Messier 108 (M 108)

Introduction | Map | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the barred spiral galaxy M 108 (NGC 3556) in the constellation Ursa Major.

Introduction

The galaxy M 108 in the constellation Ursa Major is a barred spiral galaxy that is nearly seen edge-on. Close to it, there is the planetary nebula M 97 (Owl Nebula). In the Vespera (Pro), both DSO can be observed jointly.

M 108 (NGC 3556)		M 97 (Owl Nebula; NGC 3587)
Size: 5' x 1.5' (Stoyan) Distance: 45 million light years (Stoyan) Rating: ** (Stoyan)		Size: 3.3' (Stoyan) Distance: 1,300 light years (Stoyan) Rating: ** (Stoyan)

Map

The barred spiral galaxy M 108 in the constellation Ursa Major (close to M 97) (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Best Own Photos

eVscope


M 108 - March 6, 2021	M 108 - March 6, 2021	M 108 - March 6, 2021

M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed

M 108 - Jun 1, 021	M 108 - Jun 1, 2021, photo left processed (Polarr)

Vespera

M 108 & M 97 , Aug 28, 2022 - original (61 frames = 610s)

Vespera Pro


M 108 & M 97, May 22, 2024 - 2000p (54 frames = 540s)		M 108 & M 97, May 22, 2024 - 2000p (54 frames = 540s), processed

M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s)		M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s), processed (PSE)

M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s), additionally denoised (DN)

My Own Observations

Observations March to June 2020

March 14 and 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed, better on March 23.
April 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed, somewhat fuzzy.
April 21, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed.
May 5, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay at nearly full moon.
June 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed (n.o., r.f.).

Observations March to June 2021

March 6, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed (n.O., r.F.), exposed manually
June 1, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 108 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing.

Observations April to May 2022

April 9, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope 2): M 108 photographed (app version 1.5)
April 10, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope 2): M 108 photographed (app version 1.5)
May 6, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Atik Infinity, PS72): M 108 photographed (was not able to photograph it together with M 97).

Observations August 2022

August 28, 2022 (Sumène/France: Vespera): M 108 photographed together with M 97.

Observations May 2024

May 22, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 108 and M 97 photographed, poor and noisy; aborted after 9 minutes because of clouds
May 25, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 108 and M 97 photographed (25 min)

References

Messier Catalogue - Messier 108: messier.seds.org/m/m108.html
Messier 108 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_108
Messier 97 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_97, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl_Nebula

On this Site

Appendix: My Own Photos

Atik Infinity


M 108 - May 6, 2022		M 108 - May 6, 2022, processed

eVscope


M 108 - Mar 14, 2020	M 108 - Mar 23, 2020	M 108 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy

M 108 - Mar 14, 2020, photo on top processed	M 108 - Mar 23, 2020, photo on top processed	M 108 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy, photo on top processed

M 108 - Apr 21, 2020	M 108 - May 5, 2020	M 108 - Jun 12, 2020

M 108 - Apr 21, 2020, photo on top processed	M 108 - May 5, 2020, photo on top processed	M 108 - Jun 12, photo on top 2020, processed

M 108 - March 6, 2021	M 108 - March 6, 2021	M 108 - March 6, 2021

M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 108 - March 6, 2021, photo on top processed

M 108 - Jun 1, 2021	M 108 - Jun 1, 2021, photo left processed (Polarr)

eVscope 2


M 108 - Apr 9, 2022		M 108 - Apr 9, 2022, photo left processed

M 108 - Apr 9, 2022		M 108 - Apr 9, 2022, photo left processed

Vespera

M 108 & M 97, Aug 28, 2022 - original (61 frames = 610 seconds)

Vespera Pro


M 108 & M 97, May 22, 2024 - 2000p (54 frames = 540s)		M 108 & M 97, May 22, 2024 - 2000p (54 frames = 540s), processed

M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s)		M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s), processed (PSE)

M 108 & M 97, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (150 frames = 1500s), additionally denoised (DN)