84 replies to this topic

[Tony Flanders]

I keep going back to the Leo Triplet (I was looking at it five minutes ago) and with my not so dark skies and 8” Dob my experience of 2 out 3 is the same as yours. I’m going to keep looking though.

I recorded NGC 3628 as "not too hard" through my 7-inch Dob at a suburban site where my SQM read 19.4 mpsas (naked-eye limiting magnitude around 5.2). I doubt I could see it in skies much brighter than that. But it's in-your-face obvious under dark skies.

[therealdmt]

I've just managed to see the Leo Triplet (doublet in my case) for the first time! 

 

It took me quite some time to be able to see them. I had to use averted vision, and really let my eyes rest and not focus on what I was "trying" to see, which I found hard at first. 

 

I saw M66 first, and then M65. They both looked like elongated fuzzy light patches that kept going in and out of my vision. No sign of NGC 3628 but that's what I expected. 

 

Thanks to everyone that's helped me with this! 

Congratulations! Sounds like you’re doing great, actually.

 

I also like "The Other Trio in Leo", M95, M96 and M105, under the Lion’s belly, plus there’s also an NGC galaxy right next to M105. And speaking of NGCs in Leo, there is a prominent NGC galaxy under the Lion’s nose (the star Lambda Leonis), NGC 2903.

 

Another pretty easy one (two, really, with the main ‘a’ galaxy and it’s smaller ‘b’ visual companion) to check out is M51 under the end of handle of the Big Dipper. Then farther below, easily located over the middle of Canes Venetici, there is another pretty bright galaxy, M94.

 

Beyond that, there’s the entire happy galaxy hunting grounds of Coma Berenices and the bowl of Virgo.

 

In the fall, M77 in Cetus is one to look out for.

 

Don’t be too greedy, leave a few for the rest of us 

[itsjack]

Thank you!

Yeah a previous post mentioned NGC 2903, and that it was of a similar magnitude to the Leo Triplet. Providing the conditions are good tonight, I'll have another look at the Leo Triplet and then possibly NGC 2903.

M94 is definitely a galaxy I want to see at some point and I think I will he able to see it.

[Diego]

I have very little experience viewing galaxies. Managed to see 104 sombrero with my 6". The LMC is naked eye and with binoculars. Saw the 2 pair in Leo with 20x90 binoculars.

The best so far was the Centaurus A NGC 5128 lenticular galaxy however its a southern hemisphere object. It was through an 80mm refractor at 13x...very bright....a tiny hamburger among the stars from a darkish sky it was awesome

Hopefully I'll finish my 16" dob some day and galaxies and GC are on my list. It's been an ongoing build for 5 years...sometimes it feels like it's an endless project

Edited by Diego, 22 April 2025 - 06:03 PM.

[CHASLX200]

I'm quite new to astronomy, and I've recently enjoyed observing some galaxies with my 6" reflector. The faintest galaxies I have been able to see so far are M81 and M82, and I have additionally seen the andromeda galaxy. As I know galaxy magnitude can be misleading, what galaxies will I be able to see that are similar in difficulty to M81 and M82 with my telescope?

Not many in city skies.  M31-32 and 104 is about it for me.

[Dave Mitsky]

Thank you!

Yeah a previous post mentioned NGC 2903, and that it was of a similar magnitude to the Leo Triplet. Providing the conditions are good tonight, I'll have another look at the Leo Triplet and then possibly NGC 2903.

M94 is definitely a galaxy I want to see at some point and I think I will he able to see it.

NGC 2903 is definitely a possibility.

It’s not often that one can assert that a deep-sky object within a given constellation that’s without a Messier tag can, at the very least, rival one that does. Many observers propose that NGC 2903, a superb spiral galaxy in Leo that’s a major highlight of the spring sky, fits the bill, matching up well to marvellous Messier 66 (NGC 3627) or indeed any of the other galaxies, Messier-designated or otherwise, found in Leo.

https://astronomynow...-messiers-list/

[Dave Mitsky]

There's more on NGC 2903 at https://deepskycorne.../ngc2903.en.php and https://observing.sk...r/NGC_2903.html

Here's a shot of NGC 2903 that was displayed on an outside computer monitor during the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg's April public observing session.

 

https://www.cloudyni...or-observatory/

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[dexx]

Managed to see M104 sombrero with my 6".
The best so far was the Centaurus A NGC 5128 lenticular galaxy however its a southern hemisphere object. It was through an 80mm refractor at 13x...very bright....a tiny hamburger among the stars from a darkish sky it was awesome

Using my 12" Dob, i can just make out M104 from my Bortle 7 home. But to see NGC5128 i have to travel to Bortle 5 or better.

Unfortunately M31 is too low in my sky, if it rises at all.

[Asbytec]

Each type of telescope and it's size will reveal objects according to your sky conditions. For an overall idea of what to look for and how to find them, it's hard to beat the classic "Turn Left At Orion" by Guy Consolmagno and Dan Davis. It will show you what, when and where to look for each one with realistic sketches rather than unrealistic photographs. If you want to consider a modern way of viewing the "dim stuff" then look into a smart telescope. The Seestar S50 has been lots of fun for me.

Good luck! 

 

Stacked_90_NGC 7331_10.0s_IRCUT_20240902-222447.JPEG.

WOW! That is NGC 7331 in SeeStar 50? At first glance I thought it was M31. I've seen NCG 7331 visually in a 6" scope, but not quite that good or easily. 

 

I'll vouch for NGC 2903 and mention NGC 2683 as a must (and can) see. There are a lot of small bright galaxies within reach of a 6" under reasonably dark (Bortle 4ish), clear, and transparent skies. 

Edited by Asbytec, 27 April 2025 - 07:59 AM.

[Dave Mitsky]

I'll vouch for NGC 2903 and mention NGC 2683 as a must (and can) see.

Here's a 35-minute-long Seestar S50 image of NGC 2683 (the UFO Galaxy) that I captured from my red zone home. 
 

https://deepskycorne.../ngc2683.en.php

https://www.constell...alaxy-ngc-2683/

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[Refractor6]

  When it comes to the galaxies having a dark transparent skies sure comes in handy for visual observing with a scope. Back when I lived in Vancouver it was a big challenge to observe even the brightest ones in any of my scopes regardless of aperture. How things change when you move to the dark sky boonies. What was not there using the chart and not in the ep is now staring you in the face under the right conditions in the eyepiece.

 

 Speaking of bright.....after the view of M94 last night in my 152 F/8 refractor it was a easy target to find and certainly one to be on the easy to observe list already mentioned. I'd add NGC2903, M101, M63, M51+NGC5195, M81+M82 and the list goes on and on with many already covered....the quality of the sky conditions is the determining factor for pure visual observing when it comes to galaxy hunting.

Edited by Refractor6, 28 April 2025 - 11:31 AM.

[WillR]

I've just managed to see the Leo Triplet (doublet in my case) for the first time! 

 

It took me quite some time to be able to see them. I had to use averted vision, and really let my eyes rest and not focus on what I was "trying" to see, which I found hard at first. 

 

I saw M66 first, and then M65. They both looked like elongated fuzzy light patches that kept going in and out of my vision. No sign of NGC 3628 but that's what I expected. 

 

Thanks to everyone that's helped me with this! 

This gives us a pretty good idea of your skies. M65 and M66 are some of the brighter Messier galaxies. Given that they were a bit challenging for you, here are some more you should be able to see.

 

1. NGC 2903.

2. Messier 64, the Black-Eye Galaxy. one of the brighter Messiers.

3. M94. Small but bright.

4. M104, the Sombrero.

5. M87, one of the brightest of the Virgo galaxies

[Dave Mitsky]

I captured this 30-mnute-long Seestar S50 image of NGC 2683 from the orange zone Naylor Observatory last night. 

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[Dave Mitsky]

The lenticular galaxy NGC 3115 (the Spindle Galaxy) in Sextans is another fairly easy target.

https://observing.sk...r/NGC_3115.html
 
https://deepskycorne.../ngc3115.en.php

Here's a 34-minute-long Seestar S50 image of NGC 3115 from last night.

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Edited by Dave Mitsky, 29 April 2025 - 01:12 AM.

[Asbytec]

The lenticular galaxy NGC 3115 (the Spindle Galaxy) in Sextans is another fairly easy target.

https://observing.sk...r/NGC_3115.html

 

https://deepskycorne.../ngc3115.en.php

Here's a minute-long Seestar S50 image of NGC 3115 from last night.

SeeStar 50 is impressive!

 

Yes, NGC 3115 is another striking galaxy. Very bright. 

 

 

NGC 2683 is a nice galaxy. One of my most striking observations in Bortle 4ish skies. It has a massive dust lane complex, and I wanted to see it. I failed, but I noticed the spindle was mottled. When I went inside to confirm my observation, I was shocked to realize the mottled spindle must have been from the dust lanes crossing the spindle. So, I guess I did see the dust lane, but not in the way I expected. 

 

Another one maybe overlooked near M77 is NGC 1055. Small and fairly bright, as I recall, but with a prominent dust lane. It should be with reach of a 6" under Bortle 4ish skies around 100x or so. 

Edited by Asbytec, 28 April 2025 - 07:22 PM.

[scout]

I was surprised when I could see M94 last night through my little AT72EDII refractor from my Bortle 6-7 backyard. I know the galaxy is relatively bright, but I didn't consider a 72mm telescope as a galaxy spotter in a mediocre suburban sky. The refractor has superb contrast, so I guess that gives the tiny aperture a boost. 

Edited by scout, 02 May 2025 - 01:17 AM.

[Fingolfin]

Good going.. I love galaxy hunting too. With my 1st dob, an 8in, I was stuck for a while with M81 and M82, and of course, Andromeda when it rises. I believe I also caught M101 also.

I had to settle for nebula and globular cluster hunting when I ran out of galaxies to find. 

Do you enjoy those DSO also?

 

Anyways, you got great advice from all the people out here, so keep following that and you'll be good

[kingsbishop]

Biggest mistake to do as a beginner, judge the brightness of a galaxy by the visual magnitude

I make that mistake myself and wondered why I couldn’t see Triangulum Galaxy even though the visual magnitude is quite bright for a galaxy

If you want to know the brightness of a galaxy look at the magnitudes per square arc second (MPSAS) and that will give you a better idea of what’s the brightest

Ofc there are really small galaxies and that is when visual magnitude can come into play but anything bigger use MPSAS

If you want to know some galaxies with bright MPSAS (bright galaxies) Sombrero galaxy (M101) is one of the brightest and M83 (Southern Pinwheel galaxy) is bright too but not as bright as Sombrero

[itsjack]

Hi Fingolfin,

To answer your question, I do like looking at all kinds of DSO's. I enjoyed the Orion Nebula in the winter, but there hasn't been many other nebula to look at recently.

Globular clusters are easy to pick out, I recently looked at M13 and managed to resolve a few faint stars in it, which was good to see.

Open Clusters may be my favourite however, seeing so many different stars (varying in colour and size) is very cool, and I've enjoyed recently sketching the Beehive Cluster in Cancer.

[Tony Flanders]

I was surprised when I could see M94 last night through my little AT72EDII refractor from my Bortle 6-7 backyard. I know the galaxy is relatively bright, but I didn't consider a 72mm telescope as a galaxy spotter in a mediocre suburban sky. The refractor has superb contrast, so I guess that gives the tiny aperture a boost. 

The refractor's high contrast no doubt helps a smidge, but only a smidge. A scope's galaxy capabilities depend almost entirely on its aperture, more so than any other class of object.

 

As always, I'm not quite sure what Bortle 6-7 is supposed to mean; the most obvious question is whether the summer Milky Way is visible on a good night. If so, you should be able to spot all the Messier objects through your scope, though about 1/3 of them are likely to prove pretty challenging.

 

Even if you can't see the Milky Way, a 72-mm refractor should be able to show quite a lot of galaxies without too much effort on your part -- unless your skies are much worse than Bortle 7. In addition to M94, certainly M63, M81, M82, M66, M65, M51, M87, M49, M64, and (of course) M31 and M32.

[AnthonyII]

Hello everyone, I'm not sure which are easiest to observe. As for me I am only just now planning to observe Ursa Major (The Great Bear) Constellation. I plain on spending some time getting familiar with my AD8, from what appears to be bortle 6-7 sky's. This constellation has doubles, galaxies and nebula. And it is viewable out my back door for easy set up. I may take the AD8 to darker sky's about 7 miles north but really need to just spend time here learning the basics and see what all the eyepieces do. I somehow ended up with a Svbony UHC filter, maybe it will be handy for the owl nebula, if it is dark enough here? But this will be where I start my adventure past the planets, easy to find and the book " Turn Left at Orion" has plenty of maps and charts to lead me on. Im not sure about the bortle sky number here as some times it is darker and clearer, and the online info seems to suggest I may be between 5-7 bortle skys, I'm really not sure. If it is not dark enough I will have to take it on the road. Here is a link to a web page with all the info on the constellations I been reading, happy clear skies everyone      https://theskylive.c...r-constellation

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

I'm quite new to astronomy, and I've recently enjoyed observing some galaxies with my 6" reflector. The faintest galaxies I have been able to see so far are M81 and M82, and I have additionally seen the andromeda galaxy. As I know galaxy magnitude can be misleading, what galaxies will I be able to see that are similar in difficulty to M81 and M82 with my telescope?

Simulair to M81 & M82 (these are allready one of the brightest galaxies) are: (Seen from the northern hemisphere)

(Allready seen:)
1. M31 / Andromeda Galaxy    Magnitude: 3.44 / surface brightness: 13.3

(+ 41 in Andromeda)      Size: 190 x 60' (11.400')

2. NGC 4631 / Whale Galaxy  Mag: 9.8 / SB: 12.5
(+32 in Canes Venatici)  Size: 15′.5 × 2′.7 (41.9')

3. M51 / Whirlpool Galaxy  Mag: 8.4 / SB: 12.7
(+ 47 in Canes Venatici)      Size: 11.2′ × 6.9' (77.3')

4. M94 / Cat's Eye.  Mag: 8.2 / SB: 12.9
(+ 41 in Canes Venatici)   Size: 11.2' × 9.1' (101.9')

5. NGC 4490 & NGC 4485   Mag:9.8 & 11.9/ SB: 12.2 & 11.8
(+41 in Canes Venatici) (Interaction galaxies)   Size: 6.3 × 3.1′ & 2 X 1.3'

6. M64 / Black Eye Galaxy   Mag: 8,5 / SB: 12.4
(+21 in Coma Bernices)      Size: 10.7 × 5.1' (54.6')

7. M65, M66 & NGC 3628 / Leo Triplet (Cijfer: 7.0)
Mag: 9.3/ SB: 12.4 & 8.9 / 12.6 & 9.5 / 12.8  (+13/+12/+13 in Leo)
Size 8.7 × 2.4' & 9.1 × 4.2' & 14 × 3.6'

(Allready seen:)
8. M81 & M82 (Bode's Galaxy  & Cigar Galaxy)    Mag: 6.9 / SB: 13.1 & 8.4 / 12.3
(+ 69 in Ursa Major)     Size: 26.9 × 14.1 (379') & 11.2′ × 4.3' (48.2')

9. M104 / Sombrero Galaxy   Mag: 8.0 / SB: 11.4
(- 11 in Virgo)     Size: 9 × 4′ (36')

...Maybe a few others, but not much more....

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

Biggest mistake to do as a beginner, judge the brightness of a galaxy by the visual magnitude

I make that mistake myself and wondered why I couldn’t see Triangulum Galaxy even though the visual magnitude is quite bright for a galaxy

If you want to know the brightness of a galaxy look at the magnitudes per square arc second (MPSAS) and that will give you a better idea of what’s the brightest

Ofc there are really small galaxies and that is when visual magnitude can come into play but anything bigger use MPSAS

If you want to know some galaxies with bright MPSAS (bright galaxies) Sombrero galaxy (M101) is one of the brightest and M83 (Southern Pinwheel galaxy) is bright too but not as bright as Sombrero

I made this mistake too (looking at visual/apparent magnitude).
Surface Brightness was allready better but not perfect, because the bigger objects (with the same SB) are much easier to see than the smaller objects. 

[Tony Flanders]

Hello everyone, I'm not sure which are easiest to observe. As for me I am only just now planning to observe Ursa Major (The Great Bear) Constellation.

Ooh, that's a rough place to start! Newbies often pick the Big Dipper because it's easy to recognize, and there are two galaxies and one planetary nebula right along its stick figure. But all of those are comfortably within the hardest half of the Messier objects. M109 is likely to prove particularly challenging.

Ursa Major is a treasure-trove of galaxies for experienced observers under dark skies. But the only ones readily visible to newbies from typical suburban backyards are M81 and M82, which have the disadvantage of being quite far from the Big Dipper. M51 is next-easiest, but it technically lies in Canes Venatici rather than Ursa Major.

[WillR]

I was surprised when I could see M94 last night through my little AT72EDII refractor from my Bortle 6-7 backyard. I know the galaxy is relatively bright, but I didn't consider a 72mm telescope as a galaxy spotter in a mediocre suburban sky. The refractor has superb contrast, so I guess that gives the tiny aperture a boost. 

The other night, from my Bortle 4/5 yard with my 10”, and after several nights of hunting down galaxies from various lists, that ranged from a faint smudge with a core and halo to very faint smudge to “Is there something there if I jiggle the scope?”, I wandered over to M94 for the first time in a year or so. It was like a search light! I had forgotten just how bright it is.