A night of galaxies!

Solanum · #1 09-10-2007, 12:05 AM

Superb clear night here, viewing down to about Mag 5. It's been a couple of weeks since I've had chance to get the scope out so it was a beautiful night for it (if cold). The Small and Large Magellenic clouds were high and bright, with 47 Tuc standing out above the SMC nicely to the naked eye.

Thought I'd have a look for M31, but it was too low to pick with the scope (houses in the way). Got my birdwatching binoculars out (8x40) and could easily see it even in the glow of streetlights. First time since coming to Australia 6 1/2 years ago.

I also decided to have a look for the Sculptor galaxy as it is high and I haven't seen it before. Found it very easy to locate, just scanned between the bottom star of Sculptor (alpha) and the bright star in Cetus (Diphda) and there it was (well after NGC288 which had me worried for a moment). Wow! I was surprised at the size and brightness. Seemed more impressive in my scope than I remember Sombrero being. I need my 25mm eyepiece to fit it all in. Was also clear in my binos.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share my excitement at all these galaxies tonight and show DJVege that you can see galaxies without much aperture.

DJVege · #2 09-10-2007, 08:10 AM

Awesome! Thanks Solanum!

rmcpb (Rob) · #3 09-10-2007, 08:29 AM

Now I'm jealous, again

Cloudy again last night but still no rain!!

§AB · #4 09-10-2007, 10:32 AM

I'm jealous because he lives in Mildura! Not only is the climate 23897545542368945234895623948756923 478569234856239x better than Melbourne's, but pitch dark skies are only a short drive out of town. I know, because I used to hire houseboats on the murray and it was amazing!

Solanum · #5 09-10-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §AB

I'm jealous because he lives in Mildura!

Not often anyone says that to me!

Even in my back yard the skies are pretty good. A little white sky glow to the north-east from Mildura itself, but not much. The Milky Way is clearly visible in detail even when it is in that area of sky. The big plus is the almost total lack of cloud at any time of the year.

In non-astronomy terms there is an obvious downside to that though.....

Alchemy (Clive) · #6 09-10-2007, 07:28 PM

if you could just arrange it to be clear at night

.
Seems as though youve been busy, must be nice to be able to view almost every night. We get about once a week here if were lucky

Bobj · #7 10-10-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solanum

Superb clear night here, viewing down to about Mag 5. It's been a couple of weeks since I've had chance to get the scope out so it was a beautiful night for it (if cold). The Small and Large Magellenic clouds were high and bright, with 47 Tuc standing out above the SMC nicely to the naked eye.

Thought I'd have a look for M31, but it was too low to pick with the scope (houses in the way). Got my birdwatching binoculars out (8x40) and could easily see it even in the glow of streetlights. First time since coming to Australia 6 1/2 years ago.

I also decided to have a look for the Sculptor galaxy as it is high and I haven't seen it before. Found it very easy to locate, just scanned between the bottom star of Sculptor (alpha) and the bright star in Cetus (Diphda) and there it was (well after NGC288 which had me worried for a moment). Wow! I was surprised at the size and brightness. Seemed more impressive in my scope than I remember Sombrero being. I need my 25mm eyepiece to fit it all in. Was also clear in my binos.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share my excitement at all these galaxies tonight and show DJVege that you can see galaxies without much aperture.

Had a squiz last night and I have to agree, NGC 253 is bright. also 'caught' NGC 7331, M31,32 and 33 as well as M110. A clear night and 21deg C, great conditions.