[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Hi all, the first report for a while. I didn't keep any notes for the first sweep around with the Argo. This is only a start as I’m still getting used to the Argo, trying to minimise positional errors. Notes are a bit scanty, quickly jotted down.The celestial river is a good hunting ground for galaxies. If the weather gods are kind I will be back looking for more. Thanks for reading.




NGC 1386 ERIDANUS
RA 03 36 45.42 DEC -35 59 56.7
CLASS Sa, Sy2
SIZE 3.1X1.5
MAG 12.84v 12mm Nagler (125X)

This is a spiral seyfert galaxy, part of the Fornax cluster. I saw a bright concentrated core but averted vision revealed the elongated outer regions.


NGC 1269 – NGC 1291 ERIDANUS
RA 03 36 45.22 DEC -36 15 28.2
CLASS SBa(S)
SIZE 89”x67”
MAG 14.2 12mm Nagler (125X)

Very small, almost stellar core with a suggestion of a oval shaped fainter outer envelope in averted vision. The bright centre revealed this one, normally a magnitude this faint would give me problems. When looking for galaxies I always scan around the FOV, looking for other objects, but also giving averted vision a chance to pick up something that direct vision did not reveal. Now you see it, now you don’t! Concentrated cores and ellipticals are easier to spot than diffuse, face-on spirals. I’m not sure how this one object had two NGC classifications.


NGC 1389 ERIDANUS
RA03 37 11.7 DEC -35 44 46
CLASS SB0 (5)
SIZE 2.1X1.4
MAG 11.5 17mm Nagler (88x)

Another member of the Fornax cluster, a lenticular galaxy, but just looked like an elliptical. This one was an oval shaped glow with no discernable core. The fainter outer region visible in averted vision.


NGC 1404 ERIDANUS
RA 03 38 51.7 DEC -35 35 36
CLASS E2
SIZE 2.5X2.3
MAG 11.7 17mm Nagler (88x)

This elliptical member of the Fornax cluster was in the same wide field as NGC 1389. It appearance was almost circular. Even illumination.



NGC 1395 ERIDANUS
RA 03 38 29.6 DEC -23 01 40
CLASS E3
SIZE 3.2’X2.5’
MAG 13.2 12mm Nagler (125X)

Small round galaxy with a tiny bright core, averted vision suggested a faint round outer region.


I did log some other galaxies during the session but didn't keep any notes.