2011-05-27

M 69



Photo by Pittendreigh

At an estimated distance of 70,000 light years, M54 is the most distant globular in the Messier list. The other two, M69 and M70, are about half that distance from us and are relatively close to each other.

HOW TO FIND IT:

These three globular clusters are all found by scanning the area between Zeta and Epsilon Sagittarii, which are the two stars that make up the bottom of the "teapot." Draw a line from Zeta to Epsilon, and you will first come to M54, followed by M70. M69 will be somewhat north of the line, in the teapot area.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M54 will be one of the most densely packed globular clusters in Messier's list. M69 was described by Messier as a "nebula without a star." All three appear rather small. M70 may appear with a slightly irregular outline.



2011-05-20

M 68


Photo by Pittendreigh

HOW TO FIND IT: Draw a line from Eta through Beta Corvus and continue about half that distance.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

This is a relatively small globular cluster. It is faint, but can be viewed through binoculars as a dim puff of haze.




2011-05-19

M 67


HOW TO FIND IT:

Find Alpha Canci. The cluster is nearby, being 2 degrees west.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M67 may be easily dismissed because of its spectacular neighbor, M44. Don't make that mistake!

Look at M67 with different powers of magnification. Small telescopes or binoculars will reveal a group of stars with a cloudy background. Increase that power, and the cloud will be resolved into individual stars.




2011-05-10

M 66





Photo by Pittendreigh

These two galaxies are about 30 million light years away. They are part of a cluster of galaxies that include NGC 3628. M65 and M66 were discovered by Mechain in 1780. Messier completely missed these galaxies less than 10 years earlier when he was keeping track of a comet that would have appeared to have passed between M65 and M66. It might be possible that the comet's brightness obscured the galaxies from view.

HOW TO FIND IT:

Look for the triangle of Leo and identify Theta in that grouping of stars. Locate Iota on the outside of the triangle. Just as Theta, Beta and Delta form a triangle, so does Iota, Theta and Beta. About half-way between Theta and Iota is an asterism of stars forming what I see as a "cup." Three of those stars will form a nice 90 degree angle. Look at the central star of that angle. M65 and M66 will probably be just in the same field of view as that particular star.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M65 and M66 will appear in the same field of view in most amateur telescopes. M66 is the easiest to find.

M66 is an oval shape and has been compared with the Andromeda Galaxy, M31.

M65 has a bit of a twirl to it, revealing its spiral nature. With good observing, you might be able to see some dark lanes.

Another galaxy in the area is NGC 3628. It is also in the same field of view, but is considerably dimmer. Neither Messier nor Mechain were aware of NGC 3628, but give it a try. Knowing it is there helps find it because you will take the extra time that Messier and Mechain did not take.




2011-05-05

M 65



Photo by Pittendreigh

These two galaxies are about 30 million light years away. They are part of a cluster of galaxies that include NGC 3628. M65 and M66 were discovered by Mechain in 1780. Messier completely missed these galaxies less than 10 years earlier when he was keeping track of a comet that would have appeared to have passed between M65 and M66. It might be possible that the comet's brightness obscured the galaxies from view.

HOW TO FIND IT:

Look for the triangle of Leo and identify Theta in that grouping of stars. Locate Iota on the outside of the triangle. Just as Theta, Beta and Delta form a triangle, so does Iota, Theta and Beta. About half-way between Theta and Iota is an asterism of stars forming what I see as a "cup." Three of those stars will form a nice 90 degree angle. Look at the central star of that angle. M65 and M66 will probably be just in the same field of view as that particular star.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M65 and M66 will appear in the same field of view in most amateur telescopes. M66 is the easiest to find.

M66 is an oval shape and has been compared with the Andromeda Galaxy, M31.

M65 has a bit of a twirl to it, revealing its spiral nature. With good observing, you might be able to see some dark lanes.

Another galaxy in the area is NGC 3628. It is also in the same field of view, but is considerably dimmer. Neither Messier nor Mechain were aware of NGC 3628, but give it a try. Knowing it is there helps find it because you will take the extra time that Messier and Mechain did not take.




2011-05-03

M 64


Photo by Pittendreigh

Discovered in 1779 by Johann Bode, M64 is among the skies dozen brightest galaxies. It is nicknamed the "Black eye Galaxy" because of the presence of a dark lane at its center.

HOW TO FIND IT:

Half way between Beta Leonis and Alpha Bootes, and a bit to the north, is a triangle of stars in the constellation of Coma Berenices -- 40, 39 and 35. Along the line between 35 and 40, and a bit closer to 35, is M64.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M64 will appear as an oval nebula. Be sure to look for the dark lane. It takes an experienced observer on a very good night to see the dark lane with lower powers. An 8 inch telescope will have no problem with it.




2011-05-02

M 63


Photo by Pittendreigh

Discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1779.

HOW TO FIND IT:

If you found M94, you will be working in the same general area. All your guide stars will be in Canes Venatici.

Find Alpha and Beta first.

Then find 20, which will form a triangle of stars with Alpha and Beta. As mentioned in the entry on M94, 20 will be a set of four stars, which are designated as 18, 19, 20 and 23. They form a distinctive pattern which will help you correctly identify 20.

You will want to use this pattern of stars to guide you toward M63. The stars 18 and 19 will point in the general direction of M63.

If that doesn't work for you, then use Eta Ursae Majoris, which is the end star in the handle of the Big Dipper, and Alpha Canum Venaticorum. M63 is found almost half way between the two.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M63 is cigar shaped with no bright nucleus.



2011-05-01

M 62


Photo by Pittendreigh

HOW TO FIND IT:

Draw a line from Delta, through Sigma and Alpha. Or sweep the area between Upsilon at the end of the scorpion's tail, and Antares, the brightest star in the constellation (make it a wide sweep, because M62 would not appear right on any imaginary line between these two stars.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

This will be a fantastic globular cluster set with the backdrop of a rich star field. It will be easily seen through binoculars.

This should be a visually impressive globular cluster to observe.