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Old 08-05-2009, 12:35 PM
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ngcles
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Observing Report -- Mudgee Star Party 2009

Hi All,

Well after the seemingly continuously cloudy weather of the last few months I was chomping at the bit to catch lots of faint photons. The weather report prior to heading up was not exactly encouraging with showers forecast for the Friday rain on Saturday and showers Sunday. At least Thursday seemed okay …

So off we set on Thursday morning with, as usual, with all the lingering nagging doubts about ‘what vital thing have I left behind’ that only go away when you finally unpack it all. This year I did forget something – but it wasn’t vital – I forgot to take a fork. The knife, spoon, tea-spoon etc all made it in but the fork somehow missed the boat. Not exactly the end of the world. Most importantly all the bits of the ‘scope made it.

On the way up the year before last I stopped in briefly at Hartley for a nose-around the old court-house and other buildings that I remembered so fondly from a 5th-grade excursion in 1973. This time with a camera to record it for posterity. It also allowed Gary and Taylor to catch-up the 20mins they were behind and we met at Lithgow for lunch at the truck-stop. The countryside there looked well-watered and pretty green but does brown-off a bit as you head north and west to Mudgee. Suitably refreshed the final leg to Mudgee took no time at all. By mid-afternoon we were unpacking and setting up under a half-half sky down in the bus-park (valley of the dobs) beside our new digs – an old 15ft Millard caravan that John had procured for less than a song and had put a lot of work into to make not only habitable but very comfortable.

Thanks again John & Patti!!

It was around this time that Gary discovered that he’d left something fairly important behind – his sleeping bag. With some cold nights forecast – not pleasant.

As it turned out, as the afternoon waned and darkness set it the sky improved nicely and gave us an almost full-night’s observing. The SQM gave a reading of 21.55 + a ZLM of 6.39 improving over the course of the night to 21.71 = a ZLM of 6.5. The seeing was a bit better than average and I’d have rated it 7/10.

The soundtrack for the night (albums) was: Drama – Yes, The Wall – Pink Floyd, Amarok – Mike Oldfield, Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin, Let it be – The Beatles, Islands – Mike Oldfield, Animals – Pink Floyd, The Planets – Holst, The Firebird Suite – Stravinsky.

After a few test objects to make sure everything was tickety-boo and a good look at Saturn which was really lovely at both x247 and x317, I settled into my looooong list of unobserved galaxies in Leo and then later on Virgo.

These were them:



x185 27' TF

NGC 2970 Mrkn 405 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 43m 31.0s Dec: +31° 58' 36"
Mag: 14.4 (B) S.B.: 12.9 B-V: +0.76 Size: 0.6'x0.4' Class: E1:
P.A.: 69 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1664 Source: RC3

This is found to the NE of -68 which is a not far NE from -68. -70 is a very small round diffuse spot about 40-50" diameter with a slight/broad azonal central brightening with no evidence of zones or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 2984 (IC 556) Galaxy *
RA: 09h 43m 40.4s Dec: +11° 03' 38"
Mag: 14.4 (P) S.B.: --- -V: --- Size: 0.7' Class: S0?
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +6200 Source: RC3 *

IC 557 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 44m 02.4s Dec: +10° 59' 16"
Mag: 15.0 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.3' Class: Sb
P.A.: 43 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

-84 is in a pretty sparse field but is pretty immediately visible between a couple of mag 15 *s aligned NE - SW. Pretty small, probably no more than about 40" diameter growing evenly and slightly to centre where there is a small spot-type core that is slightly brighter than the halo. IC 557 is SE by 6' and is a very tiny 20" diameter spot of haze of lower SB than -84. Quite to very faint.



x185 27' TF

NGC 2991 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 09h 46m 50.1s Dec: +22° 00' 50"
Mag: 13.5 (B) S.B.: 13.5 B-V: +0.91 Size: 1.4'x1.1' Class: S0
P.A.: 132 Inclination: --- R.V.: +7455 Source: RC3 *

NGC 2988 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 09h 46 48.0s Dec: +22° 00' 44"
Mag: 15.8 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.2' Class: SBbc
P.A.: 37 Inclination: --- R.V.: +7670 Source: PGC *

NGC 2994 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 47m 16.0s Dec: +22° 05' 23"
Mag: 14.0 (B) S.B.: 12.8 B-V: +0.91 Size: 1.3'x0.9'
Class: S0 P.A.: 125 Inclination: 2 R.V.: +7386 Source: RC3 *

These three are together in a group -- -91 and 88 are a merged or touching halos while -94 is 6' NE. -91 is found just above a 13th mag 8 by an arc min or so. -91 is dominant is small and round 40" diameter rising mod and evenly to the centre where there appears to be a small spot. Just barely off the halo W is -88 which is a really tiny touching patch maybe only 10-15" diameter of similar SB. -94 is 8' NE a little brighter than -91, nearly 1' diameter seems to be round or slightly elong in PA 120, grows broadly and slightly to centre where there is a large weakly brighter core zone but no visible nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3026 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 50m 54.2s Dec: +28° 33' 02"
Mag: 13.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.7'x0.7' Class: Im
P.A.: 82 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +1468 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found about 1/2 a field N of a loose group of mag 12 - 13 *s with the brightest stars in a loose quadrangle. In PA 90 and has very LSB and diffuse squashed oval 1.5' x 20" seems to brighten weakly to the axis nr centre and seems to have very feathery edges. Not immediately visible.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3040 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 09h 53m 05.1s Dec: +19° 25' 55"
Mag: 14.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.6' Class: Sb
P.A.: 166 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

This looks a more interesting on the DSS image than in the ep. Found 2' NW from a 13th mag *. Quite small diffuse glow with ill-defined edges maybe slightly elong in PA 0, 50" x 30" with weak edges growing broadly and slightly to centre. At centre there seems to be a slightly elong slightly brighter core zone but no real nucleus.



x185 27' TF

IC 577 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 56m 03.8s Dec: +10° 29' 54"
Mag: 14.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.4' Class: S?
P.A.: 129 Inclination: --- R.V.: +9009 Source: RC3 *

IC 578 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 56m 16.1s Dec: +10° 29' 10"
Mag: 14.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.4' Class: SBa:
P.A.: 72 Inclination: 5 R.V.: +8944 Source: RC3 *

These two egs are side by side E-W of each other only about 4' apart. -77, for a galaxy of its size and brightness has a quite prominent *ar nucleus, or has a * superimposed dead centre. -77 is a bit brighter than -78. Both round, about 30" diameter, LSB growing broadly & moderately to centre. The more I look, the more it seems it is a 15th mag * superimposed just S of centre on -77.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3060 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 56 19.3s Dec: +16° 49' 53"
Mag: 13.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.2'x0.5' Class: Sb
P.A.: 78 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +3745 Source: RC3 *

This is a quite nice little eg that seems like an edge on spiral. Pretty blank field. The galaxy is in PA90, 1.75' x 20" with tips. LSB outer halo grows broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre where there is a small slightly brighter elong zone in the same PA that seems occasionally to contain a stellaring at centre. Quite nice.



x185 27' TF

IC 2520 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 56m 20.1s Dec: +27° 13' 39"
Mag: 14.7 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.6'x0.5'
Class: S? P.A.: 81 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1224 Source: RC3 *

This is a small, nondescript looking round eg that looks like a distant elliptical type. Found to the NE by 2' from a mag 10 *. At best 40" diameter, round and brightens slightly and broadly to the centre with no apparent zones or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3075 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 58m 56.2s Dec: +14° 25' 10"
Mag: 14.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x0.7' Class: Sc
P.A.: 135 Inclination: 3 R.V.: +3566 Source: RC3 *

This is a fairly faint, very small slightly elong eg in about in PA 120, off-round 50" x 30"growing broadly and slightly to the centre without zones or nucleus. There is a faint * just on edge of the halo to the NW about mag 14 on axis.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3080 Mkn 1243 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 59m 55.9s Dec: +13° 02' 40"
Mag: 14.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.9' Class: Sa
P.A.: --- Inclination: 1 R.V.: +10580 Source: RC3 *

IC 585 Galaxy *
RA: 09h 59m 44.1s Dec: +12° 59' 18"
Mag: 14.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.7' Class: S0-:
P.A.: 118 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

Of these two, the brightest seems to be IC 585. Both are small and faint. -IC 585 is very small round spot 30" diameter growing broadly and slightly to the centre where there is a tiny weakly brighter zone. -80 is about 6' NE and is a little smaller and fainter, round and grows broadly and slightly to the centre without zones or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3119 (NGC 3121) Galaxy *
RA: 10h 06m 52.0s Dec: +14° 22' 26"
Mag: 14.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x0.9' Class: E
P.A.: 20 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: NED *

This is a fairly non-descript little eg and looks like a very distant elliptical or lenticular. Ill defined edges, seems to be round and makes a RA tri with a 10th mag * to the NW by 5' and a 13th mag * to the W by 4'. It also has a 15th mag * on the S edge of the halo. 50" diameter, round and grows evenly and slightly at first and then nr centre more strongly to an occasional weak stellaring. Diffuse edges.

Pt 2 to follow ...
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  #2  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:39 PM
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ngcles
The Observologist

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Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 2

Pt 2 ...

x185 27' TF

IC 591 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 07m 27.6s Dec: +12° 16' 27"
Mag: 14.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.8' Class: S?
P.A.: 162 Inclination: 4 R.V.: +2759 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found only one med-power field NW of Regulus (Alpha Leonis). Looks smaller on the DSS than in the ep. Probably nearly 1' diameter, in PA 90, grows broadly and slightly to the centre with no evidence of core or nucleus. Not hard to see, reasonable SB.



x111 44' TF

MCG +2-26-27 DDO 74 Leo I PGC 29488 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 08m 27.5s Dec: +12° 18' 27"
Mag: 11.2 (B) S.B.: 15.2 B-V: --- Size: 9.8'x7.4' Class: E3
P.A.: 80 Inclination: --- R.V.: +168 Source: RC3 *

Leo I is not very hard to see in these conditions. Immediately visible though very LSB and large. Found almost 1/2 a degree N of Regulus. Appears as a large oval, 10-11 x 8' in about PA 90 with a couple of very faint superimposed and Regulus must be excluded from the field. Grows broadly and weakly to centre without zones or nucleus. It occasionally looks a little grainy.



NGC 3130 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 08m 12.5s Dec: +09° 58' 31"
Mag: 14.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.5' Class: S0/a
P.A.: 30 Inclination: 4 R.V.: +8206 Source: RC3 *

This is in the same field as 31 Leonis -- mag 4 * with a deep buttery tint -- eg is only 6' SE. Small, seems round, mod bright eg a bit under an ar-min dia growing mod and slightly to centre and nr centre is grows more strongly to a small spot type nucleus.



NGC 3131 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 08m 36.4s Dec: +18° 13' 52"
Mag: 13.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.4'x0.6' Class: SBb:
P.A.: 54 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +5251 Source: RC3 *

This eg is pretty immediately visible as a distinctly elongated, tapered lens-shaped eg 1' x 10" in PA 75. To its S by 2.5' is a mag 14 star with a threshold mag companion. Seems to grow in brightness broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre and at centre is very small capsule-shaped core/nucleus that is somewhat brighter than its immediate surroundings. Quite nice -- not hard to see.



NGC 3154 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 13m 01.0s Dec: +17° 02' 09"
Mag: 14.3 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.4' Class: Sb
P.A.: 124 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +6634 Source: PGC *

This eg is found close-by to a mag 9 * which is only 3' to the SE. Slightly elong in PA 150, off-round 40" x 30" growing broadly and slightly to centre where there is a comparatively large weakly brighter core but no nucleus.


x185 27' TF

NGC 3190 Hickson 44A Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 18m 05.7s Dec: +21° 49' 57"
Mag: 12.1 (B) S.B.: 11.7 B-V: +0.97 Size: 4.4'x1.2' Class: SA(s)a pec sp
P.A.: 123 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +1289 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3185 Hickson 44C Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 17m 38.5s Dec: +21° 41' 17"
Mag: 13.0 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.82 Size: 2.3'x1.5' Class: (R)SB(r)a
P.A.: 126 Inclination: 4 R.V.: +1239 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3193 Arp 316 Hickson 44B Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 18m 24.7s Dec: +21° 53' 34"
Mag: 11.8 (B) S.B.: 12.1 B-V: +0.95 Size: 2.0'x2.0' Class: E2
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +1379 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3187 Hickson 44D Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 17m 47.8s Dec: +21° 52' 24"
Mag: 13.4 (V) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.47 Size: 3.6'x1.6' Class: SB(s)c pec
P.A.: 50 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1583 Source: RC3 *

The Hickson 44 Group is one of the nicest compact groups of eg's in the sky.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=

All have been previously observed except -87 in smaller apertures.

-97 is the smallest and faintest of the group but is clearly elong in PA 120 and pointed at by -90, it is only about 2.5' away. Fairly faint, like a ghost image of -90, small elong spindle, about 1.5' x 10" of consistent SB.

-90 is a fairly large bright eg with a beautiful *ar nucleus. Classical almost edge on spiral eg in about PA 120 brightens from blunt tips broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre and at centre is a strong stellar nucleus surrounded bu a strong, slightly elong core zone. The S side of that core zone seems underlined as though there is a dark lane there.

-88 is to the NE by 4' from -90 and is just S of a 9th mag *. Fairly HSB round 1.25' diameter, round elliptical looking eg with a mod even brightening profile with a small zone nr centre no nucleus visible.

-85 is to the SW by 12' is lower in SB than -90, fairly bright, 1.75' x 1.25' in PA 150, growing broadly and slightly to centre where there is a small core containing a *ar nucleus.



x185 27' TF

IC 602 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 18m 19.9s Dec: +07° 03' 01"
Mag: 14.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.5' Class: S:
P.A.: 177 Inclination: --- R.V.: +3724 Source: RC3 *

IC 601 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 18m 15.3s Dec: +07° 02' 19"
Mag: 15.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.2' Class: S?
P.A.: 39 Inclination: --- R.V.: +3672 Source: RC3 *

Moderately faint and immediately N of a 13th mag * just off the halo. Seems like a small round eg, 50" diameter. Reasonable SB. Grows broadly and slightly to centre without apparent zones or nucleus. -01 is 1.5' SW.

-01 is only visible after a time at the ep and is very faint.. No more than a tiny, occasionally visible spot about 15" diameter of very LSB fog.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3209 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 20m 38.6s Dec: +25° 30' 20"
Mag: 13.7 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x1.0' Class: E
P.A.: 68 Inclination: --- R.V.: +6197 Source: RC3 *

MCG +4-25-4 PGC 30265 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 20m 58.7s Dec: +25° 31' 10"
Mag: 15.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.3' Class:
P.A.: 175 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

MCG +4-25-3 PGC 30263 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 20m 57.2s Dec: +25° 21' 52"
Mag: 15.0 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.3' Class: S?
P.A.: 40 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1359 Source: RC3 *

PGC 30221 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 20m 35.2s Dec: +25° 23' 00"
Mag: 16.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.2' Class: Sb
P.A.: 67 Inclination: 7 R.V.: --- Source: PGC

The NGC eg is the dominant member of this group but MCG +4-25-4 for the magnitude is surprisingly easy to see as a small, misty round ball 30" diameter growing broadly and slightly to centre without apparent zones core or nucleus. NGC 3209 is W by 5'.

Easy to see as a slightly oval in PA 90 patch about 60" diameter rowing broadly and mod to centre where there is a small sub-stellar spot.

From these two, MCG +4-25-3 is S by 11' as a soft small spot 20" diameter with lowish SB growing slightly to centre with a kind of a hint of a sub-stellar nucleus. PGC 30221 s 5' W as a tiny, tiny almost stellar spot of gossamer 4-10" diameter.



NGC 3213 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 21m 17.3s Dec: +19° 39' 07"
Mag: 14.2 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.9' Class: Sbc:
P.A.: 133 Inclination: 2 R.V.: +1412 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found 1 low-power field to the SE from Gamma Leonis and the group of galaxies around NGC 3190. Pretty easy to see, not difficult but LSB diffuse 1' diameter looks like a LSB spiral type brightening slightly and broadly to centre where there is a whiff of a small weakly brighter spot type core/nucleus -- occasional. Seems to be round.



NGC 3239 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 25m 05.6s Dec: +17° 09' 02"
Mag: 11.7 (B) S.B.: 12.7 B-V: +0.42 Size: 5.0'x3.6' Class: IB(s)m pec
P.A.: 84 Inclination: --- R.V.: +830 Source: RC3 *

MCG +3-27-23 PGC 30564 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 25m 00.9s Dec: +17° 17' 31"
Mag: 15.3 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9'x0.6' Class: C
P.A.: 74 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

PGC 30577 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 25m 05.6s Dec: +17° 16' 12"
Mag: 15.0 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.6'x0.3' Class: C
P.A.: 122 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

MCG +3-27-26 PGC 30573 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 25m 11.5s Dec: +17° 15' 19"
Mag: 15.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x1.2' Class: S
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

MCG +3-27-29 PGC 30595 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 25m 25.9s Dec: +17° 15' 44
Mag: 14.6 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.8' Class: SABc
P.A.: 135 Inclination: 3 R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This is a strange, diffuse looking thing that is found just to the N of the br * in a I tri of mags 8 & 10 *s, that * is involved with it. Seems to be elong in PA 90, fat oval, with a stellaring within the halo almost due east of the 9th mag * on the S flank, a little SW of centre. The stellaring is therefore embedded nr the S flank at the SE end. Probably not the nucleus -- looks too far off centre. The brightest portions of the eg are to the W of that stellaring, reasonable but lowish SB, probably 1.5'' x 1 in PA 90.

Several small spots of haze are 1/2 a field N and are arranged in a "L" shape +1 -- they are the galaxies above. MCG +3-27-29 is the one not part of the "L" but is a little to the E and is the brightest but has the 2nd best SB. The 4 others make the L. All are basically similar in appearance, about 20-30" diameter, and round, though +24 might be off round in PA 120. -23 and PGC 30577 are the smallest, faintest and lowest SB while -26 is probably brightest and best SB. The "L" is only 6' long. The brighter ones are hard while the faintest are pretty difficult and occasional A.V objects.

An image of this interesting group is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=

Pt 3 to follow ...
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  #3  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:42 PM
ngcles's Avatar
ngcles
The Observologist

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Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
Posts: 1,664
Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 3

Pt 3 ...

About this time I had a bit of a wander up to the main observing field to see how people were getting along. There were several there who were doing their SASI modified Messier Marathon and they were all motoring along nicely. I just happened to get there when Tony Austin was on M67 and enjoyed the view through his C8. M67 was in a recent article I did for AS&T and it was also touched upon in a talk I was giving on the Sat arvo, so I was nice to see. After a quick cuppa I was on to Virgo …



NGC 4543 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 35m 20.3s Dec: +06° 06' 54"
Mag: 14.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.5' Class: E3
P.A.: 172 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

This is a fairly non-descript eg looking like a very distant elliptical type and is round, just under 1' diameter -- maybe 50" growing from indistinct edges evenly and slightly at first and then nr centre more strongly to a weak faint *ar nucleus. No *s associated.



IC 3576 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 36m 37.4s Dec: +06° 37' 18"
Mag: 14.0 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.54 Size: 2.3'x2.1' Class: Sm
P.A.: 29 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +1075 Source: RC3 *

Without DSC, this would be very difficult to track down. Very, very LSB and diffuse eg which is hard to see at first. Good size, maybe 1.75' diameter and round, very diffuse edges and has pretty much consistent SB with a hint of a tiny weak spot dead centre.



M 90 NGC 4569 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 12h 36m 50.1s Dec: +13° 09' 48"
Mag: 10.3 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.72 Size: 9.6'x4.3' Class: SAB(rs)ab
P.A.: 23 Inclination: 6 R.V.: -311 Source: RC3 *

IC 3583 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 12h 36m 43.8s Dec: +13° 15' 31"
Mag: 13.3 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.2'x1.1' Class: IBm
P.A.: 0 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1009 Source: RC3 *

This eg is a companion to M90, about 5' N of the centre of M90. M90 is a huge and bright eg in PA 15, with a large candle-flame shaped halo 7.5' x 2.5'. Good SB smooth textured halo growing slightly to the centre. At centre is a brilliant 12th-13th mag stellar nucleus surrounded by a core only a little larger than that nucleus. Really, really beautiful.

-83 is found next to the faintest star at the RA of a RA tri made up by mag 11, 12 & 13 *s. The eg is basically a small amount of LSB surrounding that mag 13 *. Difficult to discern its extent, probably no more than 30-40" diameter mainly to the N of the *.



NGC 4587 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 38m 35.4s Dec: +02° 39' 26"
Mag: 14.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.4' Class: SA(r)0^:
P.A.: 48 Inclination: --- R.V.: +901 Source: RC3 *

This is a small mod faint elong eg in PA 45 beside a long almost RA I Tri of mag 12 & 13 *s. Oval, reasonable SB 1.0' x 20" grows broadly and slightly to centre without apparent core or nucleus.



NGC 4591 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 39m 12.5s Dec: +06° 00' 47"
Mag: 14.0 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.5'x0.7' Class: S?
P.A.: 37 Inclination: 5 R.V.: +2450 Source: RC3 *

This is a fairly plain-jane small oval eg of mod SB, seems to be slightly elong in about PA 45, 50" x 30", no *s immediately associated, grows broadly and slightly to centre without apparent zones or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

IC 3631 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 39m 48.0s Dec: +12° 58' 25"
Mag: 14.6 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.7' Class: S?
P.A.: 86 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2839 Source: RC3 *

This is a small plain little eg that is slightly elong in PA 90, has a small, occasional stellaring visible in the centre and overall it is oval, 40" x 20, seems to grow slightly to the axis nr centre.



NGC 4596 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 39m 56.1s Dec: +10° 10' 33"
Mag: 11.4 (B)S.B.: --- B-V: +0.94 Size: 4.4'x3.1' Class: SB(r)0+
P.A.: 135 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +1874 Source: RC3 *

Dunno how this one eluded the log for so long. Found just nr a longish scalene tri of mags 9, 10 & 11 *s. Seems slightly elong in PA 90, quite good SB, 2.25' x 1' as an oval shape with LSB edges, growing slightly to a large circular core zone which is slightly brighter than the halo and contains a stellaring at centre.



NGC 4598 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 40m 12.0s Dec: +08° 23' 02"
Mag: 13.7 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x1.0' Class: SB0
P.A.: 89 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +1961 Source: RC3

This eg appears in a pretty blank field but has a mag 15 * just off the southern end of the halo. Very small, soft LSB halo probably 50" diameter growing broadly and weakly to centre where there is a fairly large weakly brighter core zone occasionally visible with a whiff of a stellaring occasionally at centre.



IC 3672 (IC 809) Galaxy *
RA: 12h 42m 08.7s Dec: +11° 45' 15"
Mag: 14.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.9' Class: E
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +247 Source: RC3 *

This eg is nearby to M59 -- N by 7' and also 2.5' N of a mag 10.5 *. Small diffuse patch of haze 30-40 " diameter. Growing from indistinct edges broadly and slightly to centre with n evidence of core or nucleus.




x185 27' TF

NGC 4626 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 42m 25.3s Dec: -07° 02' 42"
Mag: 12.7 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.4' Class: SB(s)bc: sp
P.A.: 40 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

NGC 4628 Mkn 1333 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 42m 25.3s Dec: -06° 58' 14"
Mag: 14.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7'x0.5' Class: SA(s)b: sp
P.A.: 46 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2696 Source: RC3 *

PGC 42600 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 41m 50.9s Dec: -07° 10' 12"
Mag: 14.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.6' Class: SA0^
P.A.: 116 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

The two NGC eg's are a really lovely pair of nearly identical twin edge-on spirals. Both in PA 45. -26 is slightly the smaller and fainter, it is near a couple of mag 12 *s with which it forms a Tri, 1.5' x 10" in PA 45 growing slightly nr the axis nr centre where there is a slightly brighter small streak-like core and an occasional stellaring dead centre.

-28 is to the N of -26 by about 3' slightly lower SB than -26 but a little larger 1.75' x 10" growing weakly to centre with no really apparent core but dead centre is a very faint stellaring.

PGC 42600 is about 12' SW and little more than a small, 30" diameter patch of weak for with almost no central brightening.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=


x185 27' TF

IC 3718 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 44m 46.0s Dec: +12° 21' 12"
Mag: 14.1 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.7'x0.9' Class: S
P.A.: 72 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +971 Source: RC3 *

In an almost blank field this is a really dim eg. It is nr a tri made up my 14th and 15th mag *s. A very LSB, gossamery spindle-shaped patch with brightening weakly to centre with no apparent core or nucleus. 1.5' x 30" in PA 60.



x185 27' TF

IC 3720 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 44m 47.6s Dec: +12° 03' 49"
Mag: 15.0 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7'x0.9' Class: E?
P.A.: 130 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This eg is like IC 3718 (previous) only even lower in SB. Seems elong in PA 150, longish halo 1.75' x 15" with no apparent central brightening at all. There is a very faint star at the southern tip -- about mag 15.5.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4671 Mkn 1334 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 45m 47.6s Dec: -07° 04' 10"
Mag: 14.0 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.6'x1.0' Class: E+ pec:
P.A.: 143 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This is a fairly small non-descript looking little eg that is fairly faint but has reasonable SB. Almost looks stellar at first glance and makes an almost RA tri with a couple of mag 14.5 *s to the NW and SW only an arc-min or so away. Round, just under 1' diameter grows evenly and slightly to the centre and at centre more strongly to a mag 15 *ar nucleus dead-centre.



NGC 4680 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 46m 54.7s Dec: -11° 38' 09"
Mag: 13.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.4'x1.1' Class: Pec
P.A.: 55 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2492 Source: RC3

This eg has a 14th mag * embedded in the outer halo on the E edge. Probably just slightly off-round in PA 90, 50" x 40" reasonable SB halo growing broadly and slightly to the centre without zones or apparent nucleus. Not hard to see at all.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4682 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 47m 15.6s Dec: -10° 03' 45"
Mag: 12.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.5'x1.2' Class: SAB(s)cd
P.A.: 83 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2307 Source: RC3 *

MCG -2-33-15 PGC 43345 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 49m 23.6s Dec: -10° 07' 03"
Mag: 12.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 4.0'x3.1' Class: SB(s)m
P.A.: 70 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1318 Source: RC3 *

MCG -2-33-10A (MCG -2-33-10) PGC 43236 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 48m 09.7s Dec: -10° 11' 11"
Mag: 16.1 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.4' Class: SB(s)m
P.A.: 134 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

PGC 43237 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 48m 05.6s Dec: -10° 10' 36"
Mag: 15.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.6' Class:
P.A.: 5 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

-82 is a quite bright but LSB diffuse looking eg. 2.25' x 1.5' in about PA 90 with nebulous edges growing broadly and slightly to the centre without apparent core or nucleus. there is a 14th mag * not far off the NE end of the halo. E by a med-power field is MCG -2-33-15.

-15 is a large, 3' diameter round patch of diaphanous gossamer, very, very LSB, faint and grows weakly to centre with no apparent core or nucleus.

Almost between but a little S of these two is tiny MCG -2-33-10A and PGC 43237. -10A is a small 30 x 20" patch of consistent SB gossamer -- very faint in PA 135. -37 is no more than a stellar-spot of fog just to its N by less than 1'.

Pt 4 to follow ...
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  #4  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:45 PM
ngcles's Avatar
ngcles
The Observologist

ngcles is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
Posts: 1,664
Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 4

Pt 4 ...

x185 27' TF

IC 3773 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 47m 15.3s Dec: +10° 12' 16"
Mag: 13.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.9'x0.7' Class: E
P.A.: 20 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1095 Source: RC3 *

This is a small quite elong eg in about PA 30 seeming to have a 16th mag * on axis at the NE tip. Just over 1' long x 15" very diffuse LSB outer halo. Good sized slightly brighter oval core and an occasionally visible stellaring in the centre.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4690 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 47m 55.6s Dec: -01° 39' 20"
Mag: 13.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.7' Class: (R')SA0-?
P.A.: 150 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

MCG +0-33-10 PGC 43128 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 47m 00.9s Dec: -01° 34' 41"
Mag: 14.6 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.4'x0.8' Class: SA(s)m?
P.A.: 67 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

-90 is found in a very thinly populated field and is a pretty plain-jane little thing. 1' x 45" in PA 150. Fairly LSB growing broadly and slightly to the centre without zones, core but seems to have a threshold mag stellaring or spot in the centre.

MCG +0-33-10 is 12' NW and is a very faint 20" diameter round spot of fog with a weak central brightening.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4705 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 49m 24.9s Dec: -05° 11' 43"
Mag: 13.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 3.0'x1.0' Class: SAB(s)bc: sp
P.A.: 125 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3

NGC 4718 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 50m 32.6s Dec: -05° 16' 56"
Mag: 14.7 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.8'x0.6' Class: SB(rs)b? sp
P.A.: 100 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This is a really lovely very elong faint spiral in about PA 150 with an embedded star nr the tip of the halo at the SE end. Probaly 2.75' x 15" with a very diffuse LSB outer halo, large elong core slightly brighter than the halo but no real nucleus. The * at the SE end makes it look a little asymmetric and shorter at that end at first glance.

-18 is about 15' SE of -05 as a small oval glow in PA 150, about 40" x 20" with a diffuse edges growing broadly and slightly to centre and a very faint spot nr centre barely brighter than the halo.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=



x185 27' TF

NGC 4708 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 49m 41.8s Dec: -11° 05' 33"
Mag: 14.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.9' Class: SA(r)ab pec?
P.A.: 50 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

this is a good-size oval mod bright eg which is probably the best part of 1.5' x 1' in about PA 45. Good SB halo growing broadly and slightly to centre without apparent zones core or nucleus. No *s immediately associated.. To the SE is a mag 13* 2.5' away.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4734 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 51m 12.8s Dec: +04° 51' 33"
Mag: 14.2 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.8' Class: Sc?
P.A.: 145 Inclination: 3 R.V.: +7538 Source: RC3 *

This is a fairly small, round and ordinary-looking eg that is NW of an 11th mag * by 5'. Round, just over 1' diameter and grows broadly and slightly to centre without apparent zones or core. There are no *s associated.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4739 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 51m 37.1s Dec: -08° 24' 36"
Mag: 13.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.8'x1.8' Class: E+ pec:
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +3759 Source: RC3 *

This is a reasonable SB mod bright eg found 10' to the NW of a 10th mag *. Looks like a typical SA or SO eg, good SB halo just over 1' diameter growing broadly and slightly to the centre where there is a somewhat brighter small round spot in the centre.



x185 27' TF

NGC 4760 Galaxy *
RA: 12h 53m 07.3s Dec: -10° 29' 39"
Mag: 11.4 (V) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.9'x1.8' Class: E0?
P.A.: 10 Inclination: --- R.V.: +4638 Source: RC3 *

This eg is between two 10th mag *s aligned NE - SW about 10' apart. Round probably 1.5' diameter, good SB grows broadly and slightly to centre where there is a substantially sized 20" diameter mod brighter core zone but no real nucleus inside.


And then on to Serpens for more of the same …



x185 27' TF

NGC 5919 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 15h 21m 37.0s Dec: +07° 43' 09"
Mag: 12.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.6' Class:
P.A.: 111 Inclination: --- R.V.: +12984 Source: RC3

NGC 5920 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 2m 51.9 Dec: +07° 42' 32"
Mag: 14.7 (B) S.B.: 14.6 B-V: +1.12 Size: 1.1'x0.8' Class: S0:
P.A.: 109 Inclination: --- R.V.: +13113 Source: RC3 *

These two eg's lie about 4' apart E-W of each other in a reasonably well populated field. Both are quite small and faint, 30" diameter. -19 is a little fainter than -20, and they both grow broadly and slightly to centre with no apparent core or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 5936 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 30m 00.8s Dec: +12° 59' 24"
Mag: 13.1 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.59 Size: 1.4'x1.2' Class: SB(rs)b
P.A.: 149 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +4047 Source: RC3 *

Not at all difficult to see, a diffuse cottony looking object with no *s associated. Reasonable size, 1.5' dia, round grows broadly and mod to the centre without zones core or nucleus. No *s associated.




IC 4553
IC 4554 Arp 220 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 34m 57.3s Dec: +23° 30' 11"
Mag: 13.9 (B) S.B.: 13.2 B-V: +0.74 Size: 1.5'x1.2' Class: S?
P.A.: 41 Inclination: --- R.V.: +5469 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found in a quite under-populated field to the SW of a mag 10 * by 5'. Very diffuse looking eg, 1.25-1.5' diameter with very diffuse edges. Round growing broadly and slightly to centre where there is a small weakly brighter zone but no apparent core or nucleus



x185 27' TF

NGC 5975 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 39m 58.0s Dec: +21° 28' 13"
Mag: 15.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.2' Class: S?
P.A.: 171 Inclination: 6 R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

MCG +4-37-21 PGC 55749 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 40m 08.8s Dec: +21° 30' 56"
Mag: 15.1 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.7' Class: SBb
P.A.: 173 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

Both of these are very small and faint galaxies. -21 is about 3' NE of -75. -75 is a small lens-shaped LSB object about 50" x 15" in PA 0 growing slightly in brightness to the centre but no apparent core or nucleus.

-21 is 3' NE and is a little fainter and lower in SB, round, about 30" diameter brightening weakly to centre with no apparent core or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 5991 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 45m 16.8s Dec: +24° 37' 50"
Mag: 14.7 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.5' Class: S
P.A.: 124 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

MCG +4-3-30 PGC 55958 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 45m 23.3s Dec: +24° 30' 25"
Mag: 15.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.3' Class: R
P.A.: 99 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

These two very tiny and faint egs are about 7' apart, N-S of each other with the NGC eg to the N. -91 is 30" diameter rising mod slightly and evenly to centre where there is a faint *ar nucleus. -30 is similar with a weaker brightening and no stellar nucleus.



NGC 6020 (IC 1148) Galaxy *
RA: 15h 57m 08.4s Dec: +22° 24' 15"
Mag: 13.8 (B) S.B.: 12.9 B-V: +1.03 Size: 1.4'x1.0' Class: E
P.A.: 140 Inclination: --- R.V.: +4357 Source: RC3 *

This eg is not quite pointed at from the NW by a couple of mag 11.5 *s. Its pretty small, 40" diameter, round and grows slightly and evenly to the centre and nr centre moderately but no real zone, core or nucleus visible.



x185 27' TF

NGC 6023 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 57m 49.6s Dec: +16° 18' 36"
Mag: 14.2 (B) S.B.: 13.6 B-V: +1.12 Size: 1.4'x0.9' Class: E
P.A.: 70 Inclination: --- R.V.: +11140 Source: RC3 *

NGC 6022 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 57m 47.9s Dec: +16° 16' 58"
Mag: 15.3 (B) S.B.: 13.4 B-V: +0.63 Size: 0.8'x0.5' Class: (R')SB(s)bc
P.A.: 70 Inclination: --- R.V.: +11225 Source: RC3 *

MCG +3-41-12 PGC 56503 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 58m 02.9s Dec: +16° 20' 53"
Mag: 15.4 (B) S.B.: 14.0 B-V: +0.84 Size: 1.0'x0.8' Class: SA(s)c
P.A.: 133 Inclination: --- R.V.: +13499 Source: RC3 *

MCG +3-41-8 PGC 56490 Galaxy *
RA: 15h 57m 42.6s Dec: +16° 13' 07"
Mag: 15.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7' Class: SA0^
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +10120 Source: RC3 *

These four are arranged in a line running N-S in this order: MCG +3-41-12, NGC 6023, NGC 6022, MCG +3-41-8. The whole line is only 10' long. The two brightest is -23, followed by -08, -12 and -22. -23 is moderately faint about 40" across and grows broadly and slightly to the centre with no zones but an occasional hint of a stellaring in the centre. The others are similar but smaller and fainter with -22 perhaps the smallest and -12 the faintest. None of the other 3 have any evidence of nuclei.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=



x185 27' TF

IC 1158 Galaxy *
RA: 16h 01m 34.1s Dec: +01° 42' 30"
Mag: 13.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.4'x1.6' Class: SAB(r)c:
P.A.: 137 Inclination: 4 R.V.: +1927 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found alongside a 12' long I tri of 12th & 13th mag *s. Very diffuse and LSB eg slightly elong in PA 135, 1.75' x 1' but of consistently LSB brightening weakly to centre if at all with no core or nucleus visible.

Pt 5 to follow ...
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  #5  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:47 PM
ngcles's Avatar
ngcles
The Observologist

ngcles is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
Posts: 1,664
Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 5

Pt 5 ...

x185 27' TF

IC 1167 Double Galaxy *
RA: 16h 03m 52.9s Dec: +14° 56' 46"
Mag: 15.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.6'x0.5' Class: L
P.A.: 121 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

IC 1168 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 16h 03m 55.7s Dec: +14° 54' 08"
Mag: 15.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.7' Class: E
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

IC 1174 Galaxy *
RA: 16h 05m 26.8s Dec: +15° 01' 31"
Mag: 14.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.7' Class: SA0/a:
P.A.: 60 Inclination: 2 R.V.: +4688 Source: RC3

-67 and -68 are two very tiny and faint eg that are almost N-S of each other with -67 to the N. They are only 3.5' apart. They appear at either end of a 2.5' x 1.5' RA tri of mag 13 & 14 *s. Very, very tiny, 14" diameter growing slightly to the centre.

-74 is only one med-pwr field E and is slightly brighter and larger. Almost pointed at from the E by a short curved line of mag 12 *s. Weakly elong in PA 90 40" - 50" diameter LSB outer halo and perhaps a small, slightly brighter core-zone but no nucleus.



x185 27' TF

IC 1197 Galaxy *
RA: 16h 08m 17.3s Dec: +07° 32' 20"
Mag: 14.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.9'x0.4' Class: Scd:
P.A.: 56 Inclination: 7 R.V.: --- Source: RC3

This is just gorgeous, really beautiful in about PA 45. Very faint LSB edge on sliver of a spiral 1.75' x 5" -- just a streak of gossamer with no detectable core or nucleus. Very spunky.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=


By this time it was just on 2am and though I’m not normally one to get tired under an unsullied sky, for some reason I was completely buggered and decided after a bit of socialising on the main field, that I’d call it a night. A quick visit up to the field for a chat and check how people were going with their Messier Marathon revealed that a little high-cloud was creeping in from the west. Those doing the marathon were on to their last few objects and M29 was stubbornly behind a tree making for a short wait. While the cloud didn’t look threatening, I decided to put the big waterproof coat on the ‘scope and head for bed for some badly needed shut-eye.

*********************************** **********************************

When I woke the following morning (10.15am) the sky was dark with cloud and threatening showers. Though not much fell during the day, it was enough to make me think that there was no hope at all of observing that night.

Into Mudgee township for a bit of a look round, pick up some vital supplies for a cloudy evening (Tooheys Old) a gas bottle for the van and a few other odds and sods and of course a kebab — at the shop opposite wollies in the woolworths mall (they are exceptionally yummy, big and cheap). We then headed back out mid-afternoon and I was a bit surprised to find it was clearing up as evening approached.

Surprisingly I found myself uncovering everything at about 6pm under a rapidly clearing sky. I set to work at 7.30pm and while there was still the odd cumulus around and it was a bit breezy, it was basically clear. The seeing was absolutely appalling – really horrible, at best a 3-4/10 and spoke of a change in the weather to come soon.

The soundtrack for the evening was: Dreamboat Annie – Heart, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles, A Saucerful of Secrets – Pink Floyd, Tubular Bells III – Mike Oldfield, Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Ummagumma, Pink Floyd.

To start the evening, I spent about ¾ of an hour visiting several binocular targets with my 15x70s – particularly around the Crux/Carina area and I also spent a bit of time on the Virgo Cluster of galaxies and found more than 10 of the brighter members. It was at this time that Craig McIntyre and Marnie popped down to announce their engagement to us — great news.

Meanwhile, through the ‘scope the star images looked like tennis balls. Notwithstanding the sky was, well … okay … darkness wise with an SQM reading of 6.57 = ZLM 6.42 – so off I went back into Leo.


IC 610 (IC 611) Galaxy *
RA: 10h 26m 28.3s Dec: +20° 13' 40"
Mag: 14.7 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.4'x0.4' Class: Sbc sp
P.A.: 32 Inclination: 7 R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This is a very pretty, small spindle shaped that makes a tri with two mag 10 *s to the N in a pair and another 9th mag to the NW. Elong in about PA 15, 1.75 x 10" streak as a lowish SB diffuse looking streak growing weakly to the axis near centre but there is no apparent core or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3248 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 27m 45.5s Dec: +22° 50' 50"
Mag: 13.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.5'x1.1' Class: S0
P.A.: 134 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

MCG +4-25-21 PGC 30818 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 28m 20.8s Dec: +22° 34' 19"
Mag: 14.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.8'x0.5' Class: S?
P.A.: 158 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +531 Source: RC3 *

This eg forms a RA tri with stars to its W and SW = br at mag 8 & 9, 8 & 9 arc mins away. Bit over an arc minute diameter, maybe 1.5' diameter round or just off-round in PA 135. Diffuse edges brows broadly and slightly to the centre where there is a small slightly brighter zone and a weak spot-type nucleus.

MCG +4-25-21 is 20' S and is E of a mag 10 * by 4'. that star has a 12th mag companion. A small, 50" x 15" in PA 150 lens shaped object with quite LSB brightening slightly to centre.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3253 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 28m 27.4s Dec: +12° 42' 15"
Mag: 14.3 (B) S.B.: 13.6 B-V: +0.72 Size: 1.2'x1.1' Class: SAB(rs)bc
P.A.: 45 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +9711 Source: RC3 *

This eg forms a longish RA tri with a couple of 10th mag * to the NE and another to the WNW a few arc-mins away. Small diffuse blob of pretty much consistent SB, not quite an arc-minute diameter growing broadly and slightly tot he centre without zones core or nucleus. Fairly well populated field for Leo.



NGC 3251 (IC 2579) Galaxy *
RA: 10h 29m 16.9s Dec: +26° 05' 58"
Mag: 14.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.7'x0.8' Class: SB?
P.A.: 56 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +5131 Source: RC3 *

This is a small but very elong eg that points at a small flat tri of mag 2x 9th and 1x 12th mag *s 5' away to the NE. In PA 45, probably 1.5' x 10", seems to be a tipped halo of lowish SB growing broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre but no apparent zones, core or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3270 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 31m 30.0s Dec: +24° 52' 06"
Mag: 13.9 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.85 Size: 3.1'x0.8' Class: SAB(r)b:
P.A.: 10 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +6284 Source: RC3 *

This is a small quite elong apparently edge-on spiral eg found to the NW by 14' from an 8th mag *. 2' x 10" in PA 15, Hard to tell whether it has hard "tips", the outer halo has quite LSB and grows broadly and slightly to centre where there is a small slightly elong stellaring dead centre.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3274 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 32m 17.0s Dec: +27° 40' 08"
Mag: 13.2 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.39 Size: 2.3'x1.4' Class: SABd?
P.A.: 94 Inclination: --- R.V.: +519 Source: RC3 *

This is a pretty small slightly oval eg that looks pretty diffuse but has reasonable SB. Slightly elong in PA 90, 50" x 40" in PA 90, grows broadly to centre to a slightly elong weakly brighter core zone but no real nucleus.

But the mostly clear sky didn’t last long and before ¾ of an hr, it was clouded in and threatening showers. Worse it was quite breezy. During the next few hrs we listened to the music, watched a movie, enjoyed a drink or two and listened to the showers come and go. There was some lightning away to the south and southeast. Not so good – observing wise anyway.

Nobody expected it to break – but it did about 12mn and revealed a lovely dark sky with strangely good seeing – and that was the really puzzling part. We enjoyed some pleasing viewing of Saturn on the way down to the western horizon, some Virgo Favourites and then decided about 2.30am decided to check out some old friends in Scutum – a great place for Dark Nebulae:


x185 58 TF

B 103 LDN 497 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 39m 21.3s Dec: -06° 37' 48"
Mag: --- Size: 8.0'x3.0' Class: Ir Source: Sky Cat *

A lovely dark nebula about 15' wide by 5' oriented E-W in a thickly carpeted field. Looks quite opaque and dark -- particularly along the southern flanks. The southern flank has a few southward-pointing lobes that add a little to the width of the nebula.



x85 58 TF

B 104 LDN 532 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 47m 18.6s Dec: -04° 33' 53"
Mag: --- Size: --- Class: Source: Sky Cat *

This dark cloud is fairly easy to see in this aperture but shows better in smaller apertures with a wider field. Appears in the shape of a Harpoon aligned N-S with the shaft about 12' long in PA 0 starting about 10' N of Beta Scuti. Thin ribbon, almost straight only 1.5' wide and not seeming so much like a dark nebulae but as an absence of stars. The barb of the harpoon is at the N end and extends in PA 225 about 3' long. The clearest part is where the shaft joins the barb.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=



x85 58 TF

B 106 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 48m 52.5s Dec: -05° 04' 36"
Mag: --- Size: --- Class: Source: Sky Cat *

B 107 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 49m 27.3s Dec: -04° 58' 33"
Mag: ---Size: --- Class: Source: Sky Cat

B 110 LDN 530 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 50m 03.4s Dec: -04° 48' 40"
Mag: --- Size: 11.0' Class: Ir G Source: Sky Cat *

B 113 LDN 548 Dark Nebula
RA: 18h 51m 23.6s Dec: -04° 17' 15"
Mag: --- Size: 11.0' Class: Ir G Source: Sky Cat *

This is a series of interconnected dark nebulae that run SW to NE for a little over a degree. They progress from small to large heading SW - NE too. B 106 is The smallest and the most SW and is only about 3' across and not well defined and not completely dark. B 107 is the next largest and next NE up the chain. Irregular boundaries about 6' diameter but very ragged edges . Seems roughly triangular in shape with the darkest portion nr centre B 110 is the next up the chain and is bigger again, maybe 9', and probably the darkest in the centre of the 4. Slightly oval in PA 0, 9' x 7'. At the NE end is B 113 which is detached from the other 3 and the largest -- seems like 12-15' diameter, ragged edges and seems darkest nr centre.

After than I took a look at a whole swag of PNe in Scorpius and Sagittarius. Some of the best were the old favourites like NGC 6153, NGC 6337, 6302, NGC 6445 and 6072 – there were quite a few more. As the night went on there was the odd cloudy period that never lasted more than about 10 mins and we observed until about 3.30am when the cloud began to get a bit more serious and I was content to pack it up and head for bed.

Pt 6 to follow ...
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  #6  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:49 PM
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ngcles
The Observologist

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Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 6

Pt 6 ...

When I got up on Saturday morning at 6am to … ummm … water s tree it was steady gentle rain. When we woke a second time at about 10am it was still intermittent showers and a fairly dirty sky.

I had good intentions for this particular morning but ended up doing very little (Mudgee just gets you that way). By some miracle a text message managed to make it to my phone (there is usually no reception at Gratti) to let me know that sniffles and flu had arrived at home. I headed toward town (just close enough to get a signal) to make a call and in the end after the call thought about those Kebabs again and, well went and bought one before heading back.
Saturday afternoon was the “semi-formal” part of the star-party with a couple of presentations and the talks. The boys and girls at the G-star conference over at Frog-Rock observatory joined in a swelled the numbers along with a few locals from the fledgling Mudgee Society.

Some hack did a bit of a run-down on the history of Globular Clusters, their history and why they are fundamentally different objects to other clusters. John Sarkissian of the Central West Astronomical Society also entertained us all with a terrific talk about the history of radio astronomy in Australia. That over we headed outside for the obligatory group photo and to find the sky was much better than I’d been expecting. I’d written Saturday night off early in the day but maybe a miracle was going to occur …

Well not quite. The early part of the evening was a parade of cloud and a few heavy showers and by 10.30pm, a lot of people were heading to their tents. John Vetter was hoping for a brief break to spot the “Virgo Flasher” – a failed Japanese geostationary satellite that slowly crawls backward through the sky every third night. For a pic and a bit of a write up see here:

http://www.mudgeeobservatory.com.au/...o-flasher.html

The sky finally obliged at about 11pm and quite a few of us saw it naked eye and then through “Tweety” – John’s 16” f/5 dobsonian mounted Newtonian that was used to discover Comet Lee in 1999. The sky continued to improve and by 12mn it was time to take the wraps off the ‘scope and have a bit of a look round. John Sarkissian was pretty keen for a look through my and Gary’s ‘scopes which were the biggest there.

The sound-track for this evening was: Out of the Blue – ELO, Incantations – Mike Oldfield.

We only got about an hour and a half but it was enough time to give John a few “eyegasms”. They were so good, I’m told John was audible over 200m away. The best one as I recall was NGC 5189 – the spiral planetary in Musca. We also looked at the bug and NGC 6337 and another big eyegasm was NGC 4565 – which put on a stunning view with the 16mm TII at x139.

It was all over in just over an hour when the clouds returned and it started drizzling lightly again. Off to bed a little early at 2am.



The next morning bought little encouragement, weather-wise anyway. It was cloudy and cool all day and the forecast for the night was for wind. The news spoke of snow in the southern alps and even as far north as the Brindabella’s south of Canberra. There was one small piece of good news — they were also forecasting a possible frost which usually means no cloud.

During the early afternoon I set up my P.S.T and took a look at the Sunthrough breaks in the clouds – not a lot to report. Not a jot or titter to be seen and no flares either. Some mild granulation was present but that was about it. I can’t remember a time when I’ve ever seen the Sun so quiet in my time in Astronomy and I’m beginning to feel a little regret that I invested in a H-Alpha ‘scope when so little is to be seen. I guess time will change that.

At 2pm it looked so poor that I though about packing it all up to head home and save some brownie-points with the family. At 3pm the clouds began to lift a little and we all went up the big shed for a slide show of old SASI pics going all the way back to the early 70s – good memories!

By the time that was finished it was nearly 4.30 and just enough time to get it all packed up and head home – if the cloud-picture warranted it. There was just barely enough encouragement to make me stay. So after a quick meal, it was time to sit-down and watch the cloud.

I made the ‘scope ready in about 80% cloud more as an act of defiance than hope – and it worked. By 7pm it was clearing rapidly and stayed that way all night! So off I went into some more Leo galaxies. The soundtrack for the night was:

Rumours – Fleetwood Mac, The Best of Blondie – Blondie, Revolver – The Beatles
Animals – Pink Floyd, Stratosfear – Tangerine Dream, Hyperborea – Tangerine Dream, The Songs of Distant Earth – Mike Oldfield, Hergest Ridge – Mike Oldfield, The Mathematician’s Air Display – Pekka, The Odyssey – David Bedford, Ommadawn – Mike Oldfield.


x185 27' TF

NGC 3274 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 32m 17.0s Dec: +27° 40' 08"
Mag: 13.2 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.39 Size: 2.3'x1.4' Class: SABd?
P.A.: 94 Inclination: --- R.V.: +519 Source: RC3 *

This is a fairly small slightly elong eg which is sitting in the middle of a tri of 1 11th and 2x 13th mag *s pointing in PA 120. It is almost a RA tri. The br * has a small companion. eg is elong in PA 90, 1.25' x 1' growing broadly and slightly to centre with no apparent core or zones except for the hint of a little big of a spot or LSB stellaring a little off centre to the W end.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3279 (IC 622) Galaxy *
RA: 10h 34m 42.7s Dec: +11° 11' 54"
Mag: 13.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.9'x0.3' Class: Sd
P.A.: 152 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +1422 Source: RC3 *

This eg is a very thin, very elong LSB spindle shaped eg in PA 150, and it makes a RA tri with a mag 11.5 & a mag 12 * which are to its N and E by about 4 & 2.5'. 2.25' x 10" growing slightly to the axis nr centre but there is no evidence of any zones, core or nucleus. Very attractive.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3287 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 34m 47.8s Dec: +21° 39' 03"
Mag: 12.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.1'x0.9' Class: SB(s)d
P.A.: 20 Inclination: --- R.V.: +1151 Source: RC3 *

This is a small quite elong eg that is between mag 6 & 8 *s aligned NE - SW 8' apart. It is a little off-centre to the NE between the two. Eg is in PA 30, The star to the SW looks yellowish. LSB 1.5' x 30" growing broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre. At centre is an occasionally visible weakly brighter small capsule-shaped zone.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3299 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 36m 23.9s Dec: +12° 42' 27"
Mag: 13.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.1'x1.5' Class: SAB(s)dm
P.A.: 3 Inclination: --- R.V.: +641 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3306 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 37m 10.3s Dec: +12° 39' 06"
Mag: 14.0 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.4' Class: SB(s)m?
P.A.: 137 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +2887 Source: RC3 *


-99 is the dominant member of this pair and is a fair-sized, 2.0' diameter , or slightly over round, extremely LSB diffuse eg. Gossamery character. Brighten weakly if at all to centre. Maybe slightly elong in PA 30. No zones , core or nucleus. -06 is SE by 10' to the SW of a mag 12*.

-06 smaller but better SB. Small slightly oval glow in PA 135, growing broadly and slightly to centre with no zones, core or nucleus. 40 x 30".



x185 27' TF

NGC 3332 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 40m 28.4s Dec: +09° 11' 00"
Mag: 13.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.4'x2.4' Class: (R)SA0-
P.A.: --- Inclination: 1 R.V.: +5727 Source: RC3 *

This is a very small round eg which has to its SE a mag 13 * not far off the halo. Very diffuse edges, LSB outer halo growing broadly and weakly at first to centre and then nr centre is a zone that is mod brighter growing strongly to centre where there is a spot. Overall seems nearly 1.75' diameter.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3356 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 44m 12.2s Dec: +06° 45' 35"
Mag: 13.8 (B) S.B.: 12.8 B-V: +0.50 Size: 1.7'x0.8' Class: Sbc
P.A.: 102 Inclination: 5 R.V.: +5800 Source: RC3

NGC 3349 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 43m 50.5s Dec: +06° 45' 49"
Mag: 15.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.5' Class: Sc
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

NGC 3362 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 44m 51.7s Dec: +06° 35' 49"
Mag: 13.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.6'x1.2' Class: SABc
P.A.: 39 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +8322 Source: RC3 *

Of these three the dominant member is -56 which is due N of an 11th mag * by 3'. Quite faint and LSB, maybe slightly elong in PA 90. Brightens broadly and slightly to centre and occasionally there is a whiff of a small slightly elong weakly brighter zone in the centre. Overall seems 1.25 x 50".

-49 is to the W by 6' and is a tiny round spot about 30" diameter with a broad slightly concentration to centre. Very LSB. -62 is 15' SE of -56 to the W of a 9th mag *.

-62 is almost as good as -56 fairly diffuse cottony LSB eg, round and about 1.25' diameter growing broadly and mod to centre without evidence of zones or nucleus. In hindsight, the SB is a little better than -56.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3352 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 44m 14.9s Dec: +22° 22' 16"
Mag: 13.5 (B) S.B.: 12.8 B-V: +0.98 Size: 1.6'x1.1' Class: S0
P.A.: 0 Inclination: --- R.V.: +5744 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3363 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 45m 09.5s Dec: +22° 04' 41"
Mag: 14.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.3'x0.8' Class: S?
P.A.: 0 Inclination: 4 R.V.: +5766 Source: RC3 *

-52 is a moderately LSB slightly elong eg mod faint and small and found N of a mag 10.5* by 4-5'. Small halo, 40" x 30" growing broadly and mod to centre and a little more strongly nr centre but no real core or nucleus.

-63 is 20' SE and is W by 3' from an mag 12 *. Very small and faint slightly elong in PA 0, oval 50" x 30" growing broadly and slightly to centre without zones or nucleus.



x185 27' TF

IC 642 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 48m 08.2s Dec: +18° 11' 18"
Mag: 13.6 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.4'x1.2' Class: E?
P.A.: 38 Inclination: --- R.V.: +5928 Source: RC3 *

This eg forms a small I tri with 13th and 14th mag *s to its E and SE about 3' away. Round, mod lsb grows evenly and slightly at first then nearer centre moderately to a small maybe 10" dia slightly brighter spot with no nuclear brightening within the spot. Overall seems a bit over 1' diameter and round.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3391 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 48m 56.4s Dec: +14° 13' 10"
Mag: 13.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.6' Class: S?
P.A.: 35 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2959 Source: RC3 *

This eg is almost superimposed on a mag 13.5*, the * is just to the W of its halo Very small LSB halo, 20-30" diameter -- the * is a distraction in observing it. Appears to grow broadly and slightly to the centre there is a weak stellaring. Quite faint.

Pt 7 to follow ...
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  #7  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:52 PM
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ngcles
The Observologist

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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
Posts: 1,664
Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 7

Pt 7 ...

x185 27' TF

NGC 3399 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 49m 27.6s Dec: +16° 13' 06"
Mag: 13.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7' Class: S0?
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +6826 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3405
UGC 5933 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 49m 43.3s Dec: +16° 14' 19"
Mag: 14.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x1.0' Class: S0
P.A.: 139 Inclination: --- R.V.: +6220 Source: PGC *

MCG +3-28-15 PGC 32418 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 49m 44.4s Dec: +16° 14' 32"
Mag: 15.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.3'x0.3' Class:
P.A.: 51 Inclination: --- R.V.: +6578 Source: PGC *

PGC 32419 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 49m 43.6s Dec: +16° 16' 35"
Mag: 15.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.4' Class:
P.A.: 26 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

This 4 are all members of AGC 1108. -99 & 05 are the dominant 2 though all are very faint.

-99 is imm E of a mag 14 * which is just outside the halo. Round, small spot 15-20" dia growing slightly to centre without zones or nucleus. -05 is E by 4'.

-05 and MCG +3-28-15 have touching or merged haloes E-W of each other. Each is about 15" diameter rising broadly and slightly to centre. Both are fainter than -99.

PGC 32419 is a couple of arc-mins N of the latter 2 and is no more than a tiny almost stellar spot of gossamer with no central brightening apparent.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=



x185 27' TF

NGC 3419 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 17.6s Dec: +13° 56' 47"
Mag: 13.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x1.0' Class: (R)SAB(r)0+
P.A.: 115 Inclination: --- R.V.: +3028 Source: RC3 *

NGC 3419A PGC 32540 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 10h 51m 19.9s Dec: +14° 01' 23"
Mag: 14.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7'x0.2' Class: SB(s)b: sp
P.A.: 137 Inclination: 7 R.V.: +3048 Source: RC3 *

This is a very small eg that seems to be involved with a mag 14 * which seems to be just off its E flank. Small, round, 30" diameter seems to grow broadly and mod to centre where there is a very faint *ar nucleus which for an object this faint and small seems out of place.

-19A is 4' N and is a very tiny slash of extremely LSB haze in PA 135 that is about 30" long and a hair's breadth wide and no apparent nucleus. It makes a RA tri with mag 12 & 13 *s to its SE and SW.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3425 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 25.4s Dec: +08° 34' 02"
Mag: 14.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0' Class: S0
P.A.: --- Inclination: 1 R.V.: +6627 Source: RC3*

NGC 3417 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 01.7s Dec: +08° 28' 25"
Mag: 15.3 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.6' Class:
P.A.: 76 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

NGC 3439 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 25.7s Dec: +08° 33' 27"
Mag: 15.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.5'x0.3' Class:
P.A.: 136 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

-25 is found just to the N of a couple of mag 10.5 *s with which it forms a RA tri a few arc-mins away. Very small round 30" diameter halo, grows broadly and mod to centre without zones but with the suspicion of a very faint stellaring in the centre.

-17 is 7' SW and is fainter, very LSB small round halo maybe 20" diameter with a slight brightening to centre.

-39 is 15' E of -25 and is a threshold spot not much bigger than stellar of gossamer with no apparent central brightening.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3427 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 26.1s Dec: +08° 17' 56"
Mag: 14.2 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.5' Class: S0/a
P.A.: 77 Inclination: --- R.V.: +6263 Source: RC3 *

This is a small oval elong eg in about PA 75 which points almost at a mag 12 * about 2' away. Oval, 40" x 20" growing broadly and slightly to centre where there is a whiff of a slightly brighter spot. Fairly LSB.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3428 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 29.5s Dec: +09° 16' 46"
Mag: 13.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.5'x0.6' Class: SAB(s)b
P.A.: 170 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +7953 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found 4' NE of a 7th mag * which is very distracting. Seems to be elong in PA 15, 40" x 20" and grows slightly to the centre where there is a sub-stellar spot-type nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3426 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 41.6s Dec: +18° 28' 50"
Mag: 14.1 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x0.9' Class: S?
P.A.: 118 Inclination: --- R.V.: +6109 Source: RC3 *

This eg forms a small long S tri with a couple of mag 12 *s to its N by a few arc-mins. Round, mod SB small 40-50" diameter growing broadly and moderately to the centre where there is a small slightly brighter spot-type core nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3434 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 51m 57.9s Dec: +03° 47' 34"
Mag: 12.9 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.1'x1.8' Class: SA(r)b
P.A.: 5 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +3632 Source: RC3 *

This eg is found to the SW of a 13th mag * by only 2' away. Small, fairly small, round or slightly elong in PA 150 oval 50" x 40" grows slightly and broadly to the centre where there is a faint spot or stellaring.



x185 27' TF

IC 653 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 06.8s Dec: -00° 33' 39"
Mag: 13.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 2.0'x0.8' Class: S0/a:
P.A.: 55 Inclination: 5 R.V.: +5538 Source: RC3

This eg forms a small RA tri with mag 13.5 *s to the S and W about 2' away. Seems elong in PA 60 as a small oval glow about 1' x 30" growing broadly and slightly to the centre where there is a good size slightly brighter core zone but no nucleus.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3438 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 26.0s Dec: +10° 32' 51"
Mag: 14.3 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.7' Class: S?
P.A.: --- Inclination: 1 R.V.: +6486 Source: RC3 *

PGC 32636 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 28.9s Dec: +10° 29' 20"
Mag: 15.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.4'x0.3' Class: S
P.A.: 34 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

These two are both very small very faint spots of haze N - S of each other separated but about 3'. Each are about 20" diameter. -38 is probably slightly the brighter and larger and grows slightly to centre. It also has a mag 13.5* a little outside the halo to the E. -36 has a mag 14 * superimposed that dominates it. It is at best 15" diameter and no visible central brightening.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3441 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 31.0s Dec: +07° 13' 31"
Mag: 14.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.4' Class: S?
P.A.: 8 Inclination: 5 R.V.: +6659 Source: RC3 *

This eg forms a small RA tri with 2 *s to the E and SE mags 9 & 11. Fairly small and round, diffuse looking glow about 30" dia growing broadly and slightly to centre where there is a faint stellaring. Not far off the halo to the NE is a mag 14 *.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3444 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 52m 59.3s Dec: +10° 12' 36"
Mag: 15.5 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.1' Class: Sbc: sp
P.A.: 19 Inclination: 7 R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This is a very tiny and extremely faint eg just N of a small tri of mag 13.5*s. Very, very tiny spot of haze, occasionally visible 15" diameter at best hard to see any other structure.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3462 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 55m 21.0s Dec: +07° 41' 49"
Mag: 13.2 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7'x1.2' Class: S0:
P.A.: 60 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This eg makes a tri with *s to the E and SE, equidistant about 8' mags 8 & 10. Fairly small diffuse looking object with a prominent core/nucleus. 1' diameter grows evenly and slightly to centre where there is a small mod brighter core zone containing a sub-stellar spot.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3466 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 56m 15.5s Dec: +09° 45' 16"
Mag: 14.4 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.1'x0.6' Class: SB(s)b:
P.A.: 55 Inclination: 4 R.V.: --- Source: RC3

NGC 3467 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 56m 44.0s Dec: +09° 45' 33"
Mag: 14.4 (B) S.B.: --- -V: +0.99 Size: 0.9'x0.8' Class: S0
P.A.: 31 Inclination: 1 R.V.: +9477 Source: RC3 *

MCG +2-28-29 PGC 32887 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 56m 33.0s Dec: +09° 56' 02"
Mag: 14.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.7' Class: Sab
P.A.: 167 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

The two NGC objects are aligned E - W about 5' apart. The two form a long flat E-W tri with a mag 11 * between them and a little to the N. Look very similar, round 30" diameter growing slightly to centre and at centre of each is a small, faint stellaring.

MCG +2-28-29 is N of that mag 11 * by 9' as a very small and faint LSB spot of gossamer about 30" diameter with no discernable central brightening and no core or nucleus evident.

Pt 8 to follow ...
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  #8  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:54 PM
ngcles's Avatar
ngcles
The Observologist

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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Billimari, NSW Central West
Posts: 1,664
Observing report Mudgee Star Party 2009 Pt 8

Pt 8 ...

x185 27' TF

NGC 3475 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 58m 25.3s Dec: +24° 13' 35"
Mag: 14.0 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.7'x1.1' Class: Sa
P.A.: 65 Inclination: 3 R.V.: +6350 Source: RC3 *

MCG +4-26-23 PGC 33020 Galaxy *
RA: 10h 58m 28.4s Dec: +24° 22' 24"
Mag: 15.0 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.7' Class: Sc
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

This eg is between a couple of of 13th & 14th mag *s that are aligned almost N-S and about 3' apart. Very small, 30-40" diameter, round and grows broadly and slightly to centre without zones, core or nucleus evident.

MCG +4-26-23 is 10' of -75 and is a similar if slightly fainter object, round and grows broadly and slightly to centre. No other structure.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3491 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 00m 35.4s Dec: +12° 09' 42"
Mag: 14.3 (B) S.B.: 12.2 B-V: +1.03 Size: 0.9' Class: S0-:
P.A.: --- Inclination: --- R.V.: +6386 Source: RC3 *

MCG +2-28-37 PGC 33147 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 00m 04.5s Dec: +12° 14' 07"
Mag: 14.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.0'x0.4' Class: Sbc
P.A.: 126 Inclination: 5 R.V.: --- Source: RC3 *

This eg appears about 9' to the NW from a bright and distracting 7th mag *. Fairly small round diffuse glow about 50" diameter rising in brightness broadly and slightly to centre without any apparent zones but does seem to contain a faint stellaring at centre.

MCG +2-28-37 is pointed at by a line from the 5th mag * and -91 extended once. Small oval slightly elong in PA 120 brightening slightly to centre. A 14th mag * is not far off the halo to the E.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3487 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 11h 00m 46.6s Dec: +17° 35' 14"
Mag: 14.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.2'x0.6' Class: Sb? sp
P.A.: 153 Inclination: 6 R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

This eg is a pretty small quite faint elong lens-shaped object in PA 150. Forms a small tri with a couple of 15th mag *s to its SE and E. Elong halo 40" x 20" growing broadly and slightly to centre without zones, core or nucleus evident.



x185 27' TF

NGC 3492 Multi-Galaxy Sys *
RA: 11h 00m 57.3s Dec: +10° 30' 20"
Mag: 14.2 (B) S.B.: 12.8 B-V: +1.02 Size: 1.3'x0.9' Class: S?
P.A.: 87 Inclination: --- R.V.: +10874 Source: RC3 *

IC 664 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 00m 45.3s Dec: +10° 33' 11"
Mag: 14.0 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.5'x1.2' Class: S0?
P.A.: 44 Inclination: --- R.V.: +10127 Source: RC3 *

IC 663 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 00m 37.3s Dec: +10° 26' 13"
Mag: 15.4 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.8'x0.6' Class:
P.A.: 178 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

IC 666 Mkn 1276 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 01m 14.8s Dec: +10° 28' 52"
Mag: 15.5 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 0.7'x0.5' Class:
P.A.: 165 Inclination: --- R.V.: +12491 SourceGC*

-92 and -64 are the brightest in this small group. The NGC eg is in the middle of a 7-odd arc-minute a side tri formed by 664 to the NW, 663 to the SW and 666 to the SE. -92 isn't too hard to see, small mod low SB halo, round, 40" dia growing broadly and mod to the centre without zones, core or nucleus.

The three IC objects are broadly similar but fainter and a tad smaller, -66 is the smallest of all and faintest. All three are about 15-20" dia growing broadly and mod to centre without evident zones, core or nucleus. -66 has mag 15 *s close by to the SE and NW.

An image is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=



x185 27' TF

NGC 3524 Galaxy *
RA: 11h 06m 32.0s Dec: +11° 23' 10"
Mag: 13.8 (P) S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.6'x0.4' Class: S0/a
P.A.: 14 Inclination: 6 R.V.: +1321 Source: RC3 *

This is a small elong eg found to the SE of a couple of *s mag 11 & mag 13. It is in PA 45, 1.5' x 20" mod faint, lowish SB -- reasonable SB though growing broadly and slightly to the axis nr centre but no zones or core visible.

And so, that was Leo for the moment.

At that time I decided to indulge in some favourites and embarked on a tour of all the Messier Objects in Virgo and Ophiuchus,. I also took a look at a number of other friends like Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) Centaurus A*, M83, NGC 4945, ESO 274-1, ESO 270-17, Circinus Dwarf, NGC 6087, NGC 6067, NGC 6164/5, The Eta Carinae Complex, The Jewel Box (NGC 4755). Then there was the Abell 1060 cluster, AGC 2065 and AGC 1656 (Coma Cluster).

Then on a whim I decided to take a look at a number of difficult globulars and took in Pal 5, Pal 6 (really not as hard as I’d remembered, HP-1, NGC 6380, Ton 2, IC 1257, Ter 2, 3. 4, 5. 7, 8, 11, then E3 in Chameleon, after which my mind turned to AM-4 in Hydra (which had been in my talk the previous day) and though I’d take a look. AM-4 until very recently was considered the most distant GC bound to the Milky Way and is about 400,000 light years away.

It was virtually at zenith ( a pain in the bottom with a dobsonian) and it took a long time to get right but finally I was confident enough to call it bagged and Gary Mitchell confirmed it.


x185 27' TF
x247 20' TF

AM 4 Globular Cluster *
RA: 13h 56m 21.0s Dec: -27° 09' 42"
Mag: 15.9 Mag V(tip): 20.5 Mag V(HB): --- B-V (tip): ---
Size: 3.0' Class: R.V.: --- Source: Archinal

This is a very faint and extremely LSB GC comparable in many ways to E3 (just observed) though smaller. Appears in a box of 12th & 13th mag *s about 3' a side -- toward the W edge as a small gossamer glow about 1.5' diameter growing weakly to centre. No resolution -- not a hint. Looks like a very faint LSB face
on Sc or Sd spiral.


For those who didn't see the talk, an image of this spectacularly bright globular is here:

http://stdatu.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_...e&fov=NONE&v3=

Yes that's it -- right in the middle of the field.

Obs conf by G Mitchell.

Then of course were all the Messier Objects in Scorpius & Sagittarius and a few other favs in Corona Australis – you name it and I think I saw it. I finished on Alpha Cen and then finally Jupiter before my feet, brain and back said “enough” at about 3.30am and did a full pack-up of the ‘scope into the car for the trip home ( I really, really hate packing a ‘scope up in the morning.

Found it so hard to get to sleep – it was such a good night and in many ways unexpected.

After a sleep in till 10am and a quick brekkie, the remaining stuff was packed, the van (“Gerald’s Rest”) cleaned up and goodbyes were made before heading back to Sydney.

Thanks again in particular to our hosts John and Patti Vetter for their hospitality and putting up with us all.


Best,

Les D
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  #9  
Old 08-05-2009, 03:57 PM
Rob_K
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Another amazing report Les! Although I had to wait till the end to read the best! Nice score with AM-4, in fact all of the difficult globulars for that matter! I'd imagine if you could see Pal 5, then Pal 6 would be a (relative) doddle. You seem to have missed UKS 1 though...

Cheers -
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  #10  
Old 08-05-2009, 08:45 PM
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after one all nighter I flag..needless to say you seasoned observers don't..something in what you eat ???
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  #11  
Old 08-05-2009, 09:56 PM
Jone5y (Steve)
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I grew up in Mudgee and try to get back there when possible for some dark, clear skies. Where were these obs performed?

Steve
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  #12  
Old 09-05-2009, 10:11 AM
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Moonman (Michael)
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Hi Les,

That's quite a list of targets there.

Well done on getting it all down and thanks for taking the time to put it on the forum.

Sounds like inspite of the cold you had a good run with viewing condtions.

Now I know too who has stolen all my favorite CD's.

Cheers
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  #13  
Old 09-05-2009, 04:31 PM
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ngcles
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Hi All,

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob_K View Post
Although I had to wait till the end to read the best! Nice score with AM-4, in fact all of the difficult globulars for that matter! I'd imagine if you could see Pal 5, then Pal 6 would be a (relative) doddle. You seem to have missed UKS 1 though...
Yes Rob, AM-4 was a bit of a surprise actually -- I didn't think that I'd see it as it is incredibly faint (one of the intrinsically faintest GC's and was until very recently considered the most remote Milky Way GC. I only had a go on a whim.

Being at Zenith was a mixed blessing. Straight up is the best view but is 2 1/2 steps up the ladder and a bit of a lean in to the eyepiece -- uncomfortable.

Being so close to zenith means the accuracy on the Argo isn't so good - even with 8,000-step encoders (its not the fault of the Argo, its just that the azimuth lines are converging so closely) if your pointing is out just a fraction (say a couple of tics) you can be 2 medium-power field's out. The solution with the Servocat is to do a go-to to a reasonably nearby bright and certain object and then do a "Local sync" on that object -- which will land you right on it.

After I'd done this (I used IC 4351 which is an unmistakable eg 2 degrees away) I still seemed to have a lot of trouble properly identifying the star-pattern shown on Megastar/DSS at the AM-4 field. I did about 3 or 4 trips back to the PC to try and make he pattern certain. With an object this faint, you have to know exactly where to look, to within an arc-minute in the field, or you'll never find it. While this was going on, several times I seemed to be seeing this very faint 16th mag galaxy near what I took to be the right spot (from the pattern) which was a severe distraction because I knew there was no galaxy that bright within about 8 arc-mins of AM-4. That is when it dawned on me -- the "galaxy" I kept seeing occasionally was in fact AM-4. It is extremely faint and low SB. I switched up to the 9mm T1 Nager and then I was seeing frequent intermittent views of it. I called my mate Gary over and within 30 seconds he'd confirmed it as per the DSS overlay on Megastar.

I was pretty (very actually) happy with that. I'd thought AM 4 was beyond 46cm, so there you go. The conditions could hardly have been better. The SQM reading was 21.82 at that time, the seeing okay to good and it was straight up.

Re Pal 5, There are quite a few observers out there who rate Pal 5 as not very hard. I respectfully disagree -- I think it is a very, very tough object for say a 10" and not easy for even 18". Once you've seen it once for certain, it's easier next time though. Pal 6 is a difficult object too but it seemed okay on the night -- not difficult at all.

With Pal 5. again, one of the problems is discarding a paradigm. Don't look for anything that actualy looks like a GC -- instead look for a mod-sized weakly milky patch with a slight over-abundance of faint stars (mag 15.5 -16.5) within it. That's what Pal 5 looks like even in 18-20" 'scopes. I forgot to include it but I also took a look at AL-3 -- one of our Milky Way's "newest G.C's and DJ 2 too.

UKS 1?? Ummm ... that's absolutely beyond the pale I think. Even Barbara Wilson needed a 1m 'scope to see it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by seeker372011 View Post
after one all nighter I flag..needless to say you seasoned observers don't..something in what you eat ???
Nothing like that -- when I'm up at Mudgee, it's the knowledge that you don't have to get up at any set time in the morning that allows you to go until you are dropping off your feet. Sleep in as long as you like -- even 11am or 12md makes it even easier to go later the next night. If you feel like it -- take a "nanna-nap" in the arvo too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jone5y View Post
I grew up in Mudgee and try to get back there when possible for some dark, clear skies. Where were these obs performed?
Steve, it is at Observatory Downs here:

http://www.mudgeeobservatory.com.au/locate.html

Technically it's Gratti, but if I wrote that, almost no one would know where it is was.

Thanks for the comments guys!


Best,

Les D

Last edited by ngcles; 11-05-2009 at 02:49 PM.
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  #14  
Old 11-05-2009, 08:38 AM
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Lismore Bloke (Paul)
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Hello Les. I always look forward to reading your reports. The "technical" details you provide remind me of how much I still have to learn. I'm still getting my head around position angle, not as a basic concept: North 0 degrees, South 180 etc., but relating that to what you see in the eyepiece, where the scope could be pointed anywhere. This would probably make a good tech. article for the forum.

Mudgee is a great place, wonderful country hospitality. The moon was full when I was there, but the local red wines are some of the most luscious and best value in the country. Cheers, Paul.
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