Spiral Galaxies and Globulars

3/19/09
8:45pm-9:24pm CST
Clear
5-10 mph winds
27 degree temp

I viewed M53 in Coma Berenices, an 8.5 magnitude Globular Cluster using a 10mm eyepiece. M3 through a 10mm eyepiece was probably the most impressive object found tonight: At magnitude 6.5 this Globular Cluster found in Canes Venatici . M3 was a very pronounced dusty sphere of about 500,000 stars. I also viewed M94 considered a spiral galaxy but also cataloged as an elongated galaxy. At magnitude 9.5 this object was more or less a dusty sphere – no spiral construction was determined. I Cataloged HIP62700 as a reference star near by in Canes Venatici. M94 was best seen using a 5mm eyepiece. I also viewed M106 in Ursa Major, another dusty and dim Spiral Galaxy. Best seen using a 10mm eyepiece this object has a 9.5 magnitude. Saturn was very impressive tonight in the East, North East sky – The rings are still edge on and several moons where visible. Using a 5mm eyepiece, I was able to make out cloud bands and some interesting ring detail.