Messier Number

Date Seen

Time Seen

Viewing Location

Seeing x/10

Transparency   & UMiStars

Optics

Eyepiece(s) Used mm

Power(s)

Telescope observations and notes:

M1

10/31/2011

03:39 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32  26

122x & 150x

No moon in sky. M1 was straight up. Faint nebulosity, no detail, best with 32mm ep. Difficult to pick up from background sky.

M2

9/28/2011

08:43 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

9

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Good bright glob in a empty field of view

M3

10/20/2011

07:31 PM CST

Broemmelsiek Park

5

5 (4 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon in sky, but not yet fully dark. Very low in the west , large but dim. Glob.

M4

9/25/2011

09.42 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8 (7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Glob. West of Antares. Not as prominent as expected although that may have something to do with the low placement on the horizon at time of viewing.

M5

9/28/2011

08:50 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

9

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Good bright glob in an empty field other than 1 bright star.

M6

9/25/2011

09:50 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20

28x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Bright open cluster between Sco and Sgr. Further east than M7. Estimate 60 stars. The wings of a butterfly could be seen if prior knowledge, but I wouldn't have guessed it by looking. Trumpler II, 3, m

M7

9/25/2011

09:58 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Bright open cluster between Sco and Sgr. Further west than M6. 50+ stars. Trumpler II, 3, m

M8

9/24/2011

10:32 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Visual object above the spout of the teapot. Diffuse nebula and open cluster. No color with ep, but good color with video.

M9

9/25/2011

10:05 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Smallish glob, fairly empty field.

M10

9/28/2011

09:00 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. About the same size as M12 but it seems slightly brighter

M11

9/25/2011

10:46 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Has a central bright star, many faint background stars in open cluster. Probably more than 100 stars and could be confused with a glob with poor optics and poor focus. Trumpler I, 2, r

M12

9/28/2011

08:55 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Fairly large but faint object. A satellite crossed the field when viewing

M13

9/24/2011

11:32 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Good glob in Her keystone. Always one of my favorite objects.

M14

9/28/2011

09:05 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Seems slightly smaller and much dimmer than M10 & M12

M15

9/28/2011

09:10 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Seems slightly smaller and much dimmer than M10 & M12. Tight, compact center.

M16

9/25/2011

10:55 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Faint nebulosity, open cluster can be seen

M17

9/24/2011

11:47 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Faint ndbulosity, duck seen floating in on the water.

M18

9/24/2011

11:36 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Open cluster of large size about 20 stars. Trumpler II, 3, p

M19

10/20/2011

07:42 PM CST

Broemmelsiek Park

5

5 (4 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon in sky, but not yet fully dark. Very low in the SW, large but very dim. Glob.

M20

9/24/2011

10:42 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Faint diffuse nebula. No color in ep. Shows up much better with video (color & dark lanes prominent).

M21

9/24/2011

10:39 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Open cluster 10-15 stars. Trumpler I, 3, p

M22

9/24/2011

10:53 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Nice glob east & north of Kaus Borealis (top of teapot). Shows well.

M23

9/24/2011

10:45 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Loosely packed open cluster, about 1/2 the field with 8mm eyepiece. Many stars in the field although difficult to tell which are part of the cluster. Trumpler I, 2, r.

M24

9/24/2011

10:49 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Described as a starfield. No discernable order for open cluster. Very rich field.

M25

9/24/2011

11:09 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. 30-40 stars in an open cluster. 1/2 the field of view with a 12mm eyepiece. Trumpler II, 2, m

M26

9/28/2011

09:15 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Small open cluster with around 50 stars. Trumpler II, 2, m

M27

9/28/2011

10:05 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Both lobes visible, rich field, good object

M28

9/24/2011

11:01 PM CDT

Arches Double O PL

8

9(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Smaller and fainter glob east & north of Kaus Borealis (top of teapot)

M29

10/2/2011

09:36 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Small tight bright open cluster of 15-20 stars. Trumpler II, 2, p

M30

10/20/2011

07:53 PM CST

Broemmelsiek Park

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon in the sky. Fairly dark but LP from Chesterfield noticeable in area of DSO. Faint Glob that is small in 12mm eyepiece.

M31

9/25/2011

11:13 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Naked eye visual object. Core shows well, but entire galaxy seems to show better with 11x80 binoculars larger FOV. Some dark lanes may be visible.

M32

9/28/2011

11:32 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20, 12,  8

28x, 46x, & 69x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Best seen at 8mm. At 20mm M31, M32, M110 all in same field

M33

9/25/2011

11:30 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Faint, large fuzzy patch with no detail.

M34

10/2/2011

08:49 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Large area at 100x loose open cluster of about 15 stars. Trumpler II, 3, p

M35

10/24/2011

12:00 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

4

4(4 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Open cluster that fills most of a 35mm eyepiece with the C14. 50-60 stars estimated many bright. A good object. Trumpler III, 3, m

M36

10/23/2011

10:10 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

3

4 (3 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Open cluster that fills about 1/2 the 35 mm eyepiece. 50-60 stars visible in the glow of Chesterfield. Fewer stars than M38 but has more stars that are brighter. Trumpler I, 3, m

M37

10/23/2011

10:20 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

3

4 (3 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Open cluster that is smaller than M38 or M36. Fills about 1/2 of a 35mm eyepiece with C14. Seems a bit dimmer than M38 but that may be related to lower placement above horizon. There may be more stars in M37 than M38. Trumpler I, 1, r

M38

10/23/2011

10:44 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

3

4 (3 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Open cluster that fills about 1/2 the 55 mm eyepiece. 80-100 stars visible in the glow of Chesterfield. Loose and spread out. Shorter ep would loose part of object. Trumpler II, 2, r

M39

10/2/2011

08:58 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Large area at 100x loose open cluster of about 40 stars. Trumpler III, 2, p

M40

2/19/2012

08:45 PM CST

Broemmelsiek Park

4

4 (3 stars)

JB & Apogee

20 (JB)  5(A)

120(JB) 110(A)

No moon in the sky. I had difficulty with seeing tonight. I used the Jones Bird to find and verify the position of M40 then used the Apogee to find it again five minutes later. Disappointing object…double star about 1/5th the way past HIP 60212 on a line from Megrez. The double was easy to split at 110-120x.

M41

10/31/2011

03:14 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in sky. Large open cluster that fills a 32mm eyepiece. Many stars, no concentrated center. Trumpler II, 3, r

M42

10/24/2011

12:10 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

4

4(4 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Diffuse nebula clearly visible as it peeked over the wall of the observatory. Probably not full aperture of scope. Trapezium very unsteady even at lower powers because it was so low over Chesterfield.

M43

10/24/2011

12:10 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

4

4(4 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

71x & 108x

No moon. Diffuse nebula clearly visible as it peeked over the wall of the observatory. Probably not full aperture of scope. Trapezium very unsteady even at lower powers because it was so low over Chesterfield.

M44

10/31/2011

03:30 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in sky, but M44 was in the glow of Chesterfield. Naked eye object, very spread out, low star count. Larger than FOV of 32mm ep. Trumpler III, 1,r

M45

9/25/2011

11:35 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Visual object--many stars show although no nebulosity. Huge in size. Large FOV with Apogee and low power captures most of the object . Trumpler II, 3, m.

M46

10/31/2011

04:00 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in the sky. Large open cluster that fills a 32mm ep, Less than 100 stars of somewhat equal intensity, No center...reminds me of freckles. Trumpler II, 2, m

M47

10/31/2011

04:08 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in the sky. Open cluster that fills more than 1/2 a 32mm ep. Around 50 stars, of different brightnesses, No center, Trottler II, 2,m

M48

10/31/2011

03:52 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in sky. Large open cluster that fills a 32mm eyepiece. Not many stars (<50), no concentrated center. Trumpler III, 3r

M49

5/12/2012

11:20 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. A long star hop from M87. No detail present. Looks like a face on bright spot.

M50

10/31/2011

03:28 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in the sky, Open cluster about 1/2 the field in a 32mm ep. Loose with no center. Bright and dim stars combined. Possibly 50-60 stars. Trumpler II, 2, m

M51

2/25/2012

08:35 PM CST

Danville CA

6

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

1/4 moon and it casts a shadow. Both galaxies visible with averted vision. Dim, but visible. Revisited at 9:30 after the moon went down. Both galaxies easily seen.

M52

10/2/2011

09:04 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Small area tight open cluster of about 20+ stars. Trumpler II, 2, p

M53

3/25/2012

11:35 PM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

After all the galaxies of the evening a glob was a nice change of pace. Not as big or bright as the Oph/Sgr, but a nice placement for spring viewing before M13 comes up. Better than M79 in Lepus…bigger & brighter.

M54

9/25/2011

11:00 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Tiny glob in Sag. Of the three between Ascella & Kaus Australis, this is the one that is most easterly and is above the line between the stars. Of the three, it looks to be the smallest. It would be difficult in binoculars

M55

10/20/2011

08:16 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon. Dark but not black. Large, loose, faint glob. Low in the sky.

M56

10/2/2011

09:42 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Tiny glob in Lyra. very faint

M57

9/25/2011

10:35 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Shows up better with video. Difficult to resolve with the small travel scope. The ring is faint.

M58

5/12/2012

11:10 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Easy star hop SE from M89. Another faint, fuzzy with no detail. A bit stretched out.

M59

3/26/2012

01:00 am CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Another faint elliptical galaxy in Virgo. No detail, only a very faint patch in the same FOV as M60. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M60

3/26/2012

01:02 am CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Another faint elliptical galaxy in Virgo. No detail, only a very faint patch in the same FOV as M59. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M61

3/26/2012

01:26 AM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Another faint elliptical galaxy in Virgo. No detail, only a very faint patch. Very difficult to find. It seemed to take forever. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm. The mount was acting up with much play in the DEC axis.

M62

4/2/2012

03:21 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

5 (4 stars)

Jones Bird

25

96x

No moon in the sky. Easy to find globular cluster. Can also be seen with 11x80 binoculars.

M63

2/25/2012

10:35 PM CST

Danville CA

6

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Faint patch about 5 degrees from Cor Corli towards Alkaid in dipper handle. No real detail seen, faint elongation.

M64

5/10/2012

10:24 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

6(5 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Tough star hop from M85. The galaxy is stretched out, dim, and no detail present. A bit of a disappointment considering it has a name.

M65

2/25/2012

09:30 PM CST

Danville CA

7

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x

moon finally down. M65 & M66 in the same fov. Faint but easy to see the elongation. Both in the same direction. No real detail. Fairly easy to find in the dark sky Also with bino

M66

2/25/2012

09:30 PM CST

Danville CA

7

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

moon finally down. M65 & M66 in the same fov. Faint but easy to see the elongation. Both in the same direction. No real detail. Fairly easy to find in the dark sky Also with binos

M67

10/31/2011

03:45 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in the sky. Open cluster that fills about 1/4th the fov of a 32mm ep. 50-60 stars, loose, no center, Trottler II, 2, m

M68

2/26/2012

12:15 PM CST

Danville CA

6

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Difficult globular cluster very low in the southeast. Very small and dim. Seeing seemed to be decreasing.

M69

9/25/2011

10:30 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Tiny glob in Sag. Of the three between Ascella & Kaus Australis, this is the one that is most westerly and is above the line between the stars. Of the three it seems to be the largest. It would be difficult in binoculars

M70

9/25/2011

10:25 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Tiny glob in Sag. Of the three between Ascella & Kaus Australis, this is the one in the middle and is on the line between the stars. It would be difficult in binoculars

M71

10/20/2011

08:05 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon in the sky. Fairly dark but background sky was gray, not black. Object is a small, loose, dim Glob. I'd looked for it before but this is the first time I've found it.

M72

10/2/2011

09:48 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Tiny glob in Aquarius very faint in eyepiece

M73

10/20/2011

08:42 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

Most unimpressive! Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas says "clump of four stars." I saw four, but little else can be said.

M74

1/23/2012

07:23 PM CST

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4 stars

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

28x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Most difficult object to date. Only possible with averted vision. Very faint and small.

M75

10/20/2011

08:30 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon. Dark but not black sky. Small, tight, faint glob but stands out well in the field. Looks nice considering.

M76

10/20/2011

09:00 PM CDT

Brommelsiek

5

6 (5 stars)

Celestron 8

20  12

102x & 169x

No moon. Most difficult object! Faint nebulosity seen with both eps; but no detail what so ever. Needs very dark skies to be seen and Chesterfield isn't helping…my tax dollars at work!

M77

10/23/2011

11:15 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

3

4(stars)

Celestron 14

55, 35,  20

71x, 108x, & 195x

No moon. Difficult to find. Galaxy? So says the literature. It was faint enough that it could have also been a glob. No detail in eyepiece. Star close to the south.

M78

10/31/2011

03:02 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32  26

122x & 150x

No moon in sky. Very faint nebulosity surrounding two stars. Difficult to find.

M79

10/31/2011

03:23 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32  26

122x & 150x

No moon in the sky. Small, dim glob, slightly better with 32mm ep.

M80

9/25/2011

10:16 PM CDT

Needles Outpost campsite #3

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20  12

28x & 46x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Small glob in Sco. Not as impressive as M4. Not quite 1/2 way between Antares and B Sco(top left claw).

M81

10/2/2011

09:26 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Looks like a spiral more prominent with video

M82

10/2/2011

09:26 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Edge on cigar more prominent with video. Some detail in middle of cigar.

M83

4/2/2012

04:03 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

5(4 stars)

Jones Bird

25

96x

Difficult to find so low to the horizon. Fuzzy patch, nucleus visible, elongation.

M84

3/26/2012

12:40 AM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Very faint extended patch in the same FOV as M86 & M87 with 20mm ep. Little, if any detail, looks elliptical. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M85

5/10/2012

10:14 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

6(5 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Star hop from M100. The core of the galaxy is fairly bright, but not much of the out lying parts are visible. A bit elongated. No real detail.

M86

3/26/2012

12:40 AM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Very faint extended patch in the same FOV as M84 & M87 with 20mm ep. Little, if any detail, looks elliptical. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M87

3/26/2012

12:45 AM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Very faint extended patch in the same FOV as M84 & M86 with 20mm ep. Little, if any detail, looks elliptical and a bit brighter than the other two. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M88

5/12/2012

11:05 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Easy star hop almost due east from M91l It seemed a bit brighter than the last few objects. Definitely elongated/stretched out. No detail observed. Possibly a bit larger than some of the others in the neighborhood.

M89

5/12/2012

10:34 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. This was really difficult to see, very dim. An easy star hop from M84 & M86, but once there only a very faint fuzzy patch. Whoops…. Dew on the corrector plate. It is brighter but it doesn't help too much with the detail.

M90

5/12/2012

10:55 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Easy from M89, almost in the same FOV. Stretched out, ellipitical, faint, and no detail. Very similar to the rest of the CoB/Virgo galaxies in that respect.

M91

5/12/2012

11:00 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

7(5 stars)

Celestron 14

32  55

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Wow, really faint. An easy star hop from M90 almost due north. Only a faint patch with no detail visible.

M92

10/2/2011

09:54 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. After a string of small, faint globs finally one with some size and brightness

M93

10/31/2011

04:14 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

5

4(3 stars)

Celestron 14

32

122x

No moon in the sky. Open cluster that fills more than 1/2 a 32mm ep. Around 50 stars, of different brightnesses, No center, Trumpler II, 3,m

M94

2/25/2012

10:09 PM CST

Danville CA

7

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Easy to see elongation and some detail in galaxy. Easy to find in red dot finder.

M95

2/25/2012

11:24 PM CST

Danville CA

6

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Same FOV as M96. Both faint and little detail but very easy to find. Elongated patch.

M96

2/25/2012

11:24 PM CST

Danville CA

6

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Same FOV as M95. Both faint and little detail but very easy to find. Elongated patch.

M97

2/25/2012

08:28 PM CST

Danville CA

7

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

1/4 moon in the sky, smell of wood smoke from burn off was strong so poorer seeing for the moment. Faint patch down from M108. Very faint. Eyes yes.

M98

5/10/2012

09:45 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

6(5 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Easy star hop eastward in RA from Denebola. The galaxy is faint, but visible. It is an elongated patch showing the side view of what looks like an elliptical galaxy. No real detail.

M99

5/10/2012

09:54 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

6(5 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Easy star hop east & south from M98. The galaxy is faint, but visible. It is clearly a face on spiral, but no real detail seen in the galaxy.

M100

5/10/2012

10:07 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

6(5 stars)

Celestron 14

55  35

70x & 122x

No moon in the sky. Fairly easy star hop east & north of M99. The galaxy is very faint, but visible. No real detail. The object appears to be a face on spiral.

M101

2/25/2012

09:52 PM CST

Danville CA

7

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Very dark background sky. A bit hard to locate. Very faint galaxy, no detail, visible with averted vision.

M102

4/2/2012

04:22 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

5(4 stars)

Jones Bird

25

96x

No moon in the sky. Dim, but nucleus visible and some elongation. I had a bit of trouble finding it with the floppy finders on the scope.

M103

10/2/2011

09:20 PM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

6

6(5 stars)

Celestron 8

20

102x

One day before first quarter moon makes detail difficult. Small area tight open cluster of about 10 - 15 stars. Trumpler II, 3, p.

M104

3/26/2012

12:23 AM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Dim, but I actually think I saw the "hat" vs just a fuzzy patch. Not too difficult to find. It would be difficult from Broemmelsiek.

M105

3/25/2012

11:45 PM CDT

Whetstone Creek CA

6

8(7 stars)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12

28x 46x

No moon in the sky. Very close to Mars and in the same FOV as M95 & M96. Seems smaller, dimmer, and more difficult that the other two. No detail seen. A dim patch with averted vision, possibly a bit stretched out. It would be impossible from Broemmelsiek with the 90mm.

M106

2/25/2012

10:24 PM CST

Danville CA

6

8 (7 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

No moon in the sky. Slightly more than 1/3 the way between Chadra and cup of dipper. Extended patch, easily seen. Stretched out but no detail.

M107

4/2/2012

03:25 AM CDT

Broemmelsiek Park

7

5 (4 stars)

Jones Bird

25

96x

No moon in the sky. Easy to find globular cluster. Can also be seen with 11x80 binoculars.

M108

2/25/2012

08:10 PM CST

Danville CA

7

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

1/4 moon in the sky, bright enough to cast a shadow. Faint patch about 3/4 field below Merak in 20mm ep. No detail apparent. No elongation seen

M109

2/25/2012

07:30 PM CST

Danville CA

7

7 (6 stars in Umi)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20 12 8

27x 46x 69x

1/4 moon in the sky, bright enough to cast a shadow. Faint patch in the same fov as Phecda. No detail apparent other than a slight elongation towards handle of dipper.

M110

9/28/2011

09:25 PM MDT

Bryce Canyon Paira Viewpoint Parking lot

8

8(7 stars & M31)

Apogee w SemiAPO

20

28x

Observed with no moon in sky under Bortle black sky. Somewhat large fuzzy patch above M31. Sky was very dark. No detail in galaxy.