What to view in May ?

[Stu Ward]

I think it was mental that used put up some pretty nice challenges.
So what is there to see in may ?

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

You dare raise the DEVIL!

Here you go...

Quasar 3C273, in Virgo. The brightest quasar available to amateur scopes. It's been photographed by one or two IIS members. It isn't an impossible target, but it is a lonely 'star' in a field that lacks particularly bright ones. Should prove a real "put hair on your chest" one, .

Markarian's Chain, in Virgo. This is a 'chain' of brightish galaxies. It is a section of the Virgo group, and the component galaxies include one or two Messier numbers, including the giant M87. How many can you see? Some intrepid fellows have even composed wide field sketches of this curved line of galaxies, using only a 76mm refractor, noting 14 galaxies in the one field. Go on, surprise yourself and satisfy your thirst for galaxies.

Eta Carina & the Homunculous Nebulae, in Carina. Eta Carina is an oldie but a goodie. BUT don't just give it a casual glance. This monster is highly detailed. Chase down the many dark pillars, clusters of young, super hot stars, shock-wave fronts, AND Eta Carina itself. This super giant star is expected to go super nova soon, and its precursor eruptions have created the Homunculous Nebula. You'll need magnification over 100X to begin to make out the lobes. Try to tease out the filamentary details here.

Centaurus. This constellation has so many treasures. Its frontline gems are the globuar cluster Omega Centauri NGC 5139, and the galaxy NGC 5128, and the Alpha Centauri complex. In the midfield there lies the planetary nebula NGC 3918 the Blue Nebula, and the more 'normal' globular NGC 5286. Its backline is formidable, galaxy NGC 5283, the naked eye Coalsack, and the lovely and colourful open cluster NGC 3766. These all present their own challenges. Some are best at high power, others are difficult to find, and others form exciting juxterpositions in size for the same category of objects.

Like more? Just ask.

Mental.

[Stu Ward]

Perfect mate. Thanks so much

Stu

[Nico13 (Ken)]

My wife keeps telling me make a list of things to look at.
That's a pretty good start I reckon.

Thanks Mental.

[Suzy]

How about this mixed bag of goodies ...

M104 (The Sombrero Galaxy) in Virgo, and close by NGC3242 (The Ghost of Jupiter).
These are nice and high at the moment at a nice decent time of the night (around 8.30pm). Both of these are quite awesome, and the latter being an incredibly bright blue colour (bigger than The Blue Planetary even!)- you should even be able to make out a little knob on either side.

NGC 3201, globular cluster in Vela.
A really strange looking gc - looks like someone has blown it apart as it's very loose.

Carbon Stars:
While you're in Hydra, check out V Hydra- it's the reddest known carbon star, very bright and reddish orange- you'll know it when you see it.

Ruby Crucis is another one- blood red but smaller and not as bright. This one is very easy to find, just get beta crucis in the eyepiece and look to the left.

To my eye V Hydra isn't as red as ruby crucis, but they say it is. So why don't you observe them both and compare them!

[Paddy (Patrick)]

In Hydra also Messier 83, and while you're near Eta Carinae, have a look at NGCs 3532 (use low power) and NGC 3293 - two of the skies most stunning open clusters. They should easily cope with the glare of the 'Gong. If you can get to some darker skies, have a look for NGCs4038/4039, the "Antennae" colliding galaxies in Corvus. You won;t ever see the antennae, but you will see the horseshoe shape of the galaxies if you have a scope 8" or larger.

[Suzy]

The Wishing Well Cluster is my favouruite- it fills up the whole fov and quite an awesome site.

Thanks Paddy for the mention of the Antennae galaxies- will add them to my must see list.

Great thread Stu.