| Object/type: | M 104 / Spiral Galaxy |
| mag/dia/dist: | 8.0,SB:11.6 / 8.7' X 3.5' / 50,000,000 ly |
| constellation: | Virgo |
| date/time/place: | Mar 17, 02 / 02:30 / Bangkok |
| trans'y/seeing/l-poll: | medium / medium / medium |
| telescope: | newtonian 4.5" f8.8 |
| eyepieces/power: | 25mm / 40x |
| sky atlas page: | 14 |
Observing details: Starting star hopping from Spica in Virgo Confirm the orientation by stars 82,76 & 68. Hop to star 49-->40-->star mag6.0-->double star mag5.0-->two stars mag5.5-->double star mag6.0-->hop by eyepiece, scan for three pointer stars which can be appeared in the same \ FOV of eyepiece (1.25 degree). The pointer stars pointed to two stars mag9.0 (don't show in skyatlas, confirm location with redshift 3), M104 located at one corner of imaginary triangle comprise by two stars mag9.0 and M104 itself. M104 appeared as a small smudge of light, very unstable, used avert vision, LPR filter slightly helped to enhance its appearance. This session was successed after 2-3 failed new moon sessions. It couldn't be seen as oval shape any more. But at Kirdkao observatory, it clearly appeared as oval sombrero shape, however didn't see the dark lane (Mak 6", f12, 69x)
Refer to text: very bright, very large, elongated, with a prominent dark lane, large nucleus bulge, extend 100,000 ly
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