The globular cluster M3 located in the constellation Canes Venatici was the first object in the Messier catalog to be discovered by Charles Messier himself. It is known to contain over 500,000 stars. At magnitude of 6.2 it can be spotted using binoculars. Be warned that is in an isolated spot and sometimes is difficult to find the first time around.
M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy located approximately 23 million light-years from Earth also in Canes Venatici. The galaxy and its companion, NGC 5195 are easily observed by amateur astronomers. It shines at 9th magnitude.
M81 and M82 are a pair of interacting galaxies in Ursa Major. M81, Bode's Galaxy lies at about 12 million light years away giving us a bright magnitude of 6.9. Also at 12 million light years away is the Cigar Galaxy or M82. This galaxy is edge-on and shines at magnitude 8.5. I have seen some mottling with my 12 1/2" dob at high power. Both seen together in the same field of view is something to behold.
M63 or the Sunflower Galaxy is a spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici with an apparent magnitude of 9.3 and appears as a faint patch of light in small telescopes. A nice view in my 12 1/2" with a 14mm eyepiece. The best time to observe M63 is during May.
M64 or the Black Eye Galaxy is a spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices that is tilted somewhat to our line of sight. A dark band of absorbing dust partially in front of its bright nucleus gave rise to its nicknames of the "Black Eye". Reminds me of a black eyed pea. Easily seen at magnitude 9.3.
The Beehive Cluster or M44 is an open cluster in the constellation Cancer. Bright at mag. 3.7 and 1.5° across, the cluster easily fits within the field of view of binoculars or low-powered small telescopes.
Another open cluster in Cancer is M67. At mag. 6 it is nice cluster in a small telescope. You can also spot this one in binoculars.
Venus and Saturn are getting higher in the eastern dawn sky. You will need to get up very early to spot them. Venus is at mag. -4.7 and Saturn at mag. 1.3.
Mars glows at 1st mag. high in the southwest in the evening. At a diameter of only 6 arc seconds it is hardly worth a look.
Jupiter at mag. -2.0 and shines low in the west in early evening, to the lower right of Mars. It sets around 11pm.
Clear and Dark Skies, Dave Holland
