Markarian's Chain

[Mike Q]

So what is everyone using to visually observe The Chain? I am reasonably certain there is no way I will see it all at one time in the 16, but I should be able to catch a few of them in a 30mm 82 degree in it. I assume the best bet would be the 4 inch at fairly low power, say around 30 to 50x.

[helicon]

I don't think the fainter members will be visible in a 4" scope.

For example, besides M84 and M86 - It’s comprised of the elliptical galaxy NGC 4458 (magnitude 11.8; 1.6′ by 1.5′) and its lenticular neighbor NGC 4461 (magnitude 11.1; 3.4′ by 1.4′). The final members of Markarian’s Chain, NGC 4473 (magnitude 10.2; 4.5′ by 2.5′) and NGC 4477 (magnitude 10.4; 3.7′ by 3.3′), lie across the border in Coma Berenices.

So you might be able to see 4 of them in a 4-incher. With the 16" assuming reasonably dark skies you should be able to capture them all visually. From my back deck using a 10-inch Dob I nabbed four of them.

Any other folks observe the chain?

[Mike Q]

Yeah the 4 inch is for the wide angle, no idea how many I can really see with it. It will show what it shows.

[OzEclipse]

Hi Mike,

The view of the Messier objects in the 4" will be pallid at best and as @helicon mentioned, you probably won't see the fainter members. I suggest you use the 16 inch with your 30mm 82^o.

I was looking at this very view just last night showing some visitors.

In my 18" f5.5 2500mm FL I get a 81X, 1^o diameter field with my 31mm 82^o Nagler, depending upon conditions, I can see up to 8 galaxies in a single 1 degree field, centred on M86.

Then I move the eyes to one side of the field and I pick up four more.

You can keep crawling around the Virgo Cluster looking at M88, 91, 98, 99, 100, and NGC 4216 are all really wonderful targets in a 16"+ class scope.

cheers

Joe

[Mike Q]

Hi Mike,

The view of the Messier objects in the 4" will be pallid at best and as @helicon mentioned, you probably won't see the fainter members. I suggest you use the 16 inch with your 30mm 82^o.

I was looking at this very view just last night showing some visitors.

In my 18" f5.5 2500mm FL I get a 81X, 1^o diameter field with my 31mm 82^o Nagler, depending upon conditions, I can see up to 8 galaxies in a single 1 degree field, centred on M86.

Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 2.40.22 pm.png

Then I move the eyes to one side of the field and I pick up four more.

Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 2.40.44 pm.png

You can keep crawling around the Virgo Cluster looking at M88, 91, 98, 99, 100, and NGC 4216 are all really wonderful targets in a 16"+ class scope.

cheers

Joe

I will keep this in mind the next time I get out. Thanks, good pics by the way.

[OzEclipse]

I will keep this in mind the next time I get out. Thanks, good pics by the way.

Mike,
Not pics, they're screenshots from my planetarium software - SNP
Joe