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(IAAC) OBJ:Virgo Pt.2 m84 m86 m90 m91 m89 m88 m98 m100 m64 INST: 18" f/4.2



Observer:  Todd Gross
Your skill:  Intermediate - Many years
Date and UT of observation: 3/20/99 07:15 GMT
Location & latitude: 22 mi. West of Boston, Ma. 42.3N
Site classification: Suburban
Limiting magnitude (visual): approx. 5.2 zenith 
Seeing (1 to 10 - worst-best): 5 to 6
Moon up (phase?): No
Weather: Crystal Clear
Instrument: 18" f/4.2 fl=1925mm Newt 
Magnifications: Various 71-213x
Filters used: none
Object: All messier Objects - Part 2
Constellations: Virgo
Object data: Galaxies
Size(s): various
Position: 
Magnitude:  
Personal "rating" (at this aperture, and sky condition): Mostly B-
(see details)

Went specifically after Messiers this time around.. any NGC objects
are coincidental. Will take a look at this in two parts. This is part 2.
Virgo cluster includes Coma Berenices. Seems I skipped M99, and on the 
outskirts.. M61 and M53 - will tackle next time (part 3). These
are brief descriptions, just quick peeks.. like a mini-marathon.


M84 and M86 were two round ellipticals, bright (high sfc brightness)
peering at me like two eyes - they look like twins   B+/C-

M90 differed from much of the group. A long and large oblong 
(surfboard shaped?) galaxy with a truly star-like center, much
brighter than the rest of the galaxy from a sfc. brightness 
standpoint  B/B-

M81 small, and round, C-

M89 large, round blob  C/C-

M88 Complex.. elongated, large, brighter towards middle and flatter
on one side. Two foreground stars at off top edge, one off bottom. 
shaped somewhat like a radar dish   B-/C+

M98 Edge on or highly elongated.. Partially obstructed from view. 
Long, and bland with foreground star off one end. B-/C+

M100 Large, round and flat with brighter center. large.  C+

M85 Very small round elliptical , bright C-

M64 Outstanding galaxy like the pictures. Medium-large oval shaped
spiral. Could clearly make out it's "tilt", it's separated bright
core within the spiral , and a horse-shoe (boomerang) shaped broad
dark lane just outside of the center (long-ways) that reached almost
180 degrees around the core.  A-



thanks! 
-Todd

Boston Meteorologist Todd Gross
toddg@weatherman.com
http://www.weatherman.com
(617)725-0777


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