[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi all,

The object selection task saw a definate bias towards galaxies this time round. So, we have a Challenge of Galactic proportions. Galaxies are the flavour of the month, with a couple of side dishes of a cluster and nebulae. The largest number of objects in The Challenge so far to stuff you to the gills.

As always, there is something for everyone. Some of these objects have already had prelimary reports stating that some of these have been seen in 70mm binos and a 130mm reflector- prime small scope targets.

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:also in Virgo. 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.

NGC 3109: in Hydra. A dwarf spiral galaxy, member of our local group of galaxies.

The Coal Sack: spans Crux and Centaurus. A naked eye feature of our own Milky Way galaxy. 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!

ESO 92-18: in Carina. Our first side dish. Its location is RA 10 14 57.3 and Dec -64 36 30. It is almost exactly 3 degrees virtually due west of Theta Carinae. An obscure open cluster in Carina. One to add to your charts. Will test your palate! Very subtle flavour.

NGC 2438: in Puppis. An extra tasty morsel as it is a Planetary Nebula that lies in the same line of view as M46. It actually lies far behind M46.

Homuculus Nebula: in Carina. A nebula within a nebula, directly associated with the massive star Eta Carina, within the Eta Carina Nebula comlex. I'm not sure if is visible to amateur scopes, but that is the challenge.

Grub's up! Chow down and savour!

Mental.