[ngcles]

Hi Glen,

I don't have DTU, but using Megastar with Real Sky images (DSS) I agree.

Attached is a Megastar map with DSS overlay of the best bit of the brightest "edge" of IC 2118, and another of IC 434 (B33).

Caveat: Not all DSS plates have the same exposure times so there is no definitive way to compare one plate with another. But ...

Just eyeing them on the screen and comparing the "maximum contrast" points, I'd say the brightest bits of IC 434 are maybe 20% brighter than the best bits of IC 2118 -- but please bear in mind they come from different plates so ... (refer to caveat).

That is why I reckon it is probably best, if possible, to compare another object on the same image/plate. The third image I've attached shows some of IC 2118 on the DSS _and_ the MCG galaxy -1-13-49 I've been comparing it to. In this image again, they are on a par or maybe the galaxy actually wins out slightly?

Which leads to the conclusion that even the best bits of IC 2118 have a SB magnitude about +15.0 to +15.5 mags /sq arc-min.

Very, very, very tough to see!


Best,

Les D

(PS the IC 434 image is in the next post in a moment ...)

(PPS the IC 434 PDF file is too big to upload -- so you'll have to accept my 20% brighter conclusion ...)