[pgc hunter]

following on from part 1, I've rounded out the session with a few random picks from the star charts.

IC 4720 and 4721 are a pair of nearly edge on spirals in Pavo. IC 4721 is the larger of the two and their redshifts suggest they are gravitationally related.

IC 4721
GX, Pavo, RA 18 34 25, Dec -58 29 48, Size= 5.3x1.6' , Mag V= 11.6

IC 4720
GX, Pavo, RA 18 33 32, Dec -58 24 19, Size= 2.4x0.9' , Mag B= 13.6

166x - IC 4721 appeared as a rather faint, low surface brightness elongated smudge. No detail was seen and infact was more difficult to spot than its smaller neighbour IC4720 which lies 9' NW.

IC 4720 was seen as a faint streak of light, easier to see than its neighbour as it has higher surface brightness.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

IC 4751/53 is another close pair in Pavo. Further afield N of the pair lies a third galaxy, IC4754

IC 4751
GX, Pavo, RA 18 43 19, Dec -62 06 44, Size= 1.1x0.6' , Mag B= 14.05

IC 4753
GX, Pavo, RA 18 43 32, Dec -62 06 29, Size= 0.9x0.8' , Mag B= 13.8

265x - Both galaxies showed concentration toward core, with IC4753 appearing more diffuse than 4751. Both hinted at slight N-S elongation. This close pair is seperated by just over 1.5' and are easy to pinpoint located almost exactly halfway between a mag 10 star 4' SW and a mag 10.7 star 3' NNE.


---------------------------------------------------------------------

NGC 6769 GROUP
This is a nice tight group of two interacting spirals (NGC6769/70) and a 3rd edge on galaxy nearby (NGC6771). NGC 6771 appears to be unrelated to the interacting pair, being some 15 million light years more distant.

NGC 6769
GX, Pavo, RA 19 18 23, Dec -60 30 05, Size= 2.3x1.5' , Mag V= 11.9

NGC 6770
GX, Pavo, RA 19 18 37, Dec -60 29 46, Size= 2.3x1.7', Mag V= 11.8

NGC 6771
GX, Pavo, RA 19 18 39, Dec -60 32 45, Size= 2.3x0.5' , Mag V= 12.5

265x - Nice little group set in a relatively rich star field. The centers of 6769 and 6770 are separated by only 1.8'. 6769 appeared the largest and brightest of the three at the eyepiece, round and brightens towards the core with a diffuse halo.

NGC 6770 appeared small, round and the faintest of the three.

NGC 6771 is located only 3' S of the interacting pair and was elongated with a brighter core.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

IC 4845
GX, Pavo, RA 19 20 22, Dec -60 23 21, Size= 2.0x1.5' , Mag V= 11.6

265x - Located 16' ENE of NGC 6769/70, with a mag 12.8 star just 15" W of the core. Not real hard to pick out, core region appeared elongated N-S. A faint diffuse halo was seen around the core.

IC 4842
GX, Pavo, RA 19 19 24, Dec -60 38 39, Size= 2.2x1.1' , Mag B= 13.4

265x - small, elongated NE-SW with a concentrated core. Located 11' SE of NGC6769/70.


To wrap up the session, check out a few other sides. Had a quick peek at M83 with the 13mm eyepiece at 102x. Usually, this galaxy appears as nothing more than a diffuse core with a faint featureless halo, but this time I could actually make out the bar and the inner southeastern arm. I was quite excited to make out some spiral structure, this is the first time, the old mirror didn't show anything more than a featureless haze.

Also had a look at the Trifid Nebula (M20) at 102x and the dark lanes were easy with direct vision! Infact, not only were the lanes there, but I could see some irregularity along the boundary between the lanes and the nebula. This was without a filter. Didn't think to try the UHC! The fainter reflection portion of the nebula was also evident, and made for a lovely sight.


Although one night of poor seeing is hardly adequate to evaluate a telescope, I can already see that this mirror is a major improvement over the old one in contrast and limiting magnitude. Can't wait for some decent seeing! I plan to write up a review of the scope and mirror once I get a few more nights in.