average because of the company, thanks Mirko!). Seeing was good but inconsistent and transparency was below average. By midnight the sky mostly cleared but high clouds on the horizon seemed to reflect light and brighten the sky. Then just before 4:00 am conditions seriously improved. Transparency was much better and the seeing was finally above average.
M82 was already getting low in the sky but was so bright and clear, much better than it had looked at its highest point earlier in the night. Seeing was so good I could use my APM XWA 4.8mm 110 degree eyepiece, which doesn’t get too much time out of the eyepiece case, giving me just over 400x. Even at this magnification M82 was still bright and clear, and seemed to nearly fill the field of view! At this magnification M82 shows so much detail! The starburst regions seem to really stand out against the ragged dust lanes. Such a beautiful galaxy, the view and the chance to sketch it were worth the wait.
Here’s my sketch done at the eyepiece on black paper with white Conte pencil for stars and white pastel applied by brush for the galaxy. Stars are highlighted afterwards with white gel pen.
Thanks for looking!
M82
408x magnification
14” Dobstuff ETT coma corrected to f/5.5
APM XWA 4.8mm
3/9/24, Amboy Crater, CA
Seeing 4/5, Transparency 4/5
Edited by Nightowl99, 26 March 2024 - 12:44 AM.
