Sketch of Messier 101 (NGC 5457)
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Observation Notes:
Nearly a year ago, I collaborated with Eric Graff to observe as deep into Messier 101 as we could. I didn't end up completing the observation. Nine months later, I finally got around to it. What a beauty! As usual, it's a subtle beauty, but the compiled moments of structure build up to a spectacular observation. I was pleasantly surprised to find three spiral arms lined up concentrically in the southwest quadrant of the galaxy.
I eventually spotted six H II regions. NGC 5447 was the first one I spotted, at the southern tip of the outer, western arm. It hovered just south of an overlapping field star. NGC 5461 and 5462 showed up next as softly brighter knots in the outlying eastern arm. Along the way, I had already plotted NGC 5455, NGC 5471, and HK 371 as stellar points. After finishing most of the sketch, I went to my Atlas of the Messier Objects (Ronald Stoyan), and compared the sketch to the detailed diagram of M101 in the book. After seeing the last three H II regions plotted as part of my star field, I returned to the eyepiece to examine them a little closer. NGC 5455 and 5471 did indeed have a softer structure, so I adjusted the sketch to convey that. HK 371 appeared stellar no matter what.
The far, outlying northeastern arm was very elusive, but I was able to re-acquire it as it flitted into view periodically. So far, I have not been able to find another sketch that shows this structure—let me know if you run across one!
Object Information:
M101 lies about 24 million light years away and is 170,000 light years in diameter. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.
Sketch/DSS Photo Comparison of Messier 101 (NGC 5457)
| Subject | Messier 101 (NGC 5457) including H II Regions: NGC 5447, NGC 5455, NGC 5461, NGC 5462, NGC 5471, HK 371 | |
| Other Desig. |
Messier 101: NGC 5457, ARP 26, MCG+09-23-028, h 1744, GC 3770, CGCG 272.021, VV 344, VV 456, KARA 610, IRAS 14013+5435, PGC 50063, UGC 8981 NGC 5447: H III-787, GC 3760, GC 3766 NGC 5455: GC 3768 NGC 5461: H III-788, GC 3773, GC 3778 NGC 5462: H III-789, GC 3774, GC 3779 NGC 5471: GC 5757 | |
| Classification* | Galaxy (SBc I) and H II emission nebulae | |
| Position* | Ursa Major [RA: 14:03:12.4 / Dec: +54:20:55] | |
| Size* | 28.8' x 26.9' | |
| Brightness* | Messier 101: 7.5 vMag / 8.0 bMag | |
| Date/Time | February 13, 2010 - 02:30 - 04:30 AM MST (February 13, 2010 - 09:30 - 11:30 UT) | |
| Observing Loc. | Cinder Hills Overlook, Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona | |
| Instrument | Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian (203 mm dia./1200 mm F/L) | |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | Pentax XW10 (120X / 35' TFOV) | |
| Conditions | Clear, cold, breezy | |
| Seeing | 6/10 | |
| Transparency | Mag 7+ | |
| *Sources | NGC/IC Project SEDS |
Jeremy,
I can't believed I missed this post! This is an incredible sketch of M101. You nailed it when compared to the DSS. How do you like the Pentax in the XT8?
If I could ask a question. When you process your sketch do you orient the original sketch so it matches the DSS or do you sketch it that way so north is always on top?
Thank you, Jay. The Pentax XW10 is wonderful in the XT8. 120X (1.7 mm exit pupil) is where I like to do most of my deep sky observing, and the wide field of view combines nicely with the Dob nudging routine. Contrast is very nice too, especially since I've been used to my basic Plössls for so long.
When I sketch, I orient the drawing to what I see through the eyepiece. After scanning, I rotate so that north is up and west is right. My north/west alignment doesn't always match up exactly to the DSS image, so for that side-by-side comparison, I'll rotate my sketch a few degrees left or right to match the DSS for easier comparison.
Jeremy