Galaxy #2

toetoe (Peter) · #1 10-03-2005, 09:56 AM

Being only new to this, the smiles on my face just keep on coming knowing that i am going to keep on seeing things for the first time. A few nights ago i saw my 1st Galaxy, NGC2640 sth west of Delta Velorum, have not been able to view it a 2nd time tho, i just can`t find it again.. Last night i saw my 2nd Galaxy NGC5128 nth of Omega Centauri. As i am only using a very small scope using the 10mm eye piece as i have found that the 4mm is just no good (no clarity) i am so happy to be able to view these galaxys, clusters and what ever else i can find as i have had my scope for only 4 weeks now. Both galaxys were nice sized fuzz balls to view but boy, was i over the moon looking at them...

ving (David) · #2 10-03-2005, 10:05 AM

I have spotted that one myself. well done

there is definitely some sense of achievement in finding galaxies isnt there.

you might find the galaxies easier to spot in a bigger EP tho. try a 25mm first to spot them then zoom in.

i dont know how dark your skies are but your 4mm is probably cutting too much light out to get the detail you are after.

rumples riot · #3 10-03-2005, 10:42 AM

I agree with ving, use a large EP, however, I have found that viewing them in a smaller EP just looses some of the light and magic of galaxy hunting.

Still great to see you are viewing these targets. Just remember magnification is not as important with deep sky objects.

rmcpb (Rob) · #4 10-03-2005, 11:17 AM

Is this a case of reverse aperture fever? How many DSOs can Peter see in his little scope. Sounds like a great thread.

Cheers

ving (David) · #5 10-03-2005, 11:22 AM

you know its quite a challenge. I did a similar thing with my 60mm refractor. it's quite amazing what you can see with those lil' things... I was really suprised.

I used to go to the forums at astronomy.com and I started a thread there called "club 60mm" its amazing how many people gave feed back there of the various DSO they had seen in there lil' scopes

toetoe (Peter) · #6 10-03-2005, 12:46 PM

I used the 20mm EP to scout around with until i saw the object in question then went to the 10mm. This is the EP that i use mostly all of the time. 3 weeks ago, work has started on continuing the dead end street which i am on the corner of now and the local council put a new power pole on our nature strip with a very nice bright light on top of it which shines my backyard up. What a bugger... So i guess the 4mm will have some problems with that..

Brendan · #7 10-03-2005, 01:10 PM

im impressed peter, i've got a 150mm reflector and NGC5128 still eludes me, seen it once in a 400mm reflector.
I am inspired to go galaxy hunting to night

Vermin (Tom) · #8 10-03-2005, 01:45 PM

I'll never forget the first time I saw one. I found out later it was NGC55. I just stumbled upon it while scanning around the sky with my 100mm refractor. Wonderful stuff.

I can't wait to see it and NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) with the 16" though!

iceman (Mike) · #9 10-03-2005, 01:55 PM

I'm looking forward to galaxy and planetary neb hunting in the dark skies of Wiruna this weekend!

toetoe (Peter) · #10 10-03-2005, 02:06 PM

I would realy like to see what i have through something a lot better than what i have.. oh well, all in good time..

Striker (Tony) · #11 10-03-2005, 02:42 PM

I agree....the satisfaction of finding galaxies is tremendous.....specialy when you type in the galaxy number and push GOTO......lol....

toetoe (Peter) · #12 10-03-2005, 03:42 PM

Do the LX200`s have a button for coffee????

ving (David) · #13 10-03-2005, 04:51 PM

white n' 2 thnx tony

RAJAH235 · #14 10-03-2005, 11:25 PM

What makes you say that, Peter?

L.

evo · #15 14-03-2005, 10:46 AM

Hi all,

Beautiful night last night in Sydney, though being in the city plenty of light. Thought I'd have my first serious attempt at a Galaxy and tried my hand at finding NGC5128. Absolutely no joy though. Was using a 25mm eyepiece on my 8" reflector, but, alas, no joy.

Kept plugging away at it for about 1/2 hour till my head kept hitting the scope as i was dozing off!

Is it possible to see this galaxy through city lights? Should I be using a larger eyepiece...do larger ones exist?

Any help appreciated!

Kind regards, mike

ving (David) · #16 14-03-2005, 10:58 AM

Hi mike,
I have the same dob and use my 25mm to scan around too. I live in campbelltowns outskirts tho so my skies are probably maginally darker.
I have to admit that when i first tried to find cent a it was dificult. you should be able to see it tho. I dont know what your conditions were like last night but altho the sky was very clear the seeing was really bad with heaps of moisture in the air. I didnt even bother going out to look.

try on a night of good viewing and you should do well

Starkler (Geoff) · #17 14-03-2005, 11:55 AM

Galaxies are the hardest targets of all under light polluted skies.

One of the brightest ones ngc253 is barely detectable from my home due to it being a large one, meaning the light is spread out and masked by the bright sky background.
Smaller tighter ones are easier to see such as M104 and the spindle galaxy.

Use the 25mm to starhop, then increase the mag to view.

I have an observing technique that helps. Wearing a top I pull it up over my head and around the eyepiece to shield all extraneous external light. Hardly elegant but it sure helps!

evo · #18 14-03-2005, 12:01 PM

Great - many thanks Geoff and Ving - will be on the case tonight!

Don't know if I should open up a different thread for this, but how can you tell if the seeing is good or bad. Being a complete novice, is there some control test one can do to determine the seeing? Is there a measurement for seeing?

thanks, mike

ving (David) · #19 14-03-2005, 12:18 PM

thats a good question...

try this link on for an explanation....cloudy nights

evo · #20 14-03-2005, 12:29 PM

Thanks once again Ving. Great article! Not sure I've ever experienced the Airy disk or the associated diffraction patterns of a star, so looks like I'm going to have to settle for pretty crappy seeing here. No matter - it will be all the more special when I do get out to a decent viewing area!