Quote:
Originally Posted by pgc hunter
I think M83 is actually the best example we can see well from here. Most everything else big and bright from our neck of the woods is either barred, edge on, oblique to our line of sight, or just doesn't fit the grand design criteria. Probably the two closest candidates you are looking for are NGC 6744 in Pavo and NGC 2997 in Antlia.
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I've seen NGC 6744 from my backyard, but definitely need to try it from my dark site. I'll also look into NGC 2997.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Startrek
Totally agree Joe
I observed M83 last year down at my South Coast getaway under B3 skies ( no moon ) using my SW 12” Goto dob , Paracorr and Televue 21mm ethos and the views were outstanding. The core and outer arms were so detailed and well resolved.
Being an imager as well as an observer I sometimes image and view the same object on the same night. NexDome Obs with 10” Carbon newt in the backyard and 12” Goto dob in the front Car Bay Area.
Such a rewarding experience in amateur astronomy.
Thanks for posting your experience
Martin
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Happy to post about my experience! My dark site is also B3, which makes views so much better!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimHarbour
M83 is a great target in the 10" from a dark site.
Another one close by it in Hydra worth looking at, although not a spiral is ngc 3242 the "Ghost of Jupiter." A round planetary nebula that gave strong hints of blue when I was able to observe it from a bortle 1 site at Yarrowitch.
It is a bit of a ghost though because the second time I tried to observe it from home (bortle 3) I could not find it, all the while M83 was visible though less detailed.
Happy hunting the night sky.
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I observed NGC 3242 many years ago, I remember it being very bright and detailed, even observing from home, I may have even seen colour. Definitely need to revisit that one.