Messier 95

95 final

Object:   M95  (NGC 3351) Date:               2018 May 2
Type:  Spiral galaxy
Constellation:           Leo Time & altitude:        21.20 UT      47º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               4/5
            R.A:                10h 44m Transparency (5 high):                   3/5
            Dec:                11º 42 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     9.7 Eyepiece       8mm Ethos                x260
            Size (mins)    7 x 5 Filters:            None

Notes:

A lot of moisture in the air. There is no mistaking M95 as a face-on spiral exhibiting a lot of subtle details which my drawing doesn’t show well. There is a very bright round central core set in a bright “inner halo” about 3 or 4 times the core’s diameter. There are two slightly curved diametrical arms leaving the core to the SE and NW.  A round outer halo fades out very gradually at the edge so is difficult to estimate its size. It is 2 or 3 times the diameter of the inner halo.  There are dark regions to the S and NE and three bright knots.