How can I tell which Galaxies are high in the sky?

[prova]

Funny title but reason I ask is because I plan to start imaging some galaxies yet I'm trying to find a resource that can tell me based on my location or even broader - Southern Hemisphere which galaxies are high in the sky.

I'd love to have a go at Andromeda but it's always so low in the sky and my location doesn't really accomodate that.

I use Stellarium but that doesn't seem to tell me.

Any help would be appreciated.

:thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Grab a copy of Carte du Ciel, or Starry Night. Either one will give you the elevation of an object at any particular time.

[erick]

You need to search out glenc's threads. Try some of these:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=18551

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=30400

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38820

Some targets off the top of my head:-

NGC 253 in Sculptor - up now
NGC 5128 (Centaurus "A") - a month or two yet
NGC 4945 in Centaurus - ditto
M 104 (Sombrero) in Virgo - early morning target at the moment

[Ric]

You could also have a look at the Astroplanner software. I think it could be what you are looking for from what you have described.

I find it invaluable for that type of planning.

Cheers

[glenc]

On 23/1 the following bright galaxies will be more than 30 deg above the horizon in Canberra at 10pm.
Name Type Mag Size Con
M 77 Galaxy 9.7 7.3'x6.3' Cet
NGC 55 Galaxy 8.4 31.2'x5.9' Scl
NGC 247 Galaxy 9.6 21.0'x5.6' Cet
NGC 253 Galaxy 8.0 26.4'x6.0' Scl
NGC 300 Galaxy 8.8 19.3'x13.3' Scl
NGC 1269 Galaxy 9.4 9.7'x8.4' Eri
NGC 1313 Galaxy 9.8 9.2'x7.2' Ret
NGC 1316 Galaxy 9.4 11.2'x7.7' For
NGC 1553 Galaxy 10.0 5.0'x3.0' Dor
also LMC & SMC.
Some images are at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/dunlop1826/BrightDSOForSouthernObservers#

[peterau]

:hi:Hi Prova,

I image from Canberra as well. Stellarium will tell you which targets are up as well. Not as readily as Carte du Ciel which BTW is also free. I use the latest version of Stellarium (9 beta I think) to plan the night and Carte du Ciel as the plantium software connected to my mount. Which side of Canberra you on?

Peterau (Southside)

[Dennis]

For observation planning, I use SkyTools. (http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html)

From the website, it boasts:

The Observation Planner singles out objects for observation on a particular night, listing the optimum time to observe each.
Nightly Observing List Generator -- auto-generate observing lists for a specific night, location and instrument. Generate lists of showpieces, interesting deep sky objects, interesting solar system objects, well placed NGC/IC, lesser-known objects, interesting red or variable stars, or appealing double/triple stars.
Observing Synopses -- auto-generated for any object. Example: "On this night 6P/d'Arrest is best visible between 20:32 and 22:34, with the optimum view at 22:33. Look for it in Grus, fairly high in the southern sky in complete darkness. ... Use the Ultima 35mm eyepiece for optimum visual detection. It is magnitude 10.5 with a diameter of 5.7'. In the following 30 days this object is detectable visually on October 19-26, with the best view coming on October 19. During this period it will fade rapidly and will reach minimum altitude of 13° on November 6. 6P/d'Arrest will next reach perihelion in late February 2015. It is also predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 10.5 in late February."

Have a look, as SkyTools 3 has just come out – I received it a couple of days ago and it is a very powerful observing tool.

Cheers

Dennis