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Old 23-05-2011, 09:58 PM
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barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

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Observing Report 2/5/11 to 3/5/11

Observing Report 2/5/11 to 3/5/11

All observations made using Dobsonion mounted 305mm Newtonian reflector at f/5. Eyepieces use are 34mm Meade 4000(44x) 24mm Panoptic (67x) 13mm Nagler T6 (115x) or 13mm Nagler with Barlow (230x)

Charts - Uranometria 2000 (2nd ed.) Data derived from Uranometria (2nd ed) Deep Sky Field Guide (DSFG) with additional data from The Night Sky Observers Guide (NSOG) .

Observations for 2/5/11 Seeing good, transparency good.

NGC 4216 Galaxy in Virgo 9.35pm
RA 12 15 54.3 Dec 13 09 02 Mag(V) 10.0 Dim’ 8.1 x 1.8 SB 12.8 Type SAB(s)b; II Early mixed spiral s shaped

Locate 6 Comae Berenices. There is a line of 3 stars mag 6-7 running roughly NS about 1.25deg to f. From S star of this line move 1deg to Sp to a mag 9 star. Target lies 15’ to Sp. Long elongated spindle with a near stellar core. Some mottling, much clearer at 115x.

Post Observation Notes. An image here http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/n4216.html gives some idea of how bright the core of this lovely spindle galaxy is. The NSOG notes that 2 other nearby spindles are worth looking at NGC 4206 and NGC 4222. Notes for 16/18” scopes indicate that the dark lane is visible. May not be easy in 12”.

NGC 4435 and NGC 4438 Galaxies in Virgo “The Eyes” 9.45pm
NGC 4435 RA 12 27 40.3 Dec 13 04 44 Mag(V) 10.8 Dim’ 2.8 x 2.0 SB 12.5 Type SB(s)00 Barred intermediate lenticular s shaped
NGC 4438 RA 12 27 45.3 Dec 13 00 30 Mag(V) 10.2 Dim’ 8.5 x 3.2 SB 13.6 Type SA(s)0/a pec: Unbarred lenticular s shaped peculiar

Locate M84 and M86. Targets lie 30’ to f of M86. Pair of roughly NS galaxies lying 5’ apart. Bright cores and clear extended halos. At 115x direct vision makes NGC 4438 appear brighter but they are quite even with averted vision.

Post Observation Notes. Image here http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/n4438.html is a spectacular example of these 2 galaxies. NGC 4438 is clearly distorted, hence the pec designation in the data. Although image shows them as quite uneven in size and overall brightness, as NGC 4438 has a much larger halo, difference is not as noticeable at the eyepiece.

NGC 4388 Galaxy in Virgo 9.50pm
RA 12 25 47.4 Dec 12 39 42 Mag(V) 11.0 Dim’ 5.6 x 1.3 SB 13.0 Type SA(s)b: sp I-II S Shaped unbarred spiral. Spindle.

Lies about 20’ to N of M84 and M86. Spindle shaped aligned EW. Just a hint of a dust lane. Moderately bright. Ends appear almost pointed.

Post Observation Notes. There is a DSS image here http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4388&r=12:25.8&d =+12:40&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one that shows the dust lane. DSOG only mentions it as visible in scopes 16” plus, so to get hints at 12” was pleasing.

NGC 4461,NGC 4473 and NGC 4477 Galaxies in Virgo “Markarians Chain” 10pm
NGC 4461 RA 12 29 03.1 Dec 13 10 59 Mag(V) 11.2 Dim’ 3.5 x 1.4 SB 12.8 Type SB(s)0+ Late barred lenticular s shaped
NGC 4473 RA 12 29 48.5 Dec 13 25 48 Mag(V) 10.2 Dim’ 4.5 x 2.5 SB 12.8 Type E5 Elliptical
NGC 4477 RA 12 30 02.0 Dec 13 38 11 Mag(V) 10.4 Dim’ 3.8 x 3.5 SB 13.1 Type SB(s)0:? Barred lenticular s-shaped

From NGC 4435 and NGC 4438, a faint star lies to f (mag 10-11) NGC 4461 lies just to N of this. Small, faint and slightly elongated. 2 others form a chain running NF about 30’ long. NGC 4473 and NGC 4477 are much larger and brighter but similar in structure.

Post Observation Notes. The DSS images of these three can be found below
NGC 4461 http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4461&r=12:29.0&d =+13:11&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one
NGC 4473 http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4473&r=12:29.8&d =+13:26&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one
NGC 4477 http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4477&r=12:30.0&d =+13:38&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one
As can be seen in the images, 2 of the galaxies have nearby companions, NGC 4461 has NGC 4458 (mag 12.1) and NGC 4477 has NGC 4479 (mag 12.4) neither of which were seen.


NGC 4261 Galaxy in Virgo 10.20pm
RA 12 19 23.2 Dec 05 49 30 Mag(V) 10.4 Dim’ 4.1 x 3.6 SB 13.3 Type E2-3 Elliptical

From 17 Virgonis a pair of stars lies 1deg20’ to Np running NS, both mag 8. Galaxy lies just to p of point halfway between these two stars. Round blur with a clear core. Averted vision at 115x gives impression of unevenness at the edges.

Post Observation Notes. From DSS image http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4261&r=12:19.4&d =+05:49&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one there is no evidence of unevenness around the edges but the delineation of core and halo is very clear.

NGC 4273 and NGC 4281 Galaxies in Virgo “The Eyes” 10.27pm
NGC 4273 RA 12 19 55.6 Dec 05 20 27 Mag(V) 11.9 Dim’ 2.3 x 1.5 SB 13.1 Type SB(s)c ii-iii Barred spiral s shaped
NGC 4281 RA 12 20 21.5 Dec 05 23 15 Mag(V) 11.3 Dim’ 3.0 x 1.5 SB 12.8 Type S0+ :sp Late lenticular spindle shaped

The 2 mag 8 stars mentioned above point to s to area of targets which is 50’ away and very slightly f. Pair of faint galaxies just visible. The p galaxy of the pair (NGC 4273)runs NS while NGC 4281 runs EW. Nice faint pair.

Post Observation Notes. The image here http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4273&r=12:19.9&d =+05:21&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one shows the field surrounding NGC 4273. The spiral in the center is NGC 4273 with NGC 4281 on the left edge of the image. My visual impression was that NGC 4273 is extended EW which is not obvious in this image. Also shown are NGC 4277 (mag 13.4) to left of NGC 4273, NGC 4268 (mag 12.8) below and to the right, NGC 4270 (mag 12.2, see below) at the top of the image, IC 3153 (mag 14.8) is the nearly circular galaxy below and to the right if NGC 4270.

NGC 4270 Galaxy in Virgo 10.30pm
RA 12 19 49.8 Dec 05 27 49 Mag(V) 12.2 Dim’ 2.0 x 0.9 SB 12.7 Type S0 Lenticular

Lies just to N of NGC 4273, just visible with averted vision.

NGC 4365 Galaxy in Virgo 10.40pm
RA 12 24 28.1 Dec 07 19 01 Mag(V) 9.6 Dim’ 6.9 x 5.0 SB 13.4 Type E3 Elliptical

A NS line of 3 stars, mag 8.5, lies 2.5deg to Nf of 17 Virgonis. Middle star is a double. Target lies 50’ to p of this line. Round glow, clear core, fades evenly into halo.

NGC 4457 Galaxy in Virgo 10.55pm
RA 12 28 59.4 Dec 03 34 15 Mag(V) 10.9 Dim’ 2.7 x 2.3 SB 12.7 Type (R)SAB(s)0/a II Mixed s shaped barred spiral with outer ring.

From 16 Virgonis, a pair of mag 7 and 8 stars lies 2.5 deg to f. Target lies abot 50’ to p of these. Has a very faint star on p side, a mag 8.5 star lies to Np. At 67x core is stellar with a surrounding glow. At 115x, core is easily seen as a large round ball with faint halo.

Post Observation Notes. Although description in sources indicate an s shaped barred spiral, image here http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!4457&r=12:29.0&d =+03:34&e=J2000&h=15&w=15&f=GIF&c=n one and my impression was of an elliptical.

Observations for 3/5/11 Seeing good, transparency good.

NGC 4565 Galaxy in Coma Berenices (Caldwell 38) 10.40pm
RA 12 36 21.5 Dec 25 59 07 Mag(V) 9.6 Dim’ 15.8 x 2.1 SB 13.2 Type SA(s)b? sp I S shaped unbarred spiral, spindle.

Locate Alpha Comae Berenices by naked eye, move Np to 35 Comae Berenices (confirm by nearby M64) continue in same direction to locate large open cluster Meliotte 111 in finder. Target is on f edge of cluster. Long streak nearly half as wide as FOV at 115x. Dark lane not seen.

Post Observation Notes. Disappointed not to see dark lane, probably due to low position and light pollution to north.

NGC 4559 Galaxy in Virgo (Caldwell 36) 11.00pm
RA 12 35 57.7 Dec 25 57 52 Mag(V) 10.0 Dim’ 10.7 x 4.4 SB 14.0 Type SAB(rs)cd II-III Mixed spiral

Lies 2 deg N of NGC 4565. Broader and lower surface brightness, has a faint star on f edge. Some mottling. Low position makes hard to pick details.

Post Observation Notes. http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/n4559.html This image shows NGC 4559 as a glorious spiral. The star just on the right edge is mentioned above. Almost directly opposite it is a small detached area. According to the NGC/IC Project website, that is IC 3550.

Malcolm

Last edited by barx1963; 24-05-2011 at 08:22 PM.
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Old 24-05-2011, 08:19 PM
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Paddy (Patrick)
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Great to get some more of your reports Malcolm. Before I noted the dates properly I thought they were recent obs and I couldn't believe that you'd had any clear skies of late. It's been abysmal around our way although it's clear right now when I'm 50km from my scope!

Some very nice detail spotted in some of these galaxies, well done. Only little pedantic bit for your records is that NGC 4565 is in Coma Berenices.
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Old 24-05-2011, 08:25 PM
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barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

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Thanks Paddy. I've fixed the error. Hopefully Les hasn't spotted it!
Haven't had any skies for 3 weeks, but very busy so haven't been able to get my notes together. Had the State Rock'n'Roll Dance Titles last week and as I am State President, just had no time. It is clear tonight so you never know, might get out for a quick look.

Malcolm
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Old 25-05-2011, 11:39 AM
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Paddy (Patrick)
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No wonder you've been busy. I knew you loved dancing but didn't know the lofty heights to which you've climbed. I assume your official post facilitates scheduling events for full moons and away from star party dates.
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Old 25-05-2011, 05:00 PM
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barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

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Dunno about lofty heights, I'm just the one that cops it if people aren't happy! Anyway Fiona and I had about 10 years of competing and enjoyed it so I am President and she is Secretary at the moment, so its is our way of putting a little back in. Unfrtunately it means we have no life for the 2 months or so leading up to the State Titles each year.
We have the Titles locked in to the second weekend in May each year, so it can crimp ones observing occasionally.

Didn't manage to get out last night, It was clear for about an hour after 9pm, had the scope outside and cooling and headed out to setup and in came the clouds. GGGRRRRR!
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Old 26-05-2011, 10:50 AM
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Paddy (Patrick)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barx1963 View Post
Dunno about lofty heights, I'm just the one that cops it if people aren't happy! Anyway Fiona and I had about 10 years of competing and enjoyed it so I am President and she is Secretary at the moment, so its is our way of putting a little back in. Unfrtunately it means we have no life for the 2 months or so leading up to the State Titles each year.
We have the Titles locked in to the second weekend in May each year, so it can crimp ones observing occasionally.

Didn't manage to get out last night, It was clear for about an hour after 9pm, had the scope outside and cooling and headed out to setup and in came the clouds. GGGRRRRR!
Fantastic to have a shared passion.

I understand your GGRRRRRR - this game of clear sky until the scope is out has become a bit too familiar!
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