[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi all,

I've come up with a summary of the submissions, to make up this month's challenge, for the spirit of 'The Challenge'.

There is a definate slant on galaxies this month. So many also within reach of smaller scopes. So why not make it 'Galaxy Month', with a dusty galactic detail for naked eye viewing, to identify a patch within our home galaxy.

NGC 5128: Centaurus A, in Centaurus. Its obvious 'hamburger' profile might be a challenge for smaller scopes, but I've seen it in my 30mm finder from a dark site!

Leo Triplet, M65, M66, NGC 3628: In Leo. This lot offers something for everyone: in reach for small scopes, and detail in bigger scopes.

NGC 5170: in Virgo. An edge on galaxy. Vaguely resembling Sombrero.

Hickson 62- NGC 4761/4776/4778: A triple grouping of eliptical galaxies.

NGC 2573: In Octans- Galaxy Polarissima Australis. The galaxy closest to the South Galactic Pole observable in amateur scopes. From what I've gathered, it ain't the easiest bugger to pin.

The Coal Sack: spans Crux and Centaurus. In a dark site, the dark inkiness of the Coal Sack is dramatic against the blaze of the Milky Way. It is this type of dust that makes the dramatic 'dust lane' of the Hamburger. I find it awesome to be able to name a feature of the night sky that is not a star or constellation, and is appreceiably BIG. AND a feature of a galaxy!

What do you all reckon? Worthy of this month's challenge?