Messier 106 (M 106)

Introduction | Map | Find/Identify | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the spiral galaxy M 106 (and the small spiral galaxy NGC 4248) in the constellation Canes Venatici.

Introduction

According to Stoyan, the spiral galaxy M 106 in the constellation Canes Venatici can be seen in the smallest binoculars and is an easy object for small telescopes. This is probably true only for dark skies, because I had trouble to recognize this object in the telescope at all. For the eVscope, however, this galaxy was not a problem. In addition, on some of my photos, I found the small spiral galaxy NGC 4248 close to a star.

M 106		NGC 4248
Size: 8' x 3.5' / 12' (Stoyan/Karkoschka) Distance: 32 million light years (Stoyan) Rating: ** (Stoyan)		Size: 2' x 0.9' (SkySafari) Distance: 36 million light years (SkySafari) Rating: ---

Map

The spiral galaxy M 106 is located in constellation Canes Venatici, but is easiest to find from the Big Dipper (see further down). (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

The spiral galaxy M 106 in constellation Canes Venatici with its neighboring galaxy NGC 4248 (selected; image created with Stellarium)

Find/Identify

Find: The spiral galaxy M 106 in constellation Canes Venatici is easiest to find from the Big Dipper. I imagine a line between the two stars Dubhe and Phecda in constellation Ursa Major (or asterism Big Dipper) , and if you continue this line for about the same distance, you will arrive at M 106.

Identify: If the spiral galaxy M 104 in the constellation Canes Venatici was found in the way as described above, it is also identified, because it stands relatively alone.

My Best Own Photos

eVscope


M 106 - May 5, 2020; with NGC 4248	M 106 - May 5, 2020, processed; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Mar 6, 2021	M 106 - Mar 6, 2021	M 106 - Jun 1, 2021; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 106 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 106 - Jun 1, 2021, photo on top processed (Polarr); with NGC 4248

My Own Observations

Observation May 2017

May 15, 16, 20, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount): M 106 found, faint glow?

Observations March to June 2020

March 15 and 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed, better on March 23
April 21, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed; found NGC 4248.
May 5, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay; nearly full moon; saw NGC 4248.
June 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed (n.o., r.f.); saw NGC 4248.

Observations September 2020

September 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed (n.o., r.f.); saw NGC 4248.

Observations March to June 2021

March 6, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed (n.o., r.f.), manually exposed
June 1, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 106 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; saw NGC 4248.

References

Messier Catalogue - Messier 106: messier.seds.org/m/m106.html
NGC 4248 (Wikipedia): de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4248

On this Site

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope


M 106 - Mar 15, 2020	M 106 - Mar 23, 2020	M 106 - Apr 21, 2020; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Mar 15, 2020, photo on top processed	M 106 - Mar 23, 2020, photo on top processed	M 106 - Apr 21, 2020, photo on top processed; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Apr 21, 2020; with NGC 4248	M 106 - Apr 21, 2020, photo left processed; with NGC 4248

M 106 - May 5, 2020; with NGC 4248	M 106 - May 5, 2020, photo left processed; with NGC 4248	M 106 - May 5, 2020, processed; arrow points to NGC 4248

M 106 - May 5, 2020; with NGC 4248	M 106 - May 5, 2020, photo left processed; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Sep 8, 2020; with NGC 4248	M 106 - Sep 8, 2020, photo left processed; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Mar 6, 2021	M 106 - Mar 6, 2021	M 106 - Jun 1, 2021; with NGC 4248

M 106 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 106 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 106 - Jun 1, 2021, photo on top processed (Polarr); with NGC 4248