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(IAAC) Obj: M101 - Inst: 15x70 binoculars
Observer: Rick Margolies
Your skills: Intermediate (some years)
Date/time of observation: 16 Feb 04, 10pm Local
Location of site: Center Ossipee NH USA (Lat 44oN, Elev ?)
Site classification: Rural
Sky darkness: 6.5? <Limiting magnitude>
Transparency: Clear (8/10)
Seeing: Unknown
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 15x70 Binoculars on Manfrotto 3030 photo-tripod
Magnification: 15x
Filter(s): none
Object(s): M101
Category: External galaxy.
Class: SAB(rs)cd I
Constellation: UMa
Data: mag 7.9; size 29x27
Position: 140312.9 +542103
Description:
I didn't calculate my limiting magnitude but I'm sure it
was easily 6+, and the CSC light pollution map categorizes
the area as 3 on the Bortle Scale (at least mag 6.5).
--
Highlight of my night. I've seen this galaxy once from home,
at zenith with averted vision in my XT8. (And my neck still
hurts!) But tonight, I followed the chain of stars from Mizar
and bang!, not quite as bright as Comet 2002 T7 [which Rick
also observed on this night], but easy still. I was shocked...
A beautiful diffuse ball, round and about 20' in diameter.
I was so stunned I kept sneaking back for glimpses all night
and all week.
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