M83 – Greatest Southern Spiral?

[JoeBlow (Joe)]

A couple nights ago I had some great views of M83 near zenith from my dark site. It was the brightest I’ve seen it in my 10” and its spiral form was very apparent. Unfortunately, my view was soon interrupted by dew setting on my optics. But I also managed to have some nice views of the Leo Triplet, M104 and NGC 4945.

Undoubtedly, there are many fine galaxies visible from Southern latitudes (eg. NGC 253, NGC 55, NGC 1365, NGC 300). However, for a grand design, face-on spiral, are there any other face-on spiral galaxies that rival M83 and optimally positioned for southern observers? From the ones I’ve observed or familiar with, M83 appears to be top dog.

[pgc hunter]

I think M83 is actually the best example we can see well from here. Most everything else big and bright from our neck of the woods is either barred, edge on, oblique to our line of sight, or just doesn't fit the grand design criteria. Probably the two closest candidates you are looking for are NGC 6744 in Pavo and NGC 2997 in Antlia.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Totally agree Joe
I observed M83 last year down at my South Coast getaway under B3 skies ( no moon ) using my SW 12” Goto dob , Paracorr and Televue 21mm ethos and the views were outstanding. The core and outer arms were so detailed and well resolved.
Being an imager as well as an observer I sometimes image and view the same object on the same night. NexDome Obs with 10” Carbon newt in the backyard and 12” Goto dob in the front Car Bay Area.
Such a rewarding experience in amateur astronomy.
Thanks for posting your experience

Martin

[TimHarbour (Tim)]

M83 is a great target in the 10" from a dark site.
Another one close by it in Hydra worth looking at, although not a spiral is ngc 3242 the "Ghost of Jupiter." A round planetary nebula that gave strong hints of blue when I was able to observe it from a bortle 1 site at Yarrowitch.
It is a bit of a ghost though because the second time I tried to observe it from home (bortle 3) I could not find it, all the while M83 was visible though less detailed.
Happy hunting the night sky.

[JoeBlow (Joe)]

Originally Posted by pgc hunter

I think M83 is actually the best example we can see well from here. Most everything else big and bright from our neck of the woods is either barred, edge on, oblique to our line of sight, or just doesn't fit the grand design criteria. Probably the two closest candidates you are looking for are NGC 6744 in Pavo and NGC 2997 in Antlia.

I've seen NGC 6744 from my backyard, but definitely need to try it from my dark site. I'll also look into NGC 2997.

Originally Posted by Startrek

Totally agree Joe
I observed M83 last year down at my South Coast getaway under B3 skies ( no moon ) using my SW 12” Goto dob , Paracorr and Televue 21mm ethos and the views were outstanding. The core and outer arms were so detailed and well resolved.
Being an imager as well as an observer I sometimes image and view the same object on the same night. NexDome Obs with 10” Carbon newt in the backyard and 12” Goto dob in the front Car Bay Area.
Such a rewarding experience in amateur astronomy.
Thanks for posting your experience

Martin

Happy to post about my experience! My dark site is also B3, which makes views so much better!

Originally Posted by TimHarbour

M83 is a great target in the 10" from a dark site.
Another one close by it in Hydra worth looking at, although not a spiral is ngc 3242 the "Ghost of Jupiter." A round planetary nebula that gave strong hints of blue when I was able to observe it from a bortle 1 site at Yarrowitch.
It is a bit of a ghost though because the second time I tried to observe it from home (bortle 3) I could not find it, all the while M83 was visible though less detailed.
Happy hunting the night sky.

I observed NGC 3242 many years ago, I remember it being very bright and detailed, even observing from home, I may have even seen colour. Definitely need to revisit that one.

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

Give NGC1566 in Dorado a try, spiral arms visible relatively easy in a 16 inch scope from a B4-B5 site, not sure how you'd go with a 10 inch though.

[JoeBlow (Joe)]

Originally Posted by GUS.K

Give NGC1566 in Dorado a try, spiral arms visible relatively easy in a 16 inch scope from a B4-B5 site, not sure how you'd go with a 10 inch though.

I've seen spiral arms in NGC 1365 with my 10". NGC 1566 is similar magnitude and form, so I'll put that one on my list too thanks.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

If we are talking true dark skies and at least a 10-12" scope, then yes in our southern skies M83 is about the best, NGC 1365 is also pretty good, then although not quite as obvious, NGC 1566 shows some spiralness too as does NGC1300 in a big scope. In the northern sky however, visually, M51 leaves all spiral galaxies in its wake, where under a dark sky, it's face on spiral structure is thick and dense and plain to see, down to a 6" or 8" scope and in scopes in the 18"-20" realm or larger, it is positively B&W photographic in appearance. I was fortunate enough to view it in several different scopes, up to 32" at the 2018 Texas Star Party and it blew my mind, so good

Mike

[JoeBlow (Joe)]

In the Northern Hemisphere you have face-on galaxies M51, M33, M81 and M101, which are up there with M83. Like Mike said, by all reports M51 appears to be the easiest to see the spiral form. M33 and M101 are well known to have fairly low surface brightness, so I think M83 is easier than both. M81 is very bright for a galaxy, but not sure how easy it is to discern its arms.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

I was fortunate enough to view it in several different scopes, up to 32" at the 2018 Texas Star Party and it blew my mind, so good

Mike

I forgot to mention I was also privileged that trip to be able to spend a full crystal clear cold night using the 100" Hooker telescope on Mt Wilson and of course, we also looked at M51 through that but while bright and in ya face the field of view we were using was pretty small and didn't even fit the whole galaxy in! so while it gave pretty good bragging rights, it was underwhelming and looked best through the 20"+ Dobs at the TSP

Mike

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by JoeBlow

I've seen NGC 6744 from my backyard, but definitely need to try it from my dark site. I'll also look into NGC 2997.



Happy to post about my experience! My dark site is also B3, which makes views so much better!



I observed NGC 3242 many years ago, I remember it being very bright and detailed, even observing from home, I may have even seen colour. Definitely need to revisit that one.

Face on spirals are one class of objects that are most affected by light pollution. The low surface brightness, any LP and it's wiped. There is also NGC 7424 in Grus and IC 5332 in Sculptor. Both are face on spirals and are fainter than the others, but your 12 inch from the dark site might show some detail.

There's also NGC 6221 in Ara, a barred spiral. I recall seeing hints of the arms in a suburban sky with a 12".

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by GUS.K

Give NGC1566 in Dorado a try, spiral arms visible relatively easy in a 16 inch scope from a B4-B5 site, not sure how you'd go with a 10 inch though.

I've seen them with an 8 inch from my B3 site. Quite faint as I recall, but they were there.