Monthly Messier Star-Hop; May #3
By Art Russell

This month  we go with Messier 49 and Messier 61, both of which are galaxies located in the constellation Virgo. Before tackling these star-hops, it is important to remember that the Springtime brings us that part of the sky known as "the Realm of the Galaxies." In practical terms, this means that if you are observing in the area of the constellations of Virgo, Coma Berenecies, Canes Venatici, or Ursa Major, if you see one galaxy, you'll see a lot of galaxies. This also means that it's relatively easy to get lost if you don't pay attention to where you are in the sky and where your telescope is pointed.

Star-Hop #1. M49, NGC 4472
Star-Hop #2. M61, NGC 4303

To begin our star-hops, first locate the constellation Virgo which will be on the meridian and about 35 degrees (about one and a half spans of your open hand held at arm's length against the night sky) south of the zenith (the zenith is an imaginary spot directly overhead) at about 10PM on 15 May. Virgo is also located southwest of the prominent star Arcturus in the constellation Bootes. As an additional aid, Virgo is southeast of the constellation Leo another of the prominent constellations of the Spring skies.

Star-Hop #1. M49, NGC 4472. Located in the constellation Virgo, M49 is a relatively bright, 8.4 magnitude galaxy located just south of a line between the prominent star Vindamiatrix and the star Nu Virginis. Starting at Vindamiatrix, extend an imaginary line from Vindamiatrix to the star Nu Virginis. About 8 degrees, or a little less than half way from Vindamiatrix to Nu Virginis, extend a line southwest for less than one degree, or the distance spanned by your little finger against the night sky. Here, in a low power telescope or binoculars you'll find M49 as the brightest of a number of  galaxies located in this region of Virgo. In the Atlanta Astronomy Club's 20 inch reflector, and at moderate power, M49 appears small and round in appearance.  Its nucleus predominates and is significantly brighter than its halo.  At high power, the halo is much more pronounced, and appears to be somewhat flattened.

Star-Hop #2. M61, NGC 4303. Our last Messier object is the galaxy M61. This 9.6 magnitude galaxy is located about 4 degrees south-southwest of M49. However, for this final Messier star-hop, we'll start at the star Porrima, Gamma Virginis. From Porrima, extend an imaginary line to the star Omicron Virginis. M61 is a little more than halfway along this line to Omicron Virginis, and just slightly to the northeast. Search this area in the low power view of a telescope or a set of binoculars. Most of the Virgo galaxies are located to the north of M49, so if you find a bright galaxy in this area, it is M61. Using the club's 20 inch reflector at low magnification, M61 appears to have a generally round halo with a stellar nucleus visible in averted vision. At high power the nucleus is visible in direct vision, and the halo appears to have some mottling.