Downloadable Observing guides

The Local Group  – Galaxies within our celestial backyard visible in the US (above about -50 dec).  Associated globular clusters, H-II, OB regions and open clusters are marked and some cases labeled.  (55 pages)

Selected Small Galaxy Groups   - Small Galaxy Groups inspired by the Astronomical League Galaxy Clusters Observing Club with some additional selections.  60+ groups.   8” or larger scope.   (151 pages)

Galaxy Trios and Triple Systems   - Galaxy Trios inspired by Miles Paul’s list and by Astronomical League Galaxy Groups Observing Club.  Some lensed quasars are also included in this file, such as the Double Quasar in Ursa Major and Einstein’s cross in Pegasus.  200 trios and triple systems.   8” or larger scope. (241 pages)
Updated (November 2011):  A new updated version with over 80 new trios; 23 more trios to complete the Miles Paul list.  About 60 more trios from a research papers and SDSS site.

Selected Shakhbazian Galaxy Groups  - Very challenging small galaxy groups, much more challenging than the Hickson Groups.  Compact Groups of Compact Galaxies.  60+ groups.  A large scope, 25” or larger is strongly recommended.  You can try with a 16 or 20”, but won’t get very many, but fun.  (76 pages) 

Abell Galaxy Clusters -  Selected Abell Galaxy Clusters for advanced observers with large telescopes.  80+ clusters.  16” or larger scope is recommended.  (430 pages)

Globular Clusters - All globular clusters above -50 degrees declination.  This list includes all Messier, NGC and Palomars and Terzans.  There are a few “impossible” globulars, such as the two 2MASS globulars, in this list as well.  90+ globulars.   Most are observable with an 8” scope.  (111 pages)

Planetary Nebulae - Planetary nebulae, supernovae remnants and protoplanetaries that are observable above about -50 degrees declination.   About 350+ objects are included.  Many stellar planetaries are left out.  (322 pages)

The Rose Catalogue of Compact Galaxies - A small collection of 33 northern and 5 southern very compact galaxy groups for large telescopes.  This list is considered to be a bit more challenging than the Hickson Galaxy Groups.  Recommend 18" or larger scope as most are very small and dim.  (88 pages)

Flat Galaxies - A selection of 170+ Flat Galaxies from the Revised Flat Galaxy Catalogue.  Many are dim and requires a large telescope.  I recommend a 16" or larger scope to tackle the majority of objects in this list.   Note:  This is the first release.  I am most likely to make revisions including adding new flat galaxies.  The Revision History page will list the revisions.   (192 pages) 

Ring Galaxies—A selection of ring galaxies generated by a good friend, Jimi Lowrey.  He observes about 15 times a month with his 48” f/4 reflector.  Some of them are pretty tough and will require a very large telescope, such as Jimi’s 48" reflector. 

There will be at least one more guide coming in the future.   Variable Galaxies are in the works.

All guides features a naked eye finder chart, telescopic finder chart and labeled (if applicable) negative DSS image.  All laid out for use at the eyepiece.

Note: These documents are best printed on both sides of the paper to maximize the usefulness on the field as the two-page spreads are built to be used together.  It is best to coil bind the pages.  Kinko's or any similar printing business can do that for you.

For the documents with a two page spread per object, if you want each object to appear on the same sheet (front and back), add or delete a blank page starting with the first object.

Inverting on a computer

In FoxIt, click on Tools\Preferences...  Then click on Documents on the left side.  Under Document Color Options, place a check box on Replace Document Colors.  Click on Custom Color radio button, change the page background to black and document text to white (or whatever you want).  Click on OK.

If you want to view in full screen with no borders...then click on Full Screen in the same left hand menu under Tools\Preferences...  remove all check marks except the last one.  Click on OK.

On my small laptop, I rotate the image clockwise (as I hold my laptop with the screen on the left hand side, you can rotate the other way around if you prefer the screen on the right hand side.)  Then press F11 for full screen.  See the page, Observing Aids, for photos.

Printing the Guides (two ways)

1. If you have access to a duplex printer, then you’re set.  

2.  If you are using a standard laser printer, then...

• Print odd pages in reverse order
• Take the just printed stack and place it in the paper tray facing up and upside down (top of page closest to you).

If you have good observations, feedback, or any other comments on these guides.  Please email Alvin@faintfuzzies.com

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