M 104 (The Sombrero Galaxy)

Date: 8 April 2007 U.T.
Time: 5:17 - 5:40 U.T.
Telescope: 30cm Newtonian
Magnifications: 250x and 120x
Seeing: Fair to Poor
NELM: 6.5
Temperature: +22 F (-6 C)

The Sombrero Galaxy is a beautiful object! It consists of a small, bright, central core surrounded by an elongated (east-west), fainter glow. The glow is widest in the central region, growing progressively narrower further out. Just south of the core a narrow, dark, dust-lane was visible running the length of the galaxy. The galaxy's glow to the south of the dust lane was considerably fainter than the glow to the north. The galaxy appeared to be slightly brighter along its western extension than along its eastern extension.

The overall shape of M 104 was similar to that of two saucers with their rims in contact with one another -- viewed edge-on.

A magnification of 250x was used for most of the observation and sketching. Later I dropped the magnification down to 120x. It may have been possible to see the faint, outermost glow of the galaxy a little better at the lower magnification; but details showed up better at the higher magnification.