M31 Conundrum

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votefornimitz

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Ok, so I am trying to find M31 (slowly whittling away at the more well known Messier Objects) and I can't seem to find it....<br />Extensive binocular search (while lying flat on my back) just south of Cassiopeia revealed nothing that stuck out...<br />Granted m31 is Magnitude 6+, I was under the impression that I would be able to locate it with binoculars, but no luck. Chances are I am seeing it a not recognizing it, so if any of you have any descriptive information, it would be appreciated... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <span style="color:#993366">In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves...</span> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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"see it" and "see it" are two different things.<br /><br />Through binoculars, you probably won't see much beyond a fuzzy little ball most of the time. Under really dark skies - you might see a bit of glow of the arms.<br /><br />This 10sec (5" scope, bright skies) exposure is probably closer to what I see through really good binoculars (this is m31, m32, m110) under really dark skies.<br /><br />http://www.jlrdesigns.com/astrophotography/M31-M32-M110/M31-M32-M110.jpg <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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votefornimitz

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I knew I could count on a response from you...<br />I spotted something that looked similar through my binoculars, but was unable to investigate it due to the difficulty in using my finder scope at that angle (I'd have to be in a very strange, almost flat on my back position)<br /><br />I'm going to buy a friends reflector scope with a broken computer to see if that makes looking at objects at that altitude slightly easier... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <span style="color:#993366">In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves...</span> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> @ count on a response from moi. <br /><br />Firstly - what make/model binocs? There's all kindsa trick ways to tripod mount them<br /><br />2. Wait until Andromeda is dipping lower in the sky. That's what I do.<br /><br />3. What kinda scope with a broken computer? I've junked many of those 'puters and interfaced 'em to laptops and settops. Let's getcha goin' on a goto scope tied into Stellarium! <br /><br />[edit] and what's wrong with laying on your back on a quiet night with a pair of binoculars trained on the heavens? Have I spend many a misguided youthful summer doing something wrong? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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votefornimitz

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#1. I'm not even sure of the binocs, there so old that the platsic lettering on the side is almost completely off. Each of the lense doesn't seem aligned with the other, so looking through both yields a double image, so I use only the right lens, and it works for what I use it for (scouting around looking for anything resembling and open cluster.) Needless to say, this Christmas is likely bringing a new pair...<br /><br />#2. I'm going to have to wait <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> ?<br /><br />#3. A Meade Telestar 114mm (4.5") Altazimuth Reflector<br />MODEL DS-2114ATS-TC. <br /><br />Despite having the best view (light pollution wise) in town, he stopped using it the second the computer system crapped out...Depressing really... His loss is my gain though.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <span style="color:#993366">In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves...</span> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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That scope is easy to move over to PC control, cheap to replace the hand controller (~$25ish used), and easy/cheap to replace the motors if they're fried. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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votefornimitz

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Thanks, as soon as I get a hold of it (to make sure all the necessary features are functioning as they should) I'll let you know exactly whats wrong with it...<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <span style="color:#993366">In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves...</span> </div>
 
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dragon04

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I know this is off topic, but seeing the thread title reminded me.<br /><br />Why is there no Messier or NGC designation for <b>our</b> galaxy? Or is there, and I've just missed it my entire life? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Well, there's no Messier number because the list he created was specifically a list of objects that could be confused with comets.<br />It would be hard to confuse the Milky Way (especially before widespread light pollution) with a comet <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />As for the NGC, I don't know whether there is or not. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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dragon04

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<font color="yellow">As for the NGC, I don't know whether there is or not.</font><br /><br />If YOU don't know, then there probably is not. I just find that deliciously ironic considering our penchance to categorize and number things.<br /><br />After Googling, I can tell you that the MW is not NGC1 - NGC999.<br /><br />Therefore, I propose that the MW Galaxy be designated NGC0. Or NGCO. O for our Origin.<br /><br />Who do I petition for this? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>
 
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