Cluster and Galaxy

[glenc]

The magnitude 11.1 galaxy PGC 50448 is only 23' north of (in pa 24 deg) the open cluster Dunlop 431 = NGC 5460.

[ngcles]

Hi Glen & All,

Yes, it is an interesting juxtaposition and I have observed this pretty bright galaxy (also known as ESO 221-26) in my 31cm in 2002. I rated the transparency at 8 and seeing 6. ZLM was about +6.2:

x186 26' TF. Mag 12.1b Size 2.8' x 1.7'. Found 1 field NW from NGC 5460, a sparkling O.C in Centaurus with mixed bright and faint *s and about 20' diameter. Appears as a small elongated patch with a faint 2' x 30" halo which looks like a spiral but is in fact an elliptical eg. LSB outer halo rises slightly to the centre. At the centre is a small conspicuously brighter core and a faint *ar nucleus.

My gut feeling is that 20cm would catch it in a dark rural sky.

A much more testy proposition is another, much fainter eg which sits almost at the heart of the same open cluster -- PGC 50388 (ESO 221-25):

ESO 221-25 IRAS 14043-4809 PGC 50388
Galaxy * RA: 14h 07m 35.1s Dec: -48° 23' 40"
Mag: 14.6 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.4'x0.6'
Class: Sbc P.A.: 44 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

only about 6 arc-mins due south of the dead-centre, and among a (distracting) clump of 8th-10th mag stars that appear to be part of the cluster. I have attempted it with 31cm and failed (same night), but I haven't got around to trying it with 46cm. I'd think it would likely be visible.

Anyone seen it??

There is also another _extremely_ faint close-by eg --PGC 50539 (ESO 221-29) -- a tiny edge on spiral (apparently), 22' due E of the centre of the O.C:

ESO 221-29 PGC 50539 Galaxy *
RA: 14h 09m 44.4s Dec: -48° 19' 46"
Mag: 16.2 S.B.: --- B-V: --- Size: 1.5'x0.2'
Class: S P.A.: 115 Inclination: --- R.V.: --- Source: PGC *

Which I imagine would be a very, very tough object for +50cm class 'scopes.

Had a go at the faint galaxies scattered among the stars of M44 (the Beehive)?? -- very, very nasty!

Thanks Glen!!


Best,

Les D

[glenc]

Thanks Les, that was a detailed report.
I saw 50448 last night with my 12" Dob and it was easy to see. Didn't see 50388.