Quote:
Originally Posted by goober
M33 - wasn't expecting to see it after reading how difficult it can be. Easy as easy with binos and dark skies.
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The critical thing to observing M33 is clear dark skies, because it is so diffuse.
I have observed M33 naked eye on 3 occasions under superb observing conditions. Twice from Coonabarabran and once near Emerald in central western QLD, about 300km West of Rockhampton. My most recent naked eye observation of M33 was in mid October last year when we took some visiting US observers to Coonabarabran to observe for a week. We had superb conditions one evening and despite M33 having fairly poor elevation, I was able to observe it naked eye. Several of my observing colleagues were also able to identify it, when I pointed the green laser pointer at it for them. Dave Kriege from Obsession Telescopes was with us on this trip. Dave is a very experienced observer who has observed all over the world, including at altitude on Mauna Kea and at altitude in Chile and Bolivia. Dave commented that the conditions we experienced that night were the best he had ever encountered anywhere in the world, apart from one solitary night at 10,000 feet on Mauna Kea, which has a serious elevation advantage over Coonabarabran.
In October/November when it is well placed, or at least as good as it is going to get, it should be fairly easy with any binocular aid, provided the skies are clear and dark.
Cheers,
John B