The other quasar I want to mention is from the Palomar-Green Bright Quasar Survey. Usually designated PG 1634+706, it may be the most distant object visible through an amateur telescope. It has a redshift of 1.337, which means its light has been traveling some 8.8 billion years to reach us. That works out to a distance nearly halfway to the beginning of time.
Astronomers classify PG 1634+706 as a hyperluminous infrared galaxy, one of the intrinsically brightest objects in the sky. When it reaches maximum, it shines at magnitude 14.24. At its faintest, the galaxy dips to magnitude 14.7, making it a decent challenge for trained visual observers using at least a 10-inch telescope under a dark sky.
PG 1634+706 was brightest around the year 2000, but is now nearing its dimmest. Luckily, PG 1634+706 lies in a fine field, being only about 7' southwest of a pair of 8th-magnitude stars. Furthermore, this pair lies about 2° north-northeast of the magnitude 5.0 star 15 Draconis, now culminating in the north.
Despite my suggested apertures above, I hate to put a size limit on what telescope is needed to see these quasars (especially PG 1634+706). I never want to scare off keen-eyed observers who would get a thrill from snagging this object through smaller-than-expected apertures. So fear not and test the limits of your vision. As always, let me know how you do at
sjomeara@gmail.com.