Galaxies Special

April 25th and 26th - Special weekend of observing galaxies.

During the spring months of April, May and June, the night sky is filled with galaxies, offering a spectacle for both professional and amateur astronomers.

This period is sometimes called "galaxy season" in the Northern Hemisphere due to the favorable positioning of the Milky Way, which allows a clearer view of neighboring galaxies.

One of the most interesting pairs of galaxies to observe is the Bode galaxy M81 and the Cigar galaxy M82, two galaxies located about 12 million light years away that are on a collision course and are easily observable through medium-large aperture telescopes.

Another famous galaxy group is the Leo Triplet, made up of M65, M66 and the hamburger galaxy NGC 3628. Together, these galaxies form a beautiful cluster to observe. The Leo Triplet is an excellent example of how galaxies can interact and influence each other in a group located 35 million light-years away from Earth.

The Virgo galaxy cluster is also a highlight of the galaxy season, containing thousands of galaxies. This cluster is one of the densest and closest, providing an excellent opportunity to observe the Markarian Chain. Key galaxies here include M84, M86 and M87, the latter known for its supermassive black hole, whose image was published in 2019.

The Sombrero Galaxy M104 is also well positioned for observation, appearing almost edge-on, resembling a sombrero hat. The Whirlpool Galaxy M51 and the Pinwheel Galaxy, both in Ursa Major, are galaxies with a spiral structure easily detectable through a 14-inch telescope.

During this period, the key to observing galaxies is light pollution. Given the low contrast of galaxies in the sky, a dark sky is crucial, and it is crucial to avoid days with the Moon in the sky.