I am seeking advice from experienced observers of galaxies for my club's scheduled viewing session next Friday at the venerable 60-inch telescope on Mt. Wilson. Since my usual viewing site and viewing equipment -- both optical and anatomical -- are unsuitable for most faint fuzzies, I use this occasion to expand my observing horizons. Last year I made it a point to view planetary nebulae at the 60-inch. This year, I plan to ask the man at the console to show us some particularly interesting galaxies, and would appreciate any suggestions here on Astromart, subject to the following constraints:
1. I can't use a long, long, list, being only one of 20 or so observers who will bring their own preferences. Which are your 6 prime candidates?
2. It's an all night session (weather permitting), so we will probably be able to look at objects from about 14 hours right ascension (Friday evening) eastward to about 6 hours right ascension (Saturday morning).
3. At 34º north latitude our southern horizon is about 56º south declination, but the instrument is not equipped to look that far south. The practical southerly limit of the objects to view may be about 10º south declination.
4. Remember that this is a very large instrument that tends to produce a very small field of view. That's why I am not seeking to look at any nebulae, and any galaxy that approaches the visual dimensions of M31 or M33 would be inappropriate in my opinion.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
1. I can't use a long, long, list, being only one of 20 or so observers who will bring their own preferences. Which are your 6 prime candidates?
2. It's an all night session (weather permitting), so we will probably be able to look at objects from about 14 hours right ascension (Friday evening) eastward to about 6 hours right ascension (Saturday morning).
3. At 34º north latitude our southern horizon is about 56º south declination, but the instrument is not equipped to look that far south. The practical southerly limit of the objects to view may be about 10º south declination.
4. Remember that this is a very large instrument that tends to produce a very small field of view. That's why I am not seeking to look at any nebulae, and any galaxy that approaches the visual dimensions of M31 or M33 would be inappropriate in my opinion.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
NexStar 8i SCT, Orion 80ED APO refractor, Orion 120 mm EQ refractor, 3.5-inch Questar
