Anza galaxy hunt with supernova and the planet parade

[davesellars]

Great session Andrey & well done on observing the supernova! Congrats on another VROD!

[Bigzmey]

Great session Andrey & well done on observing the supernova! Congrats on another VROD!

Thanks Dave!

[milanpicard]

Nkce work om the sn, Biggs! Hey, I am intrigues on that ngc2554 and its spiral arms. Do you think I could see the arms in my 8dob, on suburban skies? Or can you recommend some other galaxy for that? I have never seen arms, even that double Messier galaxy at the head of the Big Dipper I can only see as two separate galaxies, with no connection between.

Thanks Milan! I went through my logs and below are the galaxies where I managed to resolve arms. Most of them where done with 8" SCT. Visually arms are never as bright as in photos. They are pale, a shade brighter than background. For the most you have to work to resolve them. When you see that the galaxy disk have mottled, patchy, uneven appearance this is your best chance to see some interesting details like arms, bar or knots.

NGC7678, NGC0300, NGC2979, M33, M101, NGC4030, NGC4713, NGC4942, NGC7723, NGC0772, IC 0342, NGC4559, M51, NGC1365, NGC3621, M83

Even at the same location sky is never the same. Amount of details resolved vary considerably from good transparency to bad transparency night. So, keep trying. Also, I find that often light pollution somewhat weaker early morning between midnight and 4 am. Most people went to sleep, but have not woken up yet. Very mild filters like Baader contrast booster sometimes help. JG had success with Baader CCD blue filter on galaxies.

Thank you so much for looking them up, I will give them a try. And good idea with that Baader filter, I do remember that when I only had the 130mm telescope, I used my Baader filter with success on galaxies. After I got the 8dob, though, I never used it again, I guess I thought the scope was good enough. But now I will certainly try it on the galaxies you suggested!

[Ylem]

What an inspiring session Andrey, on congratulations on the well deserved VROD!

[Bigzmey]

What an inspiring session Andrey, on congratulations on the well deserved VROD!

Thanks Jeff!