[Lvas] Deep-Sky Observing Resources for - May

[roger ivester]

LVAS all,
 
This month our "Observer's Challenge" will include M-65/66 and NGC-3628. We will use the following references. Please also note the fine detail that we will be looking for. This will be truly a test of your observing skills.
 
Skiff and Luginbuhl: Observing Handbook and Catalog of Deep-sky Objects. 
 
M-65; dimen. 10' x 3'.3; mag. 9.3 
 
Messier 65 is bright in 6 cm, a very elongated and concentrated nebula. Low powers show a stellar nucleus. It appears fainter than M-66. The N side of of M-65 the halo seems quite knotted, the core is granular. A mag. 12 star is visible 2' SW; a fainter star lies about the same distance NE of center. (The mottling requires excellent seeing) - Roger Ivester 
 
In 30 cm the it shows a strong, even concentration toward a mottled inner regions and a distinct nonstelar nucleus. Passing E of the is a dark lane, making the E side of the nebula generally fainter. Lying 30" E of center in the dark lane is a threshold magnitude star.  ( I am most anxious to attempt this dark lane with my 10-inch) Roger Ivester      
 

M-66; dimen. 8'.7 x 4'.4; mag. 9.0
 
Messier 66 is a large, lenticular oject in 6 cm, located at the SE end of a crooked string of three mag. 9 stars. The surface is irregularly concentrated and without a prominent nucleus. 15 cm shows a large bright object with a bright concentrated core. (The chain of stars are easy in my 4-inch Vixen Refractor) - Roger Ivester
 
In 30 cm the NE side is particularly mottled. The core which brightens evenly to a nonstellar nucleus is chopped-off on it's NE and SW sides by dark blotches. (My notes do not indicate that I have seen the dark areas with my 10-inch reflector) - Roger Ivester      
  
 
NGC-3628; dimen. 15' x 3'.6; mag. 9.4
 
This long galaxy is bright in 25 cm. The halo extends to 10' x 1', elongated E-W; it extends more W than E from the center. (Can easily see on my sketch using my 10-inch reflector) Roger Ivester  
 
In 30 cm the elongated core is crowded against the N flank of the halo and contains a faint 
nucleus.
 
John Mallas: The Messier Album.
 
M-65; 4-inch refractor shows an oval central region and has a very granular appearance.  
M-66; 4-inch refractor presents a mottled or clumpy appearance. Many dark areas could be seen without difficult. (This is fairly easy to see with my 10-inch, and will observe with my 4-inch refractor also) - Roger Ivester 
 
 
David Eicher: The Universe From Your Backyard.
 
M-65; An 8-inch scope presents a lightly mottled haze. 
M-66; Visible in a finderscope on dark nights, appearing as a tiny patch of fuzz.
NGC-3628; A good 6-inch reflector at high powers shows the thin but obvious dust band running along the galaxies edge. (This may prove to be difficult as I have been unable to see the dustlane with my 10-inch on many occasions) - Roger Ivester
 
Please read carefully as we will consider all faint details that are in bold. This will be a test indeed. Record what you see on your notes or analyze your images very carfully for all of the details listed. If you are imaging you can add some additional notes.


Roger 
 
 
 
    I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.      Abraham Lincoln





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