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Hi Markus & All,
What size 'scope are you using Markus?
Without that knowledge it is difficult to be certain but I concur with those that have said NGC 5128 (Centaurus A*) for the second one, though the comparatively bright star in the middle of the dark lane doesn't fit really well. There is a star there but not bright -- about 13th mag I remember. The star on the edge of the halo (which is drawn about the same brightness) is:
SAO 224131 = HD 116647
RA: 13h 25m 33.760s Dec: -43° 05' 25.30"
Mag(v): 9.14 B-V: +0.348 Spect: ---
Which at 9th magnitude is comparatively much, much brighter.
As to the first drawing, I concur with Paddy who suggested NGC 5286. The star patterns you have drawn around it fit quite well -- particularly the bright star immediately above.
Was this star strongly yellow? Assuming it was, and it is NGC 5286, that star is m Centauri -- a Flamsteed (I think) designation. It is a 5th magnitude star:
SAO 241157 = HD 119834
RA: 13h 46m 39.370s Dec: -51° 25' 57.70"
Mag(v): 4.64 B-V: +0.946 Spect: G8/K0III
The spectral classification coupled with the B-V trace of around +1, means it should look mid to strong yellow.
NGC 5286 is a globular cluster and in good seeing, starts to substantially resolve into stars in 25-30cm. Very difficult to resolve into stars in smaller apertures because its "V-(tip)" (the magnitude of the brightest member stars) is mag 13.6 and the "V-(HB)" (magnitude of the member stars in the horizontal branch) is mag 16.5.
So, 25cm begins resolution but it won't look "really well resolved" until you are using a 50cm telescope that can see stars down to the HB magnitude. Assuming a dark sky and good seeing in <20cm it will look hazy and perhaps slightly mottled or grainy (possibly a star or two). 10cm hazy/misty.
Good finds!
A planetarium program will be of great assistance to you -- a must have!
Best
Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T
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