Ideas?

OK gang, I know this is old question but if you got some ideas I would like them.

I have a 5 inch Mak and it seems like I have exhausted just about every target within reach of my scope. 100 of the Messier objects, a bunch NGC galaxis, globulars, PN, and a load of double stars.

My magnitude limit on galaxies is 9.5 - 10, I've never seen a 10.5 galaxy in my scope. Faint but dense clusters I really enjoy, such as NGC 7789.

If you have any favorite not-so-well-known gems to suggest, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

Daryl

Just a thought. As the seasons go by, and objects fade from view, do you ever think, I can't wait till next year to see all my favorites once again. There are some objects I never tire of viewing even after many years. I'll never exhaust my pool of targets.

Try for the Astronomical League's Herschel 400. The blurb says that it is a list for 6" and larger scopes...prove 'em wrong! Could be a challenge, but you sound like you are up for a challenge.

Doug
Midway, FL

Well, you could always move to the Southern Hemisphere, or buy a different scope. Or move somewhere darker. I assume those aren't the kinds of answers you're looking for.

A more doable suggestion: take up sketching. I've only done this on a limited basis so far, but it does change how you look at things.

I wouldn't really generally rule out galaxies less than 10.5, unless this is based on a LOT of data based on your sky conditions...remember, galaxies can have radically different surface brightnesses!

A single object suggestion, if you like faint, dense clusters: NGC 6603, a dim, dense cluster in the heart of M24. It just starts to resolve in high power in my 6 inch scope. I chanced across it while scanning through M24 - it's nebulous at low power, grainy to slightly resolved at high power. Neat, and gives you an excuse to peruse M24.

I've seen it listed at mag 11.4 or so, but that seems too dim to me. Anyone else have an opinion?

I have a 5 inch Mak (Newt) as well. You might try for the Blinking Nebula, the Helix, or the Rosette. I assume that you have done the North American (really needs a 2 degree field) and the Veil. Then, have you seen the dust lane in M 84? I've seen it in my 5 inch with averted vision (but I saw it first in the 16).

Unfortunately, my experience has been, that while I love my Mak, a whole new deep sky opens up in an 8 inch (or larger) Dobsonian. Portability , of course, becomes an issue. I have a friend with a 16 inch truss scope, it shows a lot, but I wouldn't trade my beautifully figured 8 inch for it because mine is small enough to use, and big enough to see a whole lot.

I usually promote double stars to people who claim to have exhausted their DSO capabilities. However, there are quite a few interesting planetaries around which are very bright, but obviously missed by Messier due to their near stellar appearance. The best know examples are probably NGC6543 and NGC7662 (Draco and Andromeda) and the Eskimo nebula in Gemini. NGC6210 in Hercules is another good one, and so is NGC7009 (I think this is the correct NGC number), it is located in Cygnus not far from the North-America nebula.

And when spring comes don't miss the great galaxy, NGC4631. It is easily seen in an 80mm refractor.

There really is a lot up there not on the Messier list. I agree with Ron's statement about surface brightness; don't be intimidated by magnitudes of DSOs. There are a number of high surface brightness globulars, for instance, that can easily be seen in your scope. NGC 6712 is a great object, for example. Small planetaries down to the stellar magnitude limit of your scope may be visible (if you like PNs, you may want to invest in an OIII filter).

You could also follow asteroids, time occulations, chart variable stars. You've got plenty left in that scope.

(I also agree that doubles are great targets.)