M31 when is it at it's highest

leon · #1 30-11-2007, 01:04 PM

High guys,

I don't have much of a North, North/West of a horizon and really want to have a go at M31, so I was wondering if some one could tell me when this object would be at it's highest altitude for this time of the year, at my location of,
37 : 34 South and 143 : 52 East.

I am hoping that it might get high enough to clear the shed roof, and the neighbours tree.

Or maybe there is some place i can get this info.

Thanks, Leon

erick (Eric) · #2 30-11-2007, 02:06 PM

Leon,

Here's my research results:-

From Ballarat (pretty close to your coords), M31 gets to 11 deg 10 min elevation as it crosses the meridian. Unfortunately, the best days for this year are behind us. It is currently crossing the meridian around 9:30 - about an hour after sunset - so still in astronomical twilight at that time. By 10pm it is just West of North, elevation around 10 deg 20 min.

Still I'm going looking for it this Saturday evening - observational only.

Eric

leon · #3 30-11-2007, 02:29 PM

Thanks Eric,gee that is low, looks like it will be out of range for me from home, I reckon I might have to do a field trip some where to catch this one.

Thanks for your efforts.

leon

erick (Eric) · #4 30-11-2007, 03:03 PM

I suggest that you make your trip within the next two weeks, or you will be waiting for several months

Snake Valley next Friday night??

Edit:- Oops! Just remembered - North horizon not great from the club site - trees.

leon · #5 30-11-2007, 03:09 PM

Yep Eric, I realise Snake Valley is not to good for this one either.

Leon

Garyh · #6 30-11-2007, 06:43 PM

Well worth the effort Leon!
Your rig would be ideal for imaging this!
When I imaged this a few weeks ago I think it was about 10pm-10:30pm or so when I started and it was close to the meridian!
cheers and hope you find a nice dark northern horizon!

leon · #7 30-11-2007, 08:37 PM

Thanks Gary, I certainly am going to try for it.

leon

acropolite (Phil) · #8 01-12-2007, 11:10 AM

Best way to see M31 is to make the trip to QLD Astrofest IMO.

leon · #9 01-12-2007, 02:00 PM

Phil, I would like nothing better than to cruise Australia and attend all the Star Parties, but I think someone else might have something to say about that.

Leon