Sombrero Galaxy M104

[Marko of Oz]

Wow, first time I've found it. Just a faint blur of light in my 6" newt with a 25mm EP. At 50,000,000ly's, that's about the oldest light to reach my eyes that I know of.
Can't wait for my 10" to arrive :D

cheers

[glenc]

Congratulations Mark for finding M104. Try M65-M66 and M83 too.

[Marko of Oz]

The Leo Triplet, (shudder), I've been looking for that for the last week or so with no luck. Maybe M83 is an easier target. Slightly brighter.

cheers.

[merlin8r]

If you have a wide enough field of view, you can get all 3 of the Leo triplet in the eyepiece, truly a sight to behold. And if you can get to dark skies, pretty much any galaxy will blow your socks off, and M104 is at the top of the list. With the 10" you will easily see the dust lane, although averted vision as always gives the best results.

Clear skies,
Shane

[dhumpie]

Hey Mark,

Don't be afraid to pile on the power for the sombrero as it can take it. I have seen the dark lane easy in my 6" f/5 newt from suburbia at magnifications of about 150x.

darren

[erick]

Mark, saw M56 and M66 in 30x binoculars last Friday night - OK, in dark skies at Snake Valley - you'll find them easily with 6" of reflector! :)

[glenc]

Saw M65, M66 and NGC 3628 with 20x80 binoculars from Leyburn last weekend, 3628 was only just but the other two are easy.

[vespine]

That was one of, if not the 1st galaxy I ever managed to find, it was one of the 1st i looked for... Just having a quick look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M104 it's closer to 30 Mly away, not quite 50, but you got the order of magnitude right anyway. :) Have you seen "stargate" just near the sombrero? it's about the coolest asterism in the sky.

[Marko of Oz]

My Starry Night Backyard, V3 I think, says 50Mly, so I guess there's still some controversy there. Suffice it to say, it's a tad further than the corner shop. :)

[glenc]

This list says M104 is 30 Mly too.
http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/galax200.html

[Adrian-H]

ahhh... looking at a galaxy through an eyepeice, in the dead of the slient, cold night, in a peacefull location close to nature.

is one of the most amazing things in my opinion, hahaha

[jjjnettie]

The first time I saw the Sombrero was through AstroSouth's 12.5" dob. Awesome, with that dust lane cutting through it.
I found it later with my 60mm Ebay refractor, a shadow of it's true self, but clearly visible nontheless.
NGC 253, the Silver Coin (sorry Ron), is another one to target.

[Ric]

Hi Mark, the Sombrero is one of those great galaxies that inspires you to hunt for more. Your 10" will really make them stand out.

Cheers