It is perhaps the dimmest M galaxy, It is very compact so the fuzzy core you saw was likely M74. I usually just go to eta piscium to find it, it is not an object I look at at an urban site. --- jayleads@gmail.com wrote: From: JayLEads <jayleads@gmail.com> To: Utah-Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] M 74 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:58:48 -0700 Just was wondering if anyone could help a newbie. M 74 has eluded me this winter though I have attempted to find her several times. I know I am in the right area based on star charts and tonight I thought using averted vision I saw a very small core, but it faded out as I moved my eye back. This best describes the route I have tried though I have tried another also: I start from Hamal (Alpha Arietis); and from this star, I follow a line via Beta Arietis to Eta Piscium (mag 3.5); M74 should be about 1/2 deg N and 1 1/2 deg E of Eta Psc; Is it just too hard an item to see unless I'm in a dark site? Thanks, Jay _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com