I'm still a beginner, so I'm still working on the Messier Catalog. Only have 14 logged right now. Actually found M81 and M82 last night after searching for about 20 minutes. Anyway, my question to you is, what are you currently working on? The NGC, Caldwell, maybe the Hereschel? Also, what scope are you using to work your way through this project?
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> Actually found M81 and M82 last night after searching for about 20 minutes.
Congratulations! Aren't they a neat pair, with their contrasting shapes. These were actually the 15th and 16th Messiers I saw in 1958 with a wonderful Zeiss 110-mm achromatic refractor which belonged to my astronomy club. It might interest you to know my first 14: 31, 32, 65, 66, 96, 105,108, 63, 94, 95, 64, 51, 106, 109.
I've done all the Messiers twice, all of Alan Dyer's finest NGC, and all of the Herschel 400, plus the Astronomical Leagues Double Star Club (100 double stars). I have no interest in the Caldwells because it's a very poor list based on photographs rather than visual observing; don't bother with it. Recently I have revised the list of variable stars I try to observe every clear night, and that's my main project.
On my last clear night (a month ago -- lousy spring weather) I observed Saturn, Porrima (first time I've split it in years), Algieba, M65, M66, M95, M104, and M42 (last time for this winter). I _almost_ saw the Horsehead: I could see the faint diffuse nebula behind it with averted vision, but couldn't be sure of the Horsehead itself. All observations were made with my new Explore 127-mm apochromatic triplet refractor, with various eyepieces.
> what scope are you using to work your way through this project?
Nowadays I mostly I use a Celestron CPC 1100, an 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain on a goto mount.
Congratulations! Aren't they a neat pair, with their contrasting shapes. These were actually the 15th and 16th Messiers I saw in 1958 with a wonderful Zeiss 110-mm achromatic refractor which belonged to my astronomy club. It might interest you to know my first 14: 31, 32, 65, 66, 96, 105,108, 63, 94, 95, 64, 51, 106, 109.
I've done all the Messiers twice, all of Alan Dyer's finest NGC, and all of the Herschel 400, plus the Astronomical Leagues Double Star Club (100 double stars). I have no interest in the Caldwells because it's a very poor list based on photographs rather than visual observing; don't bother with it. Recently I have revised the list of variable stars I try to observe every clear night, and that's my main project.
On my last clear night (a month ago -- lousy spring weather) I observed Saturn, Porrima (first time I've split it in years), Algieba, M65, M66, M95, M104, and M42 (last time for this winter). I _almost_ saw the Horsehead: I could see the faint diffuse nebula behind it with averted vision, but couldn't be sure of the Horsehead itself. All observations were made with my new Explore 127-mm apochromatic triplet refractor, with various eyepieces.
> what scope are you using to work your way through this project?
Nowadays I mostly I use a Celestron CPC 1100, an 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain on a goto mount.
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Give a high priority to M83 because it's one of the southernmost Messiers, and is visible only during a short window in the spring. It'll be easier for you than for me because you're much further south. It's almost 20° straight down from Spica.
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