Star-hop #2; M67, NGC 2682. Our next star-hop takes us to the open cluster M67, also in the constellation Cancer. Starting at M44, you should be able to see the major stars of Cancer. Move from M44 to the star Delta Cancri, about 2 degrees to the southeast of M44 (this may be 2 or 3 eyepiece fields of view in your telescope, be sure to check yours, you’ll need to know later(!). M44 and Delta Cancri should be simultaneously visible in binoculars). From Delta Cancri, move through the constellation to the star Alpha Cancri. M67 is located about 1 1/2 degrees due west of Alpha Cancri. At 51X, M67 fills the field of view appearing almost circular in shape.

Star-hop #3; Gamma Leonis. Now lets head from Cancer to the prominent constellation Leo, "The Lion." Starting at Alpha Cancri, look directly east until you see a much brighter 1.4 magnitude star, Regulus, Alpha Leonis, also known as "The Lion’s Heart." In this star-op we are looking for Al Geiba, Gamma Leonis, which is regarded as one of the finest double stars in the sky. Once there, you’ll need to use the highest power you have in order to get the best possible view. To get to Al Geiba, start from Regulus and head north to the next star in Leo, Eta Leonis. From Eta Leonis, the next star in Leo to the northeast is Al Geiba.

Our remaining star-hops for this month will be as interesting as they are challenging since they are all galaxies and typically more difficult to locate and identify than open clusters.

Star-hop #4; M105, NGC 3379. From Regulus, extend a line east-north-east to the 3.3 magnitude star Theta Leonis. A little more than half way from Regulus to Theta Leonis is the dimmer star 52 Leonis. About 1 1/2 degrees south and a touch east of 52 Leonis is the galaxy M105. This may be 1 or 2 fields of view away from 52 Leonis depending on your telescope and eyepiece combination. Additionally, 52 Leonis and M105 may be visible in the same field of view in binoculars. While in the area you may also notice many other fainter galaxies as well. They may be magnitude 12.5 or dimmer. Immediately to the east of M105 you may see the galaxies NGC 3384 and NGC 3389. At 87X, M105 will appear to have a very compact nucleus. The galaxies M105, NGC 3384 and NGC 3389 may appear in same field of view.

Star-hop #5; M96, NGC 3368. Our next star-hop begins at M105 and leads us to M96. From M105, M96 is only about 3/4 degree to the south-south-west. You may even be able to see both galaxies in the same field of view if your eyepiece has that much coverage by placing M105 at one side in the field of view and looking to the south-south-west. If not, simply nudge your scope in that direction as you keep your eye to the eyepiece. With patience, M96 will come into view. At 87X, M96's nucleus and halo are evident, but elongated.

Star-hop #6; M95, NGC 3351. Our next star-hop is a short one to M95. You won’t have to go far from M96 to find its neighboring galaxy, M95, since it is about 1 or 2 fields of view away in your telescope. M95 is almost due west of M96. You may be able to get there by simply aligning M96 on the eastern edge of your eyepiece’s field of view. In doing so, you might be able to see both galaxies in the field of view with M95 in the western side of your field of view. If not, a simple nudge to the west should bring M95 into the field of view. At 87X M95 as a small diffuse object, but with a compact nucleus.

Star-hop #7; M65, NGC 3623 and M66, NGC 3627. Our final star-hop takes us to the galaxies M65, and M66. Both galaxies are visible in the same telescopic field of view along with a third galaxy, NGC 3628. We start this final star-hop at the star Theta Leonis which we saw earlier in Star-hop #4. From Theta Leonis, extend a line to the star Iota Leonis. Our galaxies are located just to the east of this line and half way between Theta and Iota Leonis. Once you locate these galaxies, you will find NGC 3628 in the northern side of your field of view. M65 will be located south and east of NGC 3628. M66 will be located almost due south of NGC 3628 and in-line with M65. At 109X M65 is oval in shape with a bright nucleus; M66 seems a bit brighter than M65 and distinctly brighter than NGC 3628, both of which are in the same field of view; NGC 3628 is very dim with little detail visible and appears oriented south-west to north-east.