| Visual Observations An Observing Log, with written comments augmented with either film images, CCD images, or Digital Sky Survey Images. |
6/23/04:3:00 A.M., CDT. A super night!
Limiting magnitude, 6.2 at zenith! Since
it was so transparent, I decided to try
for this very faint galaxy group in
Aquarius. To my delight, they WERE
visible (but required averted vision).
This trio forms a compact group which
angles from NE to SW. All three
galaxies are 14th mag. and are VERY
faint! From north to south they are:
NGC-6978, 6977, and 6966. 6978 is
lens-shaped, oriented NW to SE, and
is about 1.5' X .5' 6977 is slightly oval
and is just over 1' dia. 6976 is the
smallest. This group is also called
Hickson 88. Observed at 140X (20mm
Nagler Type 2.) Image courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
Limiting magnitude, 6.2 at zenith! Since
it was so transparent, I decided to try
for this very faint galaxy group in
Aquarius. To my delight, they WERE
visible (but required averted vision).
This trio forms a compact group which
angles from NE to SW. All three
galaxies are 14th mag. and are VERY
faint! From north to south they are:
NGC-6978, 6977, and 6966. 6978 is
lens-shaped, oriented NW to SE, and
is about 1.5' X .5' 6977 is slightly oval
and is just over 1' dia. 6976 is the
smallest. This group is also called
Hickson 88. Observed at 140X (20mm
Nagler Type 2.) Image courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
7/19/04: 2:30 A.M., CDT, Using C-11
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed emission
nebula NGC-7635 in Cassiopeia, which
is located just SW of M-52. This is a
VERY faint nebula...the only portion
observed was centered on the star that
forms the north apex of a flat triangle of
3 stars. Appears to be about 5 to 6
arc-minutes in extent. This nebula is
often called the Bubble Nebula. (Image
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed emission
nebula NGC-7635 in Cassiopeia, which
is located just SW of M-52. This is a
VERY faint nebula...the only portion
observed was centered on the star that
forms the north apex of a flat triangle of
3 stars. Appears to be about 5 to 6
arc-minutes in extent. This nebula is
often called the Bubble Nebula. (Image
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
8/15/04: 2:10 A.M., CDT, Using C-11
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed supernova
remnant NGC-6960, the Veil Nebula in
Cygnus. Transparency is extremely
good tonight, and with the Oxygen III
filter, this western arc of the Veil
stands out very clearly. Much
filamentary detail is seen, both in the
arc above the star 52 Cygni and below
it in the broader portion of the nebula.
The two smaller patches of nebulosity
which lie between 6960 and the
eastern portion (NGC-6992) were also
clearly seen. Beautiful! (Image
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed supernova
remnant NGC-6960, the Veil Nebula in
Cygnus. Transparency is extremely
good tonight, and with the Oxygen III
filter, this western arc of the Veil
stands out very clearly. Much
filamentary detail is seen, both in the
arc above the star 52 Cygni and below
it in the broader portion of the nebula.
The two smaller patches of nebulosity
which lie between 6960 and the
eastern portion (NGC-6992) were also
clearly seen. Beautiful! (Image
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
11/6/04: 9:30 P.M.,CST: Observed the
Pegasus I Galaxy Group using the
11-inch Celestron with 31mm TeleVue
Nagler Type 5 (90X): In the photo below,
the bright galaxy in the center of the
group is NGC-7619, an 11th magnitude
elliptical galaxy. About 9 arcminutes to
the east (left) is NGC-7626, another
11th mag. elliptical. These two galaxies
are the brightest members of the big
Pegasus I cluster. About 12 arcminutes
further east (left) is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy, NGC-7631. Visually, it is
quite a bit fainter than the two bright
ellipticals. North (up) of the 7619-7626
pair is NGC-7623. To the SW of NGC
7619 are two fainter galaxies, NGC
7617 (very faint) and further on is
NGC-7611 (the brightest of the two).
These six galaxies are visible in the
same field thru the C-11. With my
18.5-inch f/4.5 newtonian, many more
galaxies are visible. (Photo courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey).
Pegasus I Galaxy Group using the
11-inch Celestron with 31mm TeleVue
Nagler Type 5 (90X): In the photo below,
the bright galaxy in the center of the
group is NGC-7619, an 11th magnitude
elliptical galaxy. About 9 arcminutes to
the east (left) is NGC-7626, another
11th mag. elliptical. These two galaxies
are the brightest members of the big
Pegasus I cluster. About 12 arcminutes
further east (left) is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy, NGC-7631. Visually, it is
quite a bit fainter than the two bright
ellipticals. North (up) of the 7619-7626
pair is NGC-7623. To the SW of NGC
7619 are two fainter galaxies, NGC
7617 (very faint) and further on is
NGC-7611 (the brightest of the two).
These six galaxies are visible in the
same field thru the C-11. With my
18.5-inch f/4.5 newtonian, many more
galaxies are visible. (Photo courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey).
4/13/05: Another SUPER night at Oz!
One of my best observations for the
night was the compact galaxy group
Hickson 56. This elusive object lies
just a few arcminutes south of galaxy
NGC-3718 in Ursa Major. In the Digital
Sky Survey photo at the right, it can be
seen as a compact group of 5 tiny
galaxies in a space only 2.5
arcminutes in extent. This field also
shows tremendous depth of field,
because the galaxies in Hickson 56 lie
at a distance 50 times greater than
NGC-3718.
Using the 16mm Nagler eyepiece
(175X) and averted vision, I was able
to pick out the nucleii of the three
brightest members of Hickson 56. This
group is one of the target items in the
A.L. Galaxy Groups & Clusters
Program. (Photo courtesy of Digital
Sky Survey).
One of my best observations for the
night was the compact galaxy group
Hickson 56. This elusive object lies
just a few arcminutes south of galaxy
NGC-3718 in Ursa Major. In the Digital
Sky Survey photo at the right, it can be
seen as a compact group of 5 tiny
galaxies in a space only 2.5
arcminutes in extent. This field also
shows tremendous depth of field,
because the galaxies in Hickson 56 lie
at a distance 50 times greater than
NGC-3718.
Using the 16mm Nagler eyepiece
(175X) and averted vision, I was able
to pick out the nucleii of the three
brightest members of Hickson 56. This
group is one of the target items in the
A.L. Galaxy Groups & Clusters
Program. (Photo courtesy of Digital
Sky Survey).
1/24/06: While observing NGC galaxies
in Eridanus, I came across this very
interesting group of four
galaxies. From north (top) to south
(bottom) the galaxies are: NGC-1323,
NGC-1322, NGC-1321, and NGC-1320.
I observed this group using the Tele
Vue 20mm Nagler Type II, which gives
a magnification of 140X thru the C-11.
The brightest galaxy in the group is
NGC-1321, a small elliptical galaxy
which, though listed as 14th mag., is
the easiest of the group to see, due
to the fact that it has a very bright
core. Just south of it is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy NGC-1320, also listed
at 14th magnitude, but appearing
fainter, due to the fact that is is more
extended, about 2' X .7', from NE to
SW. About 10 arcmin. north of this
pair lies NGC-1322, which is 14.5
magnitude and only 1/2 arcminute
in extent. The northernmost of the
four galaxies is NGC-1323, which is
also the smallest and dimmest of the
group. It required averted vision to
see well, and is located about 1/2
arcminute NE of a 13.5 mag. star.
All of these galaxies are visible in
the same field using the 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. (Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey).
in Eridanus, I came across this very
interesting group of four
galaxies. From north (top) to south
(bottom) the galaxies are: NGC-1323,
NGC-1322, NGC-1321, and NGC-1320.
I observed this group using the Tele
Vue 20mm Nagler Type II, which gives
a magnification of 140X thru the C-11.
The brightest galaxy in the group is
NGC-1321, a small elliptical galaxy
which, though listed as 14th mag., is
the easiest of the group to see, due
to the fact that it has a very bright
core. Just south of it is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy NGC-1320, also listed
at 14th magnitude, but appearing
fainter, due to the fact that is is more
extended, about 2' X .7', from NE to
SW. About 10 arcmin. north of this
pair lies NGC-1322, which is 14.5
magnitude and only 1/2 arcminute
in extent. The northernmost of the
four galaxies is NGC-1323, which is
also the smallest and dimmest of the
group. It required averted vision to
see well, and is located about 1/2
arcminute NE of a 13.5 mag. star.
All of these galaxies are visible in
the same field using the 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. (Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey).
2/22/06: Succeeded in making a visual
observation of the new supernova
(2006X) in the spiral galaxy M-100
(NGC-4321) in Coma Berenices. Using
the C-11 at 140X (20mm Nagler II) the
supernova flitted in and out of view with
direct vision, but could be held steadily
with averted vision. It appeared to be
about half a magnitude fainter than the
two stars that frame it, one at the WSW
edge of the galaxy and the other at the
ESE edge of the galaxy. The faint
spiral arm that curves just south of the
super nova was clearly seen. The
image of 2006X to the right was taken
by my friend, Dave Hudgins at his
Starbase Observatory in Overland
Park, Kansas, using a Meade 10"
LX200 and an SBIG ST-7 CCD
camera. (copyright 2006, David
Hudgins). For reference purposes, I
have also included a picture of M-100
which was taken prior to the
supernova by another friend, Bob
Koch, of Faribault, Minnesota, using a
12-inch Meade LX200 and a Meade
DSI ccd imager. (copyright
2006, Bob Koch.)
observation of the new supernova
(2006X) in the spiral galaxy M-100
(NGC-4321) in Coma Berenices. Using
the C-11 at 140X (20mm Nagler II) the
supernova flitted in and out of view with
direct vision, but could be held steadily
with averted vision. It appeared to be
about half a magnitude fainter than the
two stars that frame it, one at the WSW
edge of the galaxy and the other at the
ESE edge of the galaxy. The faint
spiral arm that curves just south of the
super nova was clearly seen. The
image of 2006X to the right was taken
by my friend, Dave Hudgins at his
Starbase Observatory in Overland
Park, Kansas, using a Meade 10"
LX200 and an SBIG ST-7 CCD
camera. (copyright 2006, David
Hudgins). For reference purposes, I
have also included a picture of M-100
which was taken prior to the
supernova by another friend, Bob
Koch, of Faribault, Minnesota, using a
12-inch Meade LX200 and a Meade
DSI ccd imager. (copyright
2006, Bob Koch.)
7/23/06: Observed this very interesting
galaxy group in Serpens Caput. These
three galaxies provide a great study in
visual contrast. The galaxies in the upper
left hand corner of the image are
NGC-5954 (left) and NGC-5953
(right). The galaxy to the lower right
hand corner is NGC-5951. All three
are spirals. 5953 and 5954 are almost
in contact. Although 5954 is larger,
5953 stands out better due to its bright
concentrated core. NGC-5951 is the
most elusive of the three, but is quite
striking due to its extended nature. It
appears as a very faint sliver of even
surface brightness. All three fit in the
field of the 140X 20mm Nagler eyepiece.
(Photo courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
galaxy group in Serpens Caput. These
three galaxies provide a great study in
visual contrast. The galaxies in the upper
left hand corner of the image are
NGC-5954 (left) and NGC-5953
(right). The galaxy to the lower right
hand corner is NGC-5951. All three
are spirals. 5953 and 5954 are almost
in contact. Although 5954 is larger,
5953 stands out better due to its bright
concentrated core. NGC-5951 is the
most elusive of the three, but is quite
striking due to its extended nature. It
appears as a very faint sliver of even
surface brightness. All three fit in the
field of the 140X 20mm Nagler eyepiece.
(Photo courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
8/24/06: At 4:10 a.m. CDT, observed
this faint galaxy trio in Andromeda. This
is the NGC-48 group. From left (east)
to right (west), the galaxies are:
NGC-51 (the brightest of the group)
NGC-49, and NGC-48. NGC-51 lies
approximately 2 arcminutes NE of an
approximately 10.5 magnitude star.
NGC-49 lies approximately 2 arcmin-
utes NW of the same star, and NGC
48 lies approximately 4 arcminutes
WSW of NGC-49. NGC-48 has the
lowest surface brightness of the three,
and is just barely visible using averted
vision. All three are small and faint.
This group is one of the targets of the
Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" program. (Photo
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
this faint galaxy trio in Andromeda. This
is the NGC-48 group. From left (east)
to right (west), the galaxies are:
NGC-51 (the brightest of the group)
NGC-49, and NGC-48. NGC-51 lies
approximately 2 arcminutes NE of an
approximately 10.5 magnitude star.
NGC-49 lies approximately 2 arcmin-
utes NW of the same star, and NGC
48 lies approximately 4 arcminutes
WSW of NGC-49. NGC-48 has the
lowest surface brightness of the three,
and is just barely visible using averted
vision. All three are small and faint.
This group is one of the targets of the
Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" program. (Photo
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey).
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4/19/07: At 12:20AM, Observed this
very faint group of galaxies in Leo.
The brightest member of the group is
the inclined spiral galaxy NGC-2929,
which is the southern-most galaxy in
the group(centerof photo). NGC-2929
is 14th magnitude and approximately 1
X 1/2 arcminutes in size, inclined from
northwest to southeast. Through the
C-11 at 233X (12mm Nagler)it appears
as a faint amorphous oval smudge of
light, which requires averted vision to
see well.The 7.5 magnitude star
SAO80931 lies 1/2 field to the SW
(lowerright hand corner of photo).
Only one other member of this faint
group was seen, NGC-2931, which is
the middle member of the group, just 3
arcminutes north of 2929. It is small
(about 1/2 armin. diameter) very faint,
round, with even surface brightness.
This is one of the galaxy groups in
the Astronomical League's "Galaxy
Groups and Clusters" observing
program, of which I have completed
about 2/3 of the observations. (Image
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
very faint group of galaxies in Leo.
The brightest member of the group is
the inclined spiral galaxy NGC-2929,
which is the southern-most galaxy in
the group(centerof photo). NGC-2929
is 14th magnitude and approximately 1
X 1/2 arcminutes in size, inclined from
northwest to southeast. Through the
C-11 at 233X (12mm Nagler)it appears
as a faint amorphous oval smudge of
light, which requires averted vision to
see well.The 7.5 magnitude star
SAO80931 lies 1/2 field to the SW
(lowerright hand corner of photo).
Only one other member of this faint
group was seen, NGC-2931, which is
the middle member of the group, just 3
arcminutes north of 2929. It is small
(about 1/2 armin. diameter) very faint,
round, with even surface brightness.
This is one of the galaxy groups in
the Astronomical League's "Galaxy
Groups and Clusters" observing
program, of which I have completed
about 2/3 of the observations. (Image
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
10/11/07: At 11:55PM, observed galaxy
group Hickson 7.The brightestmember
of this group is the spiral galaxy
NGC-192, a lens-shaped galaxy which
lies at the lower right of this triangular
group. It is approximately 2 arcminutes
by 1/2 arcminute in size and is 13.4
magnitude. 3 arcminutes to the NNE
lies NGC-196, a 13.8 magnitude spiral
which is about 1.5 arcminutes in size.
The faint galaxy between them in the
photo at right, NGC- 197, is 15th
magnitude, and was not seen.
About 5 arcminutes to the east (left) of
NGC-192is the face-on spiral NGC-201
Visually it is large and diffuse and of
even surface brightness. NGC-192 is
also known as Hickson 7a, NGC-196
as 7b, and NGC-201 as 7c. This group
is in theAstronomical League's Galaxy
Groups & Clusters program. This
group was observed using the C-11 at
175X. Limiting magnitude tonight was
6.0.(Image courtesy of the Digital Sky
Survey).
group Hickson 7.The brightestmember
of this group is the spiral galaxy
NGC-192, a lens-shaped galaxy which
lies at the lower right of this triangular
group. It is approximately 2 arcminutes
by 1/2 arcminute in size and is 13.4
magnitude. 3 arcminutes to the NNE
lies NGC-196, a 13.8 magnitude spiral
which is about 1.5 arcminutes in size.
The faint galaxy between them in the
photo at right, NGC- 197, is 15th
magnitude, and was not seen.
About 5 arcminutes to the east (left) of
NGC-192is the face-on spiral NGC-201
Visually it is large and diffuse and of
even surface brightness. NGC-192 is
also known as Hickson 7a, NGC-196
as 7b, and NGC-201 as 7c. This group
is in theAstronomical League's Galaxy
Groups & Clusters program. This
group was observed using the C-11 at
175X. Limiting magnitude tonight was
6.0.(Image courtesy of the Digital Sky
Survey).
10/12/07: At 1:00AM, Observed the
interesting group of galaxies pictured to
the right. This is the NGC-80 group in the
constellation of Andromeda. The brightest
member of the group is the SO-type spiral
galaxy NGC-80, which appears just below
and to the right (west) of the center of the
photo. Visually this galaxy appears round
with diffuse outer edges and a halo that
brightens suddenly to a compressedcore.
It appears to be about 1.2 arcminutes in
diameter. About 5 arcminutes to the NE
(up and to the left) of NGC-80 is NGC-83,
a 13.5 magnitude elliptical galaxy. It is
smaller and fainter than NGC-80 and has
even surface brightness. About 7 arcmin-
utes due east (left) of NGC-83 lies
NGC-93 an SO-type spiral. NGC-93 was
the faintest of three. The other galaxies in
the photo are 15th magnitude and fainter
and were not seen visually. (Photo
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
interesting group of galaxies pictured to
the right. This is the NGC-80 group in the
constellation of Andromeda. The brightest
member of the group is the SO-type spiral
galaxy NGC-80, which appears just below
and to the right (west) of the center of the
photo. Visually this galaxy appears round
with diffuse outer edges and a halo that
brightens suddenly to a compressedcore.
It appears to be about 1.2 arcminutes in
diameter. About 5 arcminutes to the NE
(up and to the left) of NGC-80 is NGC-83,
a 13.5 magnitude elliptical galaxy. It is
smaller and fainter than NGC-80 and has
even surface brightness. About 7 arcmin-
utes due east (left) of NGC-83 lies
NGC-93 an SO-type spiral. NGC-93 was
the faintest of three. The other galaxies in
the photo are 15th magnitude and fainter
and were not seen visually. (Photo
courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey).
6/1/08: During the first observing
session since receiving my factory
overhauled C-11 Telescope back from
the Celestron factory, I had the
occasion to make a detailed visual
observation of NGC-3184, a distant
face-on spiral galaxy in the
constellation of Ursa Major. I observed
the galaxy at magnifications of 70X
(40mm TeleVue Wide-Field eyepiece)
and 140X(Televue 20mm Nagler). At
70X, the bright star Mu Ursae Majoris,
to the east, has to be positioned out of
the field for the best view. At 70X it
appears as a round glow with faint
outer envelope which brightens
gradually to a broad brighter core. A
6.5 mag. star lies 11 arcminutes to the
WNW. At 140X, a faint, almost stellar
nucleus appears within the oval core,
and a 12th magnitude star twinkles at
the north edge of the outer haze, which
is uneven in brightness, indicating a
hint of two spiral arms. (Photo courtesy
of the Digital Sky Survey).
session since receiving my factory
overhauled C-11 Telescope back from
the Celestron factory, I had the
occasion to make a detailed visual
observation of NGC-3184, a distant
face-on spiral galaxy in the
constellation of Ursa Major. I observed
the galaxy at magnifications of 70X
(40mm TeleVue Wide-Field eyepiece)
and 140X(Televue 20mm Nagler). At
70X, the bright star Mu Ursae Majoris,
to the east, has to be positioned out of
the field for the best view. At 70X it
appears as a round glow with faint
outer envelope which brightens
gradually to a broad brighter core. A
6.5 mag. star lies 11 arcminutes to the
WNW. At 140X, a faint, almost stellar
nucleus appears within the oval core,
and a 12th magnitude star twinkles at
the north edge of the outer haze, which
is uneven in brightness, indicating a
hint of two spiral arms. (Photo courtesy
of the Digital Sky Survey).
9/27/08: At 2:30 AM, observed NGC-7640,
a striking edge-on barred spiral galaxy in
Andromeda. Observed at 70X (41mm
Panoptic) and 140X (20mm Nagler T2).
The galaxy is superimposed upon a tight
triangle of 11th magnitude stars. At 70X,
the galaxy appears as a faint streak
running through the triangle of stars from
NNW to SSE, surrounded by a starry field.
The galaxy's outer envelope is very diffuse
and tenuous and brightens gradually to an
elongated core in the same PA as the
outer envelope. At 140X (20mm Nagler)
the galaxy appears as a 7' X 1.5' streak
extending from just beyond the southern
star of the triangle and about 2 arcminutes
N of the northern star. A faint star is super-
imposed upon the north tip of the galaxy.
The core shows uneven brightness with a
star superimposed upon the W edge of
the nucleus. (Photo courtesy of the Digital
Sky Survey).
a striking edge-on barred spiral galaxy in
Andromeda. Observed at 70X (41mm
Panoptic) and 140X (20mm Nagler T2).
The galaxy is superimposed upon a tight
triangle of 11th magnitude stars. At 70X,
the galaxy appears as a faint streak
running through the triangle of stars from
NNW to SSE, surrounded by a starry field.
The galaxy's outer envelope is very diffuse
and tenuous and brightens gradually to an
elongated core in the same PA as the
outer envelope. At 140X (20mm Nagler)
the galaxy appears as a 7' X 1.5' streak
extending from just beyond the southern
star of the triangle and about 2 arcminutes
N of the northern star. A faint star is super-
imposed upon the north tip of the galaxy.
The core shows uneven brightness with a
star superimposed upon the W edge of
the nucleus. (Photo courtesy of the Digital
Sky Survey).
12/30/08: Observed an interesting trio of
faint galaxies in Canis Major. This is the
NGC-2292,93,95 group of galaxies. The
interacting pair to the left (east) is NGC
2293 and 2292 (to the right, or west).
Both galaxies are ellipticals. 2293, the
larger galaxy, is approximately 2.5' on its
long dimension, oriented NW to SE, and
is magnitude 13.0. NGC-2292 is slightly
smaller, about 2 arcminutes, and is
oriented north to south. It is 13.8 mag.
Using the C-11 at 140X, the two galaxies
are merged, forming an oblong smudge
with a brighter center,oriented NW to SE.
About 5 arcminutes west of NGC-2292
lies NGC-2295, a faint edge-on spiral
galaxy. Through the C-11 at 140X it
appears as a very faint elliptical blob of
even surface brightness, oriented from
NE to SW.The brighter pair of galaxies is
visible with direct vision, but the edge-on
2295 requires averted vision to see. This
trio is part of the A.L. Galaxy Groups and
Clusters program. (Photo courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey).
faint galaxies in Canis Major. This is the
NGC-2292,93,95 group of galaxies. The
interacting pair to the left (east) is NGC
2293 and 2292 (to the right, or west).
Both galaxies are ellipticals. 2293, the
larger galaxy, is approximately 2.5' on its
long dimension, oriented NW to SE, and
is magnitude 13.0. NGC-2292 is slightly
smaller, about 2 arcminutes, and is
oriented north to south. It is 13.8 mag.
Using the C-11 at 140X, the two galaxies
are merged, forming an oblong smudge
with a brighter center,oriented NW to SE.
About 5 arcminutes west of NGC-2292
lies NGC-2295, a faint edge-on spiral
galaxy. Through the C-11 at 140X it
appears as a very faint elliptical blob of
even surface brightness, oriented from
NE to SW.The brighter pair of galaxies is
visible with direct vision, but the edge-on
2295 requires averted vision to see. This
trio is part of the A.L. Galaxy Groups and
Clusters program. (Photo courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey).
4/22/09: At 1:00 a.m., I managed to
observe the faintest galaxy yet with
my 11-inch Celestron SCT. This
galaxy is NGC-3416, a small spiral
in Ursa Major. Locating it was made
easier due to the fact that it lies just
3 arcminutes north of the brighter
galaxy, NGC-3415. 3415 is a 13th
magnitude elliptical galaxy, and is
easy to spot because it lies right
next to a triangle of 12th magnitude
stars. In order to detect the much
fainter NGC-3416, I had to boost the
power up to 233X (12mm Nagler IV).
Visually the galaxy was detectable
only with averted vision, and was just
a very very faint small blob of even
surface brightness, right at the limit of
visibility. The NGC catalog says it is .6
arcminutes in size and is 15.4 magnitude!
observe the faintest galaxy yet with
my 11-inch Celestron SCT. This
galaxy is NGC-3416, a small spiral
in Ursa Major. Locating it was made
easier due to the fact that it lies just
3 arcminutes north of the brighter
galaxy, NGC-3415. 3415 is a 13th
magnitude elliptical galaxy, and is
easy to spot because it lies right
next to a triangle of 12th magnitude
stars. In order to detect the much
fainter NGC-3416, I had to boost the
power up to 233X (12mm Nagler IV).
Visually the galaxy was detectable
only with averted vision, and was just
a very very faint small blob of even
surface brightness, right at the limit of
visibility. The NGC catalog says it is .6
arcminutes in size and is 15.4 magnitude!
5/20/09: 1:55AM, observed this pair of
galaxies in Ursa Major. The larger spiral
galaxy to the left (east) is NGC-5389. It
is 13th magnitude and is approximately
4 arcminutes in length, oriented N to S.
Just 3 arcminutes to the right (west) is
the smaller, fainter spiral, NGC-5379. It
is approximately 2 arcminutes in extent,
oval, oriented ENE to WSW. It is 13.5
magnitude. Both galaxies are visible with
direct vision through the C-11 at 140X.
A very nice pair. (Image courtesy of
the Digital Sky Survey).
galaxies in Ursa Major. The larger spiral
galaxy to the left (east) is NGC-5389. It
is 13th magnitude and is approximately
4 arcminutes in length, oriented N to S.
Just 3 arcminutes to the right (west) is
the smaller, fainter spiral, NGC-5379. It
is approximately 2 arcminutes in extent,
oval, oriented ENE to WSW. It is 13.5
magnitude. Both galaxies are visible with
direct vision through the C-11 at 140X.
A very nice pair. (Image courtesy of
the Digital Sky Survey).