| Description | Recorded the same day as 4 objects, M94-M97, on March 24, 1781, a little over two weeks from the 9-object flurry of March 8: "Nebula without star, above the Heart of Charles [alpha Canum Venaticorum], on the parallel of the star no. 8, of sixth magnitude of the Hunting Dogs [Canes Venatici]...: In the center it is brilliant & the nebulosity [is] a bit diffuse. It resembles the nebula which is below Lepus, No. 79; but this on is more beautiful & brighter: M. Méchain has discovered this one on March 22, 1781." (diam. 2.5') <--> This was a tough observing night because of a bright moon roughly 45° away that reduced contrast. The target was below 40° elevation by the end of the capture. This was my second attempt of the night, but the first (Bin 1) was ravaged by 3 satellite trails, the third about 30 pixels thick. So I switched to Bin 2 to speed things up, and started over. I was anxious to complete a reasonable capture (one way or the other) because it was nearly the end of the observing season for this target and I wasn't sure I'd get another chance this year. In the circumstance, I'm reasonably happy with it. In the gallery, you'll also find a wide-field view taken with my Askar V about a year later. M95 is lower left. M96 and M105 are both visible. See SharpCap annotated view following. |
