First Galaxy! M104

[orestis]

On tuesday morning this week it was o.k seeing and hadn't seen a galaxy live before .While searching the internet found a way to starhop to M104.

Star hoping to M104 was easy as there three fairly bright stars pointing at the spiral galaxy.

When in view it looked like a globular cluster but when using averted vision i clearly saw the arms and bright cental core but no dust lane in my 130mm diameter newtonian.I was so excited to see my first galaxy and it was Fantastic.By the way if your wondering i chose M104 because so many people say that its one of there favourites.

I also did a sketch to show how i saw it in the eyepiece.15mm 60x mag

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

ALL RIGHT, . Good stuff Orestis!

Very exciting, & a great thrill to track down one of these suckers!

From your drawing, the bottom edge of the sketch of M104 is the dust lane! Come back to it, & I'm sure you will be able to pick-up more details. The excitement can overwhelm what we can see first time. It happened to me, & still does with new objects often.

Have a go at M83 in Hydra & Centaurus A (NGC 5128) in Centaurus. Both are well positioned for this time of year & easy to star hop to & can be seen in a finder. M83 is a face on spiral, & 5128 is edge on & resembleing a hamburger.

Tip: don't be affraid sometimes to kick up the magnification to improve contrast. I need to remind myself to pick up the short focal length EPs sometimes.

[orestis]

Thanks for the encouragement Alexander
Yeah cant wait to see M83
Looks like a clear night tonight ''YEAH"
Will give it a go might do another sketch too
Regards Orestis