CATALOG COMMON NAME TYPE CONSTLN DISTANCE MAGNITUDE SIZE DATE TIME LOCATION ELEVATION BORTLE CONDITIONS SEEING TRANS- HUMIDITY % MOON% RISE/SET EQUIPMENT MAGNIFICATION FOV (degrees) COMMENTS




thousand LY
arc seconds






PARENCY






























M1 Crab Nebula PN TAU 65 8 6 x 4 8-Nov-16 4:40 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear good transparent
50 12:05 AM Celestron 130AZ, 17mm Orion Stratus 38 1.7 Barely visible (at this aperture) hazy round patch about 5" in diameter. A little difficult to locate due to high magnitude, even under quite dark sky. Will attempt to reobserve with one of my larger telescopes.


M2
GC-II AQR 33 6.5 13 14-Jun-16 3:50 AM Hatch, Utah 7080 2 clear average above average 15 63 S 2:47 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Compact globular, not quite as bright as M15, bright central core. Starts resolved with averted vision.


M3
GC-VI CVN 33.9 6.4 16 4-Apr-16 9:55 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 It's a pretty big globular, not as big as M13, but quite bright and I was able to resolve some of the stars from the haze.


M4
GC-IX SCO 7.2 5.9 26 18-Jul-15 9:55PM Lubbock, Texas 3284 6 high cirrus fair average
7 S 10:33 PM Orion XT8, 17mm plossl 70 0.7 My 1st recorded Messier. "Nice detail, a fine round cloud of tiny stars with brighter, larger ones scattered throughout" (quote from my original notes)


M5
GC-V SER 24.5 5.8 17 16-May-16 3:20 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Spectacular globular cluster, visible in both 9x50 finder scope and 7x35 binoculars. Very bright, solid white core, dozens of stars resolved.


M6 Butterfly Cluster OC SCO 1.6 4.2 15 14-May-16 3:15 AM Uninc. Hudspeth County, Texas 4408 2 clearing average average
58 S 2:10 AM Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars 20 2.9 smaller, not as bright as M7, just a field of view to the northeast of M7. With 7x35 binoculars, could probably see both in same field (confirmed 5-16-16)


M7 Ptolemy Cluster OC SCO 0.98 3.3 80 14-May-16 3:15 AM Uninc. Hudspeth County, Texas 4408 2 clearing average average
58 S 2:10 AM Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars 20 2.9
Large, bright open cluster, nearly fills field of view of the 20x80 binoculars


M8 Lagoon Nebula BN SGR 4.1 6 90 x 40 16-May-16 12:55 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Large, bright nebula incorporating a cluster of stars. Hard NOT to see this one, reportedly naked eye. Couldn't do that, but easily seen with 8x35 binoculars. Revisited 7-4-16 with Obsession/31 mm Nagler, O-III filter, much fine detail resolved. Worthy of another visit to sketch.


M9
GC-VIII OPH 25.8 8 9 24-May-17 10;45 Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87 1.1 Small globular with very bright dense central core. No stars resolved at this magnification, but a hint of granularity.


M10
GC-VII OPH 14.3 6.6 15 16-May-16 2:40 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 M10 and M12 are virtual identical twin globulars. M10 is slightly larger and appears brighter, although both magnitudes listed the same. Many stars resolved (remarks continue on M12)


M11 Wild Duck Cluster OC SCT 6.2 5.8 14 5-Sep-15 9:00 PM Lubbock, Texas 3284 6 clear poor average
23 R 1:33 AM Celestron 130AZ, 17mm Plossl 38 1.4 The cluster appeared as a faint cloud with one brighter star in the center. Rough sketch compared to star atlas confirmed observation.


M12
GC-IX OPH 15.7 6.6 14 16-May-16 2:45 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 (continued from M10) Beautiful showcase clusters, not as compact as some globulars, almost like open clusters. Both are visible and just fit within the 7 degree field of view of the 8x50 finder scope.


M13 Hercules Cluster GC-V HER 22.2 5.9 17 2-Apr-16 10:45 PM Gila Bend, Arizona 1888 4 clear good above average
22 R 2:52 AM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1 Showcase globular cluster of the northern skies. Very large, many stars resolved, dense white central core, streams of stars from center. Thousands of stars resolved, a little snowball in the sky.


M14
GC-VIII OPH 30 7.6 12 16-May-16 2:30 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Difficult to find, very dim and diffuse globular cluster. Fairly large.


M15
GC-IV PEG 33 6.4 12 14-Jun-16 3:43 AM Hatch, Utah 7080 2 clear average above average 15 63 S 2:47 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Nice compact globuar with bright central core, many stars resolved at 92x magnification and good dark sky.


M16 Eagle Nebula OC SER 7 6 7 4-Jul-16 12:01 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Open cluster surrounded by nebulosity. Bright double at north end, plus nice little arc of 6 stars. Home of the iconic "pillars of creation" Hubble image. I plan to revisit under higher magnification with O III filter.


M17 Omega Nebula BN SGR 5 7 46 x 37 16-May-16 3:33 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Western edge like a reverse letter 'C' with a semi-circular ring of tiny stars lining the edge. Nebula narrows to the east. It looks kind of like a large mouth bass jumping out of the water with stars for teeth.


M18
OC SGR 4.9 6.9 9 1-Aug-16 10:15 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear poor average
2 S 7:13 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 It's a fairly loose cluster with maybe 25 stars visible. Shows in finder scope as a hazy patch just south of M17, Omega nebula. In scope, barely distinguishable against rich star field.


M19
GC-VIII OPH 28.7 7.2 14 16-May-16 2:00 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Globular cluster larger and more diffuse than M62, no bright central core, hint of stars resolved with averted vision. Listed as magnitude 7.2, but large surface area makes it look brighter.


M20 Trifid Nebula BN SGR 5.2 8 29 x 27 3-Jul-16 11:15 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
Bright nebula, dark lane divisions hinted with averted vision. Blue and white double in center.


M21
OC SGR 4.25 5.9 13 16-May-16 1:00 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos; Zhumell 20x80 Bino 92 1.1
Bright open cluster, maybe 30 stars resolved.


M22
GC-VII SGR 10.6 5.1 24 9-Oct-15 11:00 PM Eagle Canyon, San Rafael Swell, Utah 7523 2 high cirrus fair average
11 R 3 AM Celestron 130AZ, 10mm Orion plossl 65 0.8 M22 was a pretty good treat, a fuzzy patch at 16x (40mm), a distinct globular cluster at 65x (10mm).


M23
OC SGR 2.15 5.5 27 4-Jul-16 12:05 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Very loose open cluster, perhaps 50-60 stars visible at this magnification. A little difficult to distinguish against rich Milky Way star field. Stands out against field in 9x50 finder scope. ID confirmed in finder scope by pattern of surrounding low magnitude stars.


M24 Sagittarius Star Cloud MC SGR 10 4 90 3-Jul-16 11:45 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Large dense cloud of stars about 1.5-2 degrees wide by 1 degree. According to one reference, actually a patch of Milky Way unobstructed by dark lane. Many fine asterisms, strings and loops of tiny stars. Fuzzy patch in cloud looks like perhaps a globular cluster behind the cloud.


M25
OC SGR 2 4.6 32 16-May-16 3:45 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos; Zhumell 20x80 Bino 92 1.1 Nice open cluster, better in binoculars than telescope. Looks like two tiny red stars in center, like a pair of coal red eyes staring back at you. Similar sight in M41. Maybe its just me.


M26
OC SCT 5 8 15 25-Jul-16 11:10 PM Montgomery Pass, Nevada 6035 1 smoke haze fair below average
50 R 11:54 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Difficult to find only because Scutum is a small constellation with dim stars. Shows in finder scope as hazy patch. At 92x a very pretty cluster, perhaps 100 stars visible, bright one in center.


M27 Dumbell Nebula PN VUL 1.36 8 8 x 4 3-Jun-16 1:30 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear fair average
3 R 4:40 AM Obsession 15UC, 13mm Ethos 141 0.7 Bright planetary nebula, distinct shape sort of like a round apple with a bit taken out of opposite sides. Very beautiful, at this magnification some veination hinted.


M28
GC-IV SGR 17.9 7 11 16-May-16 1:19 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Small, tight globular. Fuzzy ball, no stars resolved


M29
OC CYG 4 6.6 7 25-Jul-16 11:00 PM Montgomery Pass, Nevada 6035 1 smoke haze fair below average
50 R 11:54 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 This cluster has eluded me for over a year. I could never pick it out agains the rich background field. Clue: I was looking for something bigger. Shows as hazy patch in finder scope. Compared quick sketch to photos to confirm....

The giveaway was the 'little dipper' asterism at the center of the cluster.
M30
GC-V CAP 27.1 7.5 11 31-Oct-16 7:20 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 high cirrus fair average
1 S 6:53 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Small dim globular. Two trails of 3-4 stars extending northward, one from central core, the other from the eastern edge.


M31 Andromeda Galaxy SG AND 2540 3.4 180 x 60 1-Sep-15 10:00 PM Crosbyton, Texas 2793 3 clearing below average good 42 89 R 9PM Orion XT8, 17mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 I was not impressed with 1st view Andromeda, expected more detail. Large oval cloud with bright central core. More observations with new 15" scope may help.


M32
EG AND 2900 8.1 8 x 6 16-Sep-15 10:00 PM Aurora, Colorado 5641 7 broken clouds average good 36 1 S 9 PM Orion XT8, 17mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Small fuzzy patch just southeast of visible edge of M31. I originally thought this was M110, found M110 later-large elliptical north of M31


M33 Pinwheel Galaxy SG TRI 2720 5.7 60 x 40 14-Jun-15 3:25 AM Hatch, Utah 7080 2 clear average above average
63 S 2:47 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Hunted this galaxy several times before I finally found it. It is so dim and diffuse, it barely shows as a fairly large hazy round patch, just barely brighter than background. Data for 2nd observation as 1st not properly recorded in journal. Subsequent observations show hint of spiral structure.


M34
OC PER 1.5 5.5 35 23-Nov-16 6:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% 3 of 5 4 of 5 87 26 R 1:14 AM Nikon 7x35 binoculars, Obsession15UC 21mm Ethos 7 ,87.5 9.2, 1.1 I found it first with the 7x35 Nikon binoculars, where it appeared as a hazy patch. The 16x50 Nikons were able to resolve a few stars. The cluster nearly filled the 1.1 degree field of view of the 15" Obsession using the 21mm Ethos eyepiece, and resolved hundreds of stars.


M35
OC GEM 2.8 5.3 28 23-Nov-16 9:10 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% 3 of 5 4 of 5 87 26 R 1:14 AM Nikon 7x35 binoculars, Obsession15UC 21mm Ethos 7, 87.5 9.2, 1.1 At 87.5x, the cluster filled the 1.1 degree field of view with hundreds of stars. What was really amazing was a companion cluster NGC 2158 about a third of the way southeast of M35's center, almost looks like a globular cluster.


M36
OC AUR 4.1 6 12 17-Dec-16 7:15 PM Montgomery Pass, Nevada 6017 1 clear above average transparent 35 81 R 9:05 PM Celestron 130AZ, 13mm Televue Ethos 50 2
Very rich open cluster, hundreds of stars resolved


M37
OC AUR 4.5 5.6 24 17-Dec-16 7:15 PM Montgomery Pass, Nevada 6017 1 clear above average transparent 35 81 R 9:05 PM Celestron 130AZ, 13mm Televue Ethos 50 2
M37 is the richest of the three Auriga open clusters, with hundreds of stars.

 

M38
OC AUR 4.2 6.4 21 8-Apr-16 11:15 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 scattered clouds average average 57 3 S 9:16 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Sparser, smaller cluster than M36 or M37. All three clusters are visible in the 9.2 degree FOV of the Nikon 7x35 binoculars, an impressive sight.


M39
OC CYG 0.8 4.6 32 5-Jun-16 12:15 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear fair average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 M38 is also smaller, but the field of view includes another more distant cluster, NGC 1907, which shows up as a hazy patch to the southeast of M38's core.


M40 Double Star AS UMA 0.5 9.1 1 4-Jun-16 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 clear fair average
new new Obsession 15UC, 13mm Ethos 141 0.7 Tight double star about 1 degree northwest of Megrez, a brighter more widely separated double another degree further out. One of two asterisms in the catalog, theoritically included because reported as comet by one of Messier's contemporaries.


M41
OC CNM 2.3 4.5 38 29-Dec-15 9:00 PM Lake Havasu City (Franconia), Arizona 992 4 clear above average above average 30 72 R 11:02 PM Bushnell 10x50 Binoculars, Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars 10 5 I have observed this fine cluster several times, two orange-red stars in center look like a pair of glowing eyes staring back at you.


M42 Orion Nebula BN ORI 1.34 4 85 x 60 26-Dec-16 8:00 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% cloud cvr 4 of 5 5 of 5 62 6 R 4:40 AM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Ethos; 16x50 Nikon binoculars 87,16 1.1, 4.2 Large, bright reflection nebula, visible to unaided eye as hazy patch in the "Sword of Orion". Spectacular in any instrument, greater magnification reveals four tiny young stars known as the Trapezium. OIII filter reveals fine details in nebulosity.


M43 Orion Nebula (north) BN ORI 1.6 9 20 x 15 26-Dec-16 8:00 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% cloud cvr 4 of 5 5 of 5 62 6 R 4:40 AM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Ethos; 16x50 Nikon binoculars 87,16 1.1, 4.2 An nebulous extension to the north of M42.
M44 Beehive Cluster OC CAN 0.577 3.7 95 4-May-16 10:25 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear above average above average
new new Bushnell 7x35 Binoculars 7 5
Large open cluster best viewed with binoculars


M45 Pleiades OC TAU 0.44 1.6 110 23-Sep-15 1:30 AM Aurora, Colorado 5641 7 clear fair average
75 T 9:16 PM Unaided eye 1 360 Fuzzy patch to unaided eye, beautiful open cluster about 20 blue stars best viewed with binoculars


M46
OC PUP 5.4 6 27 24-Apr-16 9:00 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 In same field of view as M47, fuzzy patch in finder scope, telescope resolves large cluster of stars.


M47
OC PUP 1.6 4.4 30 6-Mar-16 11:00 PM San Rafael Swell, UT Eagle Canyon 7133 2 partly cloudy above average above average 43 14 R 4:15 AM Celestron 130AZ, 13mm Televue Ethos 50 2
Nice open cluster with maybe 40 or 50 stars resolved


M48
OC PUP 1.5 5.8 54 6-Mar-16 11:00 PM San Rafael Swell, UT Eagle Canyon 7133 2 partly cloudy above average above average 43 14 R 4:15 AM Celestron 130AZ, 13mm Televue Ethos 50 2 A rich open cluster with countless stars resolved, probably in the hundreds or maybe a thousand, rivaling a globular cluster


M49
EG VIR 5590 8.4 9 x 7 13-Jun-17 11:50 PM San Rafael Swelll Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Dim hazy patch, marginally brighter central core only apparent with averted vision


M50
OC MON 3.2 5.9 16 26-Dec-16 8:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% cloud cvr 4 of 5 5 of 5 62 6 R 4:40 AM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Ethos; 16x50 Nikon binoculars 87,16 1.1, 4.2 The cluster filled much of the 1.1 true field of view with hundreds of stars resolved.. In the telescope, the cluster does not stand out very well against the Milky Way star field, but in both the 7x and 16x binoculars, the cluster 'pops' with many stars resolved.


M51 Whirlpool Galaxy SG CVN 23000 8.4 11 x 7 4-Apr-16 8:50 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 With XT8, medium size fuzzy patch with bright central core. With 15UC much brighter, spiral arms visible with averted vision.


M52
OC CAS 3-7(uncertain) 6.9 13 14-Jun-16 4:05 AM Hatch, Utah 7080 2 clear average above average 15 63 S 2:47 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Small fuzzy patch, distinct in finder scope. Under magnification, not easy to discern against rich milky way field stars. Perhaps 50-60 individual stars visible at this magnification. Better binocular object.


M53
GC-V COM 58 8.3 13 4-Apr-16 9:45 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 It's a pretty big globular, not as big as M13, but quite bright and I was able to resolve some of the stars from the hazy center of the cluster.


M54
GC-III SGR 87.4 7.7 9 16-May-16 1:35 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Very small globular cluster, like a fuzzy star. Belongs to Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy, being absorbed by Milky Way.


M55
GC-XI SGR 17.5 7 19 1-Aug-16 9:45 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear poor average
2 S 7:12 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Ethos 87.5 1.1 It's a beautiful globular, not too bright at the core, with many fine stars resolved.


M56
GC-X LYR 32.9 8.2 7 25-Jul-16 10:40 PM Montgomery Pass, Nevada 6035 1 smoke haze fair below average
50 R 11:54 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Small, fairly dim globular barely stands out against rich star field. Located as hazy patch in finder scope. Located about midway between Albireo and Gamms Lyrae (Sulafat). Symmetrical, no stars resolved, slightly brighter core


M57 Ring Nebula PN LYR 2.3 8.8 2.3 4-Aug-15 10:00 PM Lubbock, Texas 3284 6 clear poor below average 62 76 R 11:06 PM Orion XT8, 17mm Orion plossl 71 0.7 Small dim doughnut shaped nebular ring, barel!y visible with averted vision using XT8. Later observations with 15UC much larger, brighter.


M58
SG VIR 68000 9.8 5 X 4 24-May-17 10:20 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
Small oval patch with bright central core


M59
EG VIR 60000 10.6 5 X 4 13-Jun-17 10:50 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Elliptical galaxy and appears as fuzzy out of focus star with bright stellar core. In same field of view as M60 and NGC 4638.


M60
EG VIR 55000 9.8 7 x 6 13-Jun-17 10:50 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Elliptical galaxy and appears as fuzzy out of focus star with bright stellar core . In same field of view as M59 and NGC 4638. M60 a full degree of magnitude brighter than M59


M61
SG VIR 52500 10.2 6 13-Jun-17 11:35 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9
Very dim, hazy patch. Slightly brighter core only apparent with averted vision.


M62
GC-IV OPH 22.2 6.6 14 16-May-16 1:55 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Larger globular cluster, fairly bright core, no stars resolved.


M63 Sunflower Galaxy SG CVN 27000 8.6 12 x 8 24-Apr-16 9:30 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1

Very faint, slighty oval with faint core


M64 Black Eye Galaxy SG COM 24000 8.5 9 x 5 13-Jun-17 11:59 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 It appeared as a hazy oval with a bright central core. The 'black eye' dust lane was not evident at 71x. Nearly in same field of view as Struve 1687.


M65 Leo Triplet SG LEO 35000 9.3 10 x 3 24-Apr-16 9:45 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
Bright edge on spiral in same field of view with M66 and NGC3628


M66 Leo Triplet SG LEO 36000 9 9 x 4 24-Apr-16 9:45 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 In same FOV with M65, brighter and larger, part of Leo Triplet. Very beautiful, very exciting.


M67
OC CNC 2.67-2.93 6.9 30 4-May-16 10:35 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 clear above average above average
2 S 6:44 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Open cluster, maybe 20-30 stars resolved. Low power required to make cluster stand out against rich field of background stars.


M68
GC-X HYA 33.6 8.2 12 13-Jun-17 10:25 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 13 mm Orion Stratus 92 0.74 Faint diffuse globular (class X) core not very bright. No stars resolved at 71x, switched to 13 mm ocular. At 92x about a dozen tiny pinpoint stars on the cluster's periphery visible with averted vision.


M69
GC-V SGR 29.7 7 7.7 16-May-16 1:40 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Small globular, larger and more diffuse than M54 and M70. Nestled just south of a 7th magnitude star


M70
GC-V SGR 29.4 8.1 8 16-May-16 1:22 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1

Very small, dim globular. No stars resolved.


M71
GC-X SGE 13 8.3 7 1-Aug-16 10:40 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear poor average
2 S 7:12 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Cluster showed up as a rather loose globular with a dim core. It barely stands out against the rich field of the Milky Way.


M72
GC-IX AQR 54.6 9.4 6 16-Jul-17 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 4 mostly clear average below average 78 50 R 12:18 AM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 At 87.5x it appeared as a small fuzzy round patch with a fairly bright central core. No stars were resolved at this magnification.


M73
AS AQR 2.5 9.3 1 1-Aug-17 2:00 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 4 mostly clear average above average 55 70 S 1:11 AM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Very small very dim asterism, four stars. Three stars forming triangle with fourth star off center inside of the triangle. I sketched this asterism and surrounding stars for comparison to photo images confirming observation.


M74
SG PSC 32000 9.2 10 x 9 31-Oct-16 8:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 high cirrus fair average
1 S 6:53 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Very dim, fairly large face on spiral galaxy, barely visible as fuzzy patch with slightly brighter core.


M75
GC-I SGR 67.5 8.6 6 16-Jul-17 11:40 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 4 mostly clear average below average 78 1 R 12:18 AM Obsession 15UC, 21 mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 A small, dim, round fuzzy patch, much larger than an out of focus star. I hesitate to estimate its apparent diameter, but it's possibly a bit smaller and a lot dimmer than M75. No stars were resolved at this magnification.


M76 Little Dumbbell PN PER 2.5 11 2 X 1 31-Oct-16 9:20 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 high cirrus fair average
1 S 6:53 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Very small and dim planetary nebula. Elongated on north-south axis, nearly rectangular. Brighter at both ends, giving it dumbbell shape.


M77
SG CET 47000 8.8 7 x 6 31-Oct-16 9:35 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 high cirrus fair average
1 S 6:53 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Very small and faint spiral galaxy, slightly brighter core. Looks like out of focus star.


M78
BN ORI 1.6 8 8 x 6 28-Dec-15 8:30 PM San Jose, New Mexico 6264 3 clear average average 81 88 R 7:34 PM Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars, Celestron 130AZ 20 2.9 Two little fuzzy clouds, very dim. It took me several attempts to finally observe this reflection nebula. I had the correct location, but it is so dim it is only visible under the darkest skies.


M79
GC-V LEP 41 8 9 26-Dec-16 10:00 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% cloud cvr 4 of 5 5 of 5 62 6 R 4:40 AM Obsession 15UC, 13mm Televue Ethos 141 0.7 Definitely a globular with perhaps 15 stars resolved melting into a bright central core. Reobservation, originally 2/14/16 Kanarraville UT, Celestron @ 38X…improperly documented.


M80
GC-I SCO 82.6 7.2 9 16-May-16 1:50 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5  5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Small globular cluster, pretty bright, very bright core. Hint of stars resolved, would benefit from higher magnification and darker sky. Easy to find, midway between Antares and Graffias.


M81 Bode's Nebula SG UMA 11800 6.8 28 X 14 24-Feb-16 7:30 PM Wells NV 5679 2 clear average above average 79 96 R 8:31 PM Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars 20 2.9 In 20x binoculars, small hazy patch. Subsequent observations under hight power, round patch with slightly brighter core. At lower magnifications, in same field of view as M82


M82 Cigar Galaxy IG UMA 11400-12400 8.4 11 X 5 24-Feb-16 7:30 PM Wells NV 5679 2 clear average above average 79 96 R 8:31 PM Zhumell 20x80 Binoculars 20 2.9 In 20x binoculars, fuzzy line. Higher magnification reveals needle shaped edge on galaxy with hint of dark lane.


M83
SG HYA 15200 8 11 X 10 13-Jun-17 10:35 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Very faint slightly oval cloud with bright stellar central core. Just visible in finder scope.


M84
EG VIR 54000 9.3 5 X 4 24-May-17 10:00 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Small round hazy patch, like an out of focus star with a bright stellar central core. Nearly identical to nearby M86


M85
EG COM 60000 9.2 7 x 5 2-Jun-16 11:45 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 broken clouds average average 68 new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Small patch of light with bright core, about 3 degrees NNW of 6 Coma Berenices


M86
EG VIR 52000 9.2 7 X 5 24-May-17 10:00 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Small round hazy patch, like an out of focus star with a bright stellar central core. Nearly identical to nearby M84


M87
EG VIR 53500 8.6 7 24-May-17 10:10 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
Another small hazy round patch with bright central stellar core.


M88
SG COM 47000 9.5 7 X 4 13-Jun-17 11:15 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Bright oval hazy patch, slightly brighter core. Nearly in same field of view as M91, only one field away.


M89 Areola Galaxy EG VIR 50000 9.8 4 24-May-17 22:15 Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Small round hazy patch, like an out of focus star with a bright stellar central core. Nearly identical to nearby M84


M90
SG VIR 60000 9.5 9 X 5 24-May-17 22:15 Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear average above average
3 S 6:55 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
Faint oval patch with bright stellar central core.


M91
SG COM 63000 10.2 5 X 4 13-Jun-17 11:15 PM San Rafael Swell Temple Mtn UT 6637 2 mostly clear good above average 16 85 R 11:51 PM Orion XT8, 17 mm Orion Stratus 71 0.9 Dim companion to M88, listed as barred spiral but no details evident. A very dim oval patch about one degree east of M88. Barely visible.


M92
GC HER 26.7 6.5 11 2-Apr-16 11:00 PM Gila Bend, Arizona 1888 4 clear good above average
28 R 2:50 AM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1 Globular cluster, not as large or impressive as M13, but still very nice, many stars resolved, dense white central core.


M93
OC PUP 3.6 6 22 26-Feb-17 7:45 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 10% cloud cvr 3 of 5 4 of 5 23 new new Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Fine wide cluster filling half field of view. At magnification, just stands out over milky way field stars, pops out when scanning scope. At lease two dozen stars resolved, slight east-west elongation.


M94
SG CVN 16000 8.1 11 X 9 24-Apr-16 9:20 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1

Very faint face on spiral , small with bright core


M95
SG LEO 32600 9.7 7 X 5 24-Apr-16 9:50 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1
M95 and M96 in same field of view with 13mm Ethos, M105 just south 1 field away


M96
SG LEO 31000 9.2 7 X 5 24-Apr-16 9:50 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1
95 and M96 in same field of view with 13mm Ethos, M105 just south 1 field away


M97 Owl Nebula PN UMA 2.03 11 3 8-Apr-16 10:55 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 scattered clouds average average 57 3 S 9:16 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Fantastic round nebula, quite large, distinct edges. I could not make out the two dark central patches, the "owl eyes", but still nice.


M98
SG COM 44400 10.1 9 X 3 2-Jun-16 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 broken clouds average average 68 new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Perhaps the nicest (of M98/99/100), an edge on spiral presenting a bright sliver of light.


M99
SG COM 55700 9.8 5 2-Jun-16 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 broken clouds average average 68 new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 M99 was a round patch of light, not as bright as M100 with no discernable core brightness


M100
SG COM 55000 9.4 7 X 6 2-Jun-16 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 broken clouds average average 68 new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
M100 was the brightest of the three clustered around 6 Com. Bright hazy patch.


M101
SG CVN 20900 7.7 27 X26 4-Apr-16 9:10 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm TeleVue Ethos 92 1.1
Very large, very dim patch of light with no definition or central core


M102 Spindle Galaxy SG UMA 50000 10.7 5 X 2 4-Jun-16 11:30 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 2 mostly clear fair average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 92 1.1 Ambiguous Messier listing, NGC5866 possibly what Charles saw. Very nice fuzzy needle of light with hint of dust lane.


M103
OC CAS 10 7 6 31-Oct-16 9:45 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 high cirrus fair average
1 S 6:53 PM Obsession 15UC, 21mm Televue Ethos 87.5 1.1 Triangular shape cluster, shape determined by three brighter stars. Double star at apex of triangle. Red giant or carbon star close to center of triangular asterism. Perhaps 15-20 stars resolved.


M104 Sombrero Galaxy SG VIR 31100 8.3 9 X 4 4-Apr-16 9:30 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Edge on spiral galaxy, very dark dust lane across whole object visible with averted vision


M105
EG LEO 32000 9.3 5 X 4 24-Apr-16 9:50 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1
In same FOV as M95 and M96, small fuzzy patch with bright core.


M106
SG CVN 23700 8.3 18 X 8 4-Apr-16 9:15 PM Eden, Texas 1759 2 clear steady above average
11 S 5:14 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1

Oval patch with bright central core


M107
GC OPH 20.9 8.1 10 16-May-16 2:05 AM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 blowing dust 2 of 5 5 of 5 11 67 S 3:28 AM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Very dim and diffuse globular cluster. At center of kite shaped asterism.


M108
SG UMA 45000 10.7 8 x 2 8-Apr-16 10:52 PM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 scattered clouds average average 57 3 S 9:16 PM Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3
Edge on spiral galaxy, rather small sliver of light, brighter in the middle


M109
SG UMA 83500 9.8 8 X 5 24-Apr-16 9:00 PM Granite Gap, New Mexico 4350 2 clear above average above average 19 94 R 10:12 PM Orion XT8, 13mm Televue Ethos 92 1.1 Fuzzy oval patch, medium size. Faint core. Hint of 4 or 5 tiny high magnitude stars within patch.


M110 Andromeda Satellite EG? AND 2674 8 17 x 10 4-Jul-16 1:00 AM Deer Trail, Colorado 5138 3 mostly clear
average above average
new new Obsession 15UC, 31mm Televue Nagler 59 1.3 Dim and quite large fuzzy oval patch just north of visible patch of Andromeda. What I thought was M110 earlier is actually M32. Confusion was due to the fact that much of the Andromeda disc is not visible visually but only in long exposure photo images.
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