Sombrero Galaxy

[briangk_77]

Have been wanting to see the Sombrero Galaxy (M104) for a while, finally saw it last night. For those living near 40 deg N latitude, it is in a pretty good position in the SE sky at prime hours.

I have to say - I think my recent successes with finding galaxies and other fainter objects has been:
1. Upgraded from Sirius Plossls to Baader Hyperions
2. Upgraded from prism star diagonal to WO Dielectric Mirror Diagonal
3. Practice and getting better at polar alignment and using setting circles

As is now customary, when I find an object that has escaped me for some time, I go into my house, grab a beer, come back out, and continue to admire it while having a brew. I like to celebrate the photons that took 50 million years to reach my eyes.

[Dublin sky watch]

Congratulations to you Brian. Am going to go after this one at first opportunity I get. Did you see it from a dark location? How bad is the LP in your area Brian?
Again well done.

[briangk_77]

I live in moderate light pollution - maybe 20km from a major city (Cincinnati, OH). I viewed it from home looking in a direction away from the city. Like I said, before I upgraded my equipment I could not find such things. Now, they are faint but I can definitely find them.

Nice thing about Sunday though was the moon had already set for my viewing - hopefully you have the same situation when you get a chance to look for it.

Cheers,
Brian

[genesbrown]

Hi Brian:

Using my 10in Newt, I caught the Sombrero myself Monday (4/19) myself using setting circles and a finderscope printout from Stellarium. It was very nice.

Congrats on bagging that galaxy!

Gene

[Lenbo]

Congrats on the Sombrero Brian. I managed to get it last year working in my orange zone here in eastern Pa. A thin line with a dot in the center was the best I could do at the time. I need to go back and try again with the 8" reflector.

[PBalu]

Congratulations on finding the galaxy. I was out last night trying to find it but the LP is just too bad in my area.