M109 is a beautiful, large and bright, barred spiral galaxy in Ursa Major. It is easily located, being situated about half a degree south-east of the second magnitude star, Phad, or gamma ursae majoris. This star marks the south-eastern corner of the bowl of the Big Dipper. In an 8" telescope, it is visible as an circular patch of light with a bright centre. Unfortunately a large telescope is needed to see any trace of the spiral arms.

38 minutes exposure, Fuji Superia 200 film.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 5, 180 second images. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 13, 3 minute exposures, some of which were taken through cloud.
SBIG ST-9E CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with f/6.3 focal reducer.

Combination of the above image, and 10, 3 minute exposures, each with red, green and blue filters.
Some of the images were taken through cloud.
SBIG ST-9E CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with f/6.3 focal reducer.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with f/6.3 focal reducer.

Combination of 5, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.