(IAAC) Obj: Andromeda Galaxy (M31), M32, M110 - Inst: 102mm f6, 6 refractor & 7*50 binoculars

[anonymous at u15354731.onlinehome-server.com]

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Observation Poster: Jose Ramon <scorpiusob1 at hotmail.com>

Observer: Jose Ramon
Your skills: Intermediate (some years)
Date/time of observation: August 11, 2010 (00:13 UT)
Location of site: Puerto de Tarna, Asturias (Spain) (Lat 43°05&#8242;06&#8243;N, Elev 1499 meters)
Site classification: Rural
Sky darkness: 3 <Bortle Scale (9 worst)>
Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 102mm f6,6 refractor & 7*50 binoculars
Magnification: *23
Filter(s): None
Object(s): Andromeda Galaxy (M31), M32, M110
Category: External galaxy.
Class: Sb type spiral. Larguest and brightest member of the Local Group.
Constellation: And
Data: mag 4.36  size 190' * 60'
Position: RA 00h:43m  DEC 41°:16'
Description:
Or as I affectionately call her: "The Lady of Fall".

Observed when she was quite high in the sky. With binos, the view was truly
impressive, looking like a miniature -and featureless- version of what can be
seen on pictures; roughly 2 degrees across and her companions M32 and M110
clearly seen.

With the scope, she was a bit smaller -1,5 degrees- more extended on her SW
region than on her NE one. The disk appeared much fainter and diffuse than the
bulge and the dust lane in front of the nucleus was -with some difficulty- seen
and how it turned to the SW part of the disk to finally dissapear. 
On its SW extreme and with averted vision it was possible to see NGC 206 as a
faint but denser patch of light. M32 and M110, finally, visible with no
difficulties.

The most spectacular view of Andromeda I've ever seen, used to see just the
bulge -or very little more- from my habitual observing places; this IS a galaxy.
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