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Messier 61

Messier 61 in Virgo

Spiral galaxy M61 (Swelling Spiral NGC 4303)

Visual magnitude ~ 9.7

Dimensions ~ 6.0' x 5.9'

Distance ~ 53.5 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "See winter's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 51(2), February 2023, pp. 24-27.
  2. "The determined observer's guide to M101", Howard Banich, Sky & Telescope 125(6), June 2013, pp. 38-41.

Logbook

Date & Time: April 8, 2026, 9:40 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 2°C

Sunset: 7:53 pm

Moon Phase: Last quarter (64%)

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & tank power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 62

Messier 62 in Ophiuchus

Globular cluster M62 (Flickering Globular NGC 6266)

Visual magnitude ~ 6.7

Diameter ~ 14'

Distance ~ 22,200 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

...

MESSIER 63

Messier 63 in Canes Venatici

Spiral galaxy M63 (Sunflower Galaxy NGC 5055)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.6

Dimensions ~ 13.5' x 8.3'

Distance ~ 27 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "Hunt the deep sky in the Hunting Dogs", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 47(4), April 2019, pp. 54-55.

Logbook

Date & Time: July 18, 2025, 11:09 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 22°C

Sunset: 8:59 pm

Moon Phase: Last quarter (39%)

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 64

Messier 64 in Coma Berenices

Spiral galaxy M64 (Black Eye Galaxy NGC 4826)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.5

Dimensions ~ 9.2' x 4.6'

Distance ~ 17 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.

Logbook

Date & Time: June 27, 2025, 12:45 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, humid, 15°C

Sunset: 9:08 pm

Moonset: 10:46 pm

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (3%)

Technical: 1 hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 65 & 66

Messier 65 in Leo

Spiral galaxies M65 (NGC 3623) and M66 (NGC 3627)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.8 and ~ 8.9

Dimensions ~ 8.7' x 2.2' and ~ 8.2' x 3.9'

Distance ~ 41 million and ~ 33 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "The legs of the Lion", Ken Hewitt-White, Sky & Telescope 149(3), March 2025, pp. 55-57.
  2. "Target 10 galaxy groups", Alan Goldstein, Astronomy 51(5), May 2023, pp. 40-43.
  3. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
  4. "Backyard astronomy with a small scope", Kevin Ritschel, Astronomy 49(6), June 2021, pp. 40-45.
  5. "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.

Logbook

Date & Time: April 8, 2026, 10:16 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 2°C

Sunset: 7:53 pm

Moon Phase: Last quarter (64%)

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & tank power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 67

Messier 67 in Cancer

Open cluster M67 (NGC 2682)

Visual magnitude ~ 6.0

Diameter ~ 25'

Distance ~ 2,600 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "The outer limits universe", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 47(6), June 2019, pp. 44-49.

Logbook

Date & Time: September 21, 2025, 4:54 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 7°C

Sunset: 7:18 pm

Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)

Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 68

Messier 68 in Hydra

Globular cluster M68 (NGC 4590)

Visual magnitude ~ 7.6

Diameter ~ 11'

Distance ~ 33,600 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: April 9, 2026, 1:15 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 2°C

Sunset: 7:53 pm

Moon Phase: Last quarter (64%)

Technical: 15-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & tank power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 69

Messier 69 in Sagittarius

Globular cluster M69 (NGC 6637)

Visual magnitude ~ 7.4

Diameter ~ 10'

Distance ~ 28,700 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: September 22, 2025, 8:14 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 14°C

Sunset: 7:14 pm

Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)

Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 70

Messier 70 in Sagittarius

Globular cluster M70 (NGC 6681)

Visual magnitude ~ 7.8

Diameter ~ 8'

Distance ~ 29,300 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: September 22, 2025, 8:26 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 14°C

Sunset: 7:14 pm

Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)

Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 71

Messier 71 in Sagitta

Globular cluster M71 (NGC 6838)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.0

Diameter ~ 7'

Distance ~ 13,000 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.

Logbook

Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 1:24 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, humid, 24°C

Sunset: 9:08 pm

Moonset: 9:04 pm

Moon Phase: New Moon (0%)

Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 72

Messier 72 in Aquarius

Globular cluster M72 (NGC 6981)

Visual magnitude ~ 9.2

Diameter ~ 7'

Distance ~ 55,400 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 1:10 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C

Sunset: 8:51 pm

Moonset: 10.05 pm

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)

Technical: 1-hr & 4-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 73

Messier 73 in Aquarius

Asterism M73 (NGC 6994)

Visual magnitude ~ 9.7

Diameter ~ 1.4'

Distance ~ Unknown


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 2:20 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C

Sunset: 8:51 pm

Moonset: 10.05 pm

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)

Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 74

Messier 74 in Pisces

Spiral galaxy M74 (The Phantom NGC 628)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.5

Dimensions ~ 11.0' x 11.0'

Distance ~ 30 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "Mastering the Messier marathon", Jan Hattenbach and Ronald Stoyan, Sky & Telescope 149(4), April 2025, pp. 20-27.
  2. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.

Logbook

Date & Time: August 3, 2025, 1:36 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 9°C

Sunset: 8:42 pm

Moonset: 12:19 am

Moon Phase: First quarter (64%)

Moonrise: 3:37 pm

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 75

Messier 75 in Sagittarius

Globular cluster M75 (NGC 6864)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.6

Diameter ~ 7'

Distance ~ 68,200 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "Survivors from the Milky Way's birth", Rod Pommier, Astronomy 52(8), August 2024, pp. 22-27.

Logbook

Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 2:46 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C

Sunset: 8:51 pm

Moonset: 10.05 pm

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)

Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 76

Messier 76 in Perseus

Planetary nebula M76 (Little Dumbbell Nebula NGC 650, 651)

Visual magnitude ~ 10.4

Dimensions ~163" x 107"

Distance ~ 3,900 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
  2. "The astrophotography hit parade", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(2), February 2014, pp. 70-74.

Logbook

Date & Time: August 2, 2025, 9:35 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 22°C

Sunset: 8:42 pm

Moonset: 12:19 am

Moon Phase: First quarter (64%)

Moonrise: 3:37 pm

Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

MESSIER 77

Messier 77 in Cetus

Spiral galaxy M77 (NGC 1068)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.9

Dimensions ~ 8.2' x 7.3'

Distance ~ 44 million light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.

Logbook

Date & Time: August 3, 2025, 2:11 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 9°C

Sunset: 8:42 pm

Moonset: 12:19 am

Moon Phase: First quarter (64%)

Moonrise: 3:37 pm

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 78

Messier 78 in Orion

Diffuse nebula M78 (NGC 2068)

Visual magnitude ~ 8.0

Dimensions ~ 8' x 6'

Distance ~ 1,630 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "See winter's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 51(2), February 2023, pp. 24-27.
  2. "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.

Logbook

Date & Time: September 12, 2025, 3:26 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, light breeze, 12°C

Sunset: 7:35 pm (September 11)

Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (77%)

Moonrise: 9:14 pm (September 11)

Technical: 1-hour Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, post-processed using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's photo editing tools

Messier 79

Messier 79 in Lepus

Globular cluster M79 (NGC 1904)

Visual magnitude ~ 7.7

Diameter ~ 10'

Distance ~ 42,100 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.


Image Comparison References

  1. "Survivors from the Milky Way's birth", Rod Pommier, Astronomy 52(8), August 2024, pp. 22-27.
  2. "See winter's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 51(2), February 2023, pp. 24-27.
  3. "Bound across the sky", Phil Harrington, Astronomy 49(2), February 2021, p. 59.
  4. "Enjoy the sky's great globulars", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 48(6), June 2020, pp. 58-63.


Logbook

Date & Time: September 29, 2025, 5:47 am

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, light wind, 13°C

Sunrise: 7:13 am

Moonset: 10:11 pm (September 28)

Moon Phase: First quarter (43%)

Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

Messier 80

Messier 80 in Scorpius

Globular cluster M80 (NGC 6093)

Visual magnitude ~ 7.3

Diameter ~ 10'

Distance ~ 32,600 light-years


Data Reference

The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.

Logbook

Date & Time: June 21, 2025, 11:47 pm

Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N

Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C

Sunset: 9:08 pm

Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)

Moonrise: 2:10 am

Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing

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