Can I see M74-77-78 and M79 with 12" Dob?

[bobson (Bob)]

I use Starry Night and Stellarium programs to find objects on the sky. I am getting confused 'cos I can not find at all a lot of things that are mentioned as been possible to look at with aperature 100mm and above.

I have 12" Dob and I can not find any of above mentioned M (NGC) at all.

Yes, I do star hopping and point to the right direction but no luck. Can I see those objects with my 12" Dob or not?

Thanks

bob

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by bobson

I use Starry Night and Stellarium programs to find objects on the sky. I am getting confused 'cos I can not find at all a lot of things that are mentioned as been possible to look at with aperature 100mm and above.

I have 12" Dob and I can not find any of above mentioned M (NGC) at all.

Yes, I do star hopping and point to the right direction but no luck. Can I see those objects with my 12" Dob or not?

Thanks

bob

Yes to the all the above question.
M74 is the most difficult, having a low surface brightness.
M77. my observing log is,galaxy Bright nuculas with some hint of outer halo.
10th mag star east of galaxy,20cm SCT
M78 can be seen in 7x50 binoculars.
M79 at 7.9mag looks quite like a Comet in a 20cm SCT with a 30 mm eyepiece.
So you shouldn't have any problem with a 12" scope to observe any of those objects.
Ron

[bobson (Bob)]

Thanks Ron

Looks like I will not be able to go out to dark skys soon, is it possible to see those objects in light poluted skys?

From my backyard: Tucane is great, Orion si huge, have no problems, but the one just under it M78, can't see nothing at all? Maybe light polution is too strong in my backyard?

[glenc (Glen)]

M74 is only visible with no moon and no light pollution.
M77 is pretty bright.
M78 is best with no moon and no light pollution.
M79 is also pretty bright.

[astroron (Ron)]

Bob, I observed from GinGin 80kms from Perth a few years ago and the sky was even bright from there.
You may be able to see a couple of them after midnight when a few of the lights have been turned of.
M78 is 3 stars with a reflection Nebula, use high mag when you find itand you should be able to glimps the nebula.
Ron

[bobson (Bob)]

Ron,

GinGin was in plan as next possible dark sky spot, but now I might think again. A week ago I was just about 12 kms from York, it wasn't the best 'cos of trees, but those objects wouldn't be affected anyway. Everywhere you go its fenced off, and trees are around the roads, even driving about 5-6 kms in from Great Southern HWY (turned left, Wambyn road I think it was) after a few kms becomes dirt road. I managed to find one spot, its entrance to the farm, claer and wide enough to park a few cars.

But, just under Orion (a bit left after 11 pm) I could see light glow, not much but I think it might've been from York lights.


Glen,

I'll try M77 and 79 tonight, if not cloudy

Thanks

bob

[astroron (Ron)]

Bob, If you can get out of own a bit on the great eastern highway and look east you should have no problems in a dark sky.
Good Luck.
Ron

[bobson (Bob)]

Last night I managed to find M79 but only with 15mm eyepiece, 8x50 finderscope couldn't find even a dot of it. M77; nothing, maybe 'cos of the Moon, it was close to it and very bright last night.

This is all from my backyard of course, not dark sky. I think light polution was very high, and thanks to Christmass lights even more so.

Talking about Christmas;

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Hi Bob.

You will not appreciate how much difference a truly dark sky makes until you experience it for the first time. 47 Tuc will take on an entirely different appearance under a dark sky. If you are going to observe deep sky targets you really need to get out to a good sky.

I live in an urban area about 80km nth of Sydney (about Mag 5 to 5.2 skies) and I rarely bother to get my telescope out when I am at home, because the views just aren't comparable to what I get under "dark" skies.

Cheers,
John B