Dunlop's Galaxies

[glenc]

I have posted images of Dunlop's 53 Galaxies at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dunlop1826/DunlopGalaxies
Use the size button on the right to select the size image you want.
You can also run a slideshow if you have an ADSL internet connection.

These 53 galaxies were seen by James Dunlop in 1826 from his backyard in Parramatta near Sydney NSW using a 9" aperture metal mirrored reflector. He was the first to see most of these galaxies. Dunlop was the Messier of the Southern Sky.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dunlop1826/DunlopRumker

The 15'x15' images (except NGC 55 is 20'x15') are from the DSS-2-red survey.
http://archive.eso.org/dss/dss
http://archive.eso.org/dss/dss-copyrights.html

Dunlop numbers, NGC numbers and constellations are given in the attached list. He sometimes gave two numbers to the same object.

[Rob_K]

Thanks Glen. Dunlop is a really interesting and important person in the history of astronomy, and I see that you've been personally involved in tracking down & confirming some of his original nebulae/cluster observations that had later been discounted by Herschel. Must have been very satisfying for you Glen.

IISers that regularly look at and image NGC5128 (Centaurus A galaxy) might want to reflect that Dunlop was the original discoverer of this extraordinary object. Here are a couple of links for more information about Dunlop:
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010322b.htm
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/xtra/similar/dunlop.html

Cheers -

[Kal]

Thanks for that info Glen, I'd like to make some Dunlop tours for the Autostar and this is a good start! :)

[glenc]

It would be difficult to see these galaxies from Parramatta in 2007 with a 9" that was similar in light gathering capacity to a modern 6". :(

[glenc]

I missed a galaxy when I uploaded the images yesterday.
Dunlop also found D 487 = NGC 1269 = NGC 1291 in Eri.
I have added the image, there are now 54 galaxy images..

[Dennis]

Wow - great work and a fabulous resource, Glen - top job!

Cheers

Dennis