Messier objects

[selvananthini]

Messier objects??can you explain them.I have 8 * 56 bino.can i find them with this?

[neal_mlc]

The first thing I would do is download Stellarium if you haven't done so already. This software will help you locate them (and other DSOs as well). Next look them up in wikipedia, here you can find out what each one is and what it looks like. Good hunting!

[jproffitt1]

Your binoculars are capable of allowing you to see many of the Messier Objects, how many really depends on you and your observation techniques more so than the binoculars.

[bradford]

Messier objects are largely objects that Charles Messier cataloged during the late 1700's while he was searching for comets. Charles did not necessarily discover these objects, but he was one of the first to catalog deep space objects. He did this so he would not confuse them with comets he was trying to discover, so the list of Messier objects are literally objects of things he didn't want to look at. As he was in France, most of the objects are appropriate for much of Europe, the United States, and most places in the northern hemisphere. Many of the objects are wonderful to look at, but I find that many of the open clusters are a bit dull. At least one object doesn't actually exist, and another is only 4 stars. As these were some of the first, widely accepted deep space objects using early telescopes, they are great objects for beginners with less expensive equipment, and as previously stated, many objects may be seen with binoculars. There are many different ways to locate objects in the sky. As some have suggested, there are many free planetarium programs that may be downloaded, but I find them to not be very useful in the field. For field usage, Sky and Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is very cheap and great for all levels of experience. I have also found free sky charts to download and print. I also encourage you to look up the M objects on the internet, books, Stellarium, etc. so you can know what to expect, however, very good astrophotography images do not represent what you will actually see in the eyepiece. I have also personally met Brother Guy, co-author of Turn Left at Orion, which is a perfect book to help you accomplish what you are asking. Clear skies and good luck!

[j.gardavsky]

Originally Posted by selvananthini

Messier objects??can you explain them.I have 8 * 56 bino.can i find them with this?

Hello Selvananthiny,

nice to see an astronomer with 8x56 binocular - enjoy it.

Some 30 Messiers should be easy to fix throughout one year, or even faster.
I'd recommend to start with the 'naked eye' ones,

[Registered users can see links. ]

Best

JG

[Maverick199]

Most of the open clusters are within 4-6 mag. range which should be doable. However, don't expect to see huge fields of stars but rather a 'sprinkling of stars' which in itself is a treat to watch.

By next month end, Southern skies will be sprinkled with cluster after cluster. Try to remember the location of the star 'Shaula' to help you with this.

[Jake Hairrell]

According to the Astronomical League, the following Messier objects should be more or less easily visible with your binoculars:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 67, 92, 93, 103.

You can look up the locations of these objects on Stellarium or other sources. The rest of the Messier objects will be difficult, but a grand total of 76 of the 110 are advertised by the AL to be possible, assuming you have dark enough skies. Check out the Astro League Binocular Messier website for details:

[Registered users can see links. ]

Happy hunting!

[jimg@sonic.net]

Originally Posted by selvananthini

I have 8 * 56 bino.can i find them with this?

Find M31 and M13 in Stellarium. M31 in the early evening will be visible and M13 in the late late night, early morning the next day will be visible.

[dgwilde]

After you've figured out the star charts and foundthe brighter and larger Messiers, look into a photo tripod and binocular mount. You'll be able to steady the binoculars better than hand holding them, and see some of the dimmer and smaller. Also, take your time observing the objects. The idea is not to just check them off on a list, but to enjoy everything they have to offer. Notice the shape and different levels of contrast and nebulosity in objects like M42, the Great Orion Nebula, or the inteesting shapes of the star clusters along with the different colors of their stars. There's so much to see.
Have fun!