by Steve Gottlieb
| NGC 6027 = Seyfert's Sextet(U10116) = MCG +4-38-5 = (CGCG 137-10) = VV 115 = HCG 79b | 15 59 12.5 +20 45 49 | V = 14.3; Size 0.4x0.2; SB = 11.7 |
|---|---|---|
| 18" (6/20/04): at 320x, a trio of galaxies forming a small equilateral
triangle were fairly easily resolved with careful viewing. The brightest of
the trio (HCG 79b) is at the NE corner and appeared elongated 3:2 E-W,
~20"x13". The other two members (HCG 79a and HCG 79c) are both extremely
small, round, ~10" diameter. Two mag 14.5 stars 1'-1.5' SE are collinear
with HCG 79b and a slightly brighter mag 14 star lies 2' W. In a 30"
Starmaster, HCG 79e was barely visible (appeared stellar).
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, small, elongated ~E-W. 17.5" (6/6/86): this is Seyfert's Sextet = HCG 79, an extremely compact group! On close inspection, the confused "clump" resolves into three components with the brightest component (HCG 79b) appearing fairly faint, small. Extremely close are HCG 79a = N6027A just 36" SSW and HCG 79c = N6027B 22" W of center. A mag 14.5 star is 1.1' ESE and other faint stars are near. These three galaxies are just resolved at 220x. 13" (6/18/85): slightly elongated E-W 13" (5/26/84): faint, very small, irregularly round, weak concentration. Seyfert's Sextet was actually discovered by Stephan (XII). Although he recorded this ultra-compact group as only a single object, the description "eF, vF* inv, 2 vF st nr" implies he resolved two or probably 3 members. | ||
| Abell 39 = PK 47+42.1 = PN G047.0+42.4 | 16 27 33.6 +27 54 34 | V = 12.9; Size 170" |
| 18" (6/20/04): swept up immediately at 115x using an OIII filter. Visible
continuously as a crisp-edged disc, round, ~2.5' in diameter. Although there
was no annularity there were subtle irregularities in the surface brightness.
Barely visible unfiltered, though the glow seems to merge into the background
sky without a distinct edge. Also, excellent view at 73x and OIII filter as
the planetary was easily viewed continuously with direct vision.
17.5" (8/21/98): picked up at 100x with an OIII filter. Once identified, it was visible continuously with direct vision as a round, sharp-edged disc at least 2.5' in diameter. It appeared slightly brighter along the following edge. The planetary was even faintly visible unfiltered at 100x, though not as sharp-edged or well-defined and several faint stars were superimposed. 13" (6/18/85): faint, fairly large, round. This planetary can just be held steadily with averted vision using an OIII filter which provides a superior view to the Daystar 300. | ||
| M 2-9 = PK 10+18.2 = PN G010.8+18.0 = Butterfly Nebula = Minkowski's Butterfly | 17 05 37.9 -10 08 34 | V = 14.6; Size 39"x15" |
| 18" (6/20/04): viewed at 323x which easily resolved the mag ~14.5 central
star with two thin extensions oriented N-S, each perhaps 12"-15" in length.
These jets dim near the central star or are barely detached. Intermittently,
an extremely faint stellar knot was noticed near the tip of the northern
extension.
17.5" (7/9/99): picked up a low power but best viewed at 380x. The faint central star is cleanly resolved with two thin "jets" extending N-S, roughly 15" on either side of the star. The nebulosity dims slightly near the central star but is not detached. This unusual bi-polar object looks more similar to a fairly faint edge-on galaxy than a PN although the tips of the extensions do not noticeably taper. There was no noticeable response to either the OIII or UHC filters! 13" (4/10/86): at 166x appears as a moderately bright, very elongated planetary but does not respond positively to OIII or Daystar 300 filters! The central star is visible at 214x. A small group of stars including a mag 12 star lies 5' S. Classified as a bi-polar PN or possible proto-PN. | ||
| Abell 43 = PK 36+17.1 = PN G036.0+17.6 | 17 53 32.3 +10 37 24 | V = 14.7; Size 80"x74" |
| 18" (6/20/04): easily picked up at 115x using an OIII filter as a moderately
large disc ~ 1.2' in diameter. The planetary was visible continuously and
displayed some irregularities in surface brightness. At 225x unfiltered, it
was dimly visible though the disc faded into the background sky without a
crisp boundary. Three stars were superimposed; at south edge, east edge and
the mag 14.8 central star. The planetary is collineary with a mag 9 star 4'
NE and two mag 10.5-11 stars 3' and 4' SE.
17.5" (8/2/97): nice view at 100x with OIII filter where it is easily visible continuously with direct vision. The disc is at least 1' in diameter, appears slightly elongated and has crisp edges. At 220x , it was faintly visible unfiltered and quite noticeable are two superimposed mag 13 stars, one star at the edge of the planetary and the second star at the exact center. A very faint star is also visible at the south edge. Estimate V = 14.5. Located 4' SE of a mag 9.5 star. 13" (3/17/86): at 79x and OIII filter; faint, moderately large, almost round, estimate V = 14.2. Can barely hold steadily with direct vision but easier with averted. Located 4' SE of a mag 9.5 star. Collinear with a wide pair of mag 11.5-12 stars about 3' SE. | ||
| IC 4677 (part of N6543 = "Catseye Nebula") | 17 58 15.7 +66 37 59 | |
| 18" (6/20/04): easily visible at 160x using a UHC filter as a slightly
elongated, low surface brightness glow 1.7' W of center of N6543 and 1.5' SE
of a mag 11 star which lies 2.7' WNW of N6543. This shock-excited knot in
the outer halo was elongated 3:2 SW-NE, roughly 20"x13". At 225x it was
barely visible unfiltered, but could be held continuously at this power
adding a UHC filter.
17.5" (6/3/00): at 140x with a UHC filter, this ionized knot in the outer halo of the Cat's Eye was faint but clearly visible as a low surface brightness arc, located just south of the midpoint of the line connecting the geometric center of the PN with a mag 11 star 2.7' NW. 17.5" (11/1/97): this unusual object is a irregular knot in the outer halo of N6543 1.7' W of center and appearing visually completely detached from the bright planetary. Suspected at 220x without filtration close to a mag 15 star located 1' NW of the planetary. Using a UHC filter, IC 4677 is clearly visible with averted vision as a very faint elongated patch, ~25"x15" oriented SW-NE. Requires averted for a good view but can almost hold continuously. Also visible at 140x with OIII filter and 280x with the UHC, but 220x provided the best view. | ||
| Sharpless 2-71 = PK 36-1.1 = LBN 103 = PN G035.9-01.1 | 19 01 59.3 +02 09 18 | V = 12.3; Size 124"x75" |
| 18" (6/20/04): large, faint, irregular glow at 115x and OIII filter. Sh 2-71
appeared elongated ~5:3 roughly N-S, ~1.8'x1.1'. The eastern edge is
brighter and better defined. At the SE corner is a brighter knot which
bulges out slightly from the main glow.
17.5" (8/17/01): interesting, large PN at 140x using an OIII filter. The outline is subtle but irregular. Initially it appeared roughly circular, but with concentration a faint extension which sometimes appeared detached is at the south side, giving a N-S elongation. The rim is brightest along the east side and curving around to the north giving a partial crescent impression. 17.5" (8/21/98): immediately picked up at 100x with an OIII filter. This object is an unusually prominent obscure planetary! The best view was at 140x using an OIII filter. Appears fairly large, elongated N-S and brightest along the east side. Seems mottled with a noticeably irregular surface brightness. 13" (7/20/85 and 8/11/85): at 79x with OIII filter; fairly faint, fairly large, oval N-S, can hold steadily with direct vision. Appears relatively bright for an obscure planetary. Located 6' E of a mag 10 star and several mag 11-12 stars are near. | ||
| Abell 55 = PK 33-5.1 = PN G033.0-05.3 | 19 10 30.4 -02 21 02 | V = 13.2; Size 47"x32" |
| 18" (6/20/04): viewed at 73x (31 Nagler) and 113x (20 Nagler). At both
powers this planetary was visible continously with direct vision, elongated
4:3 WSW-ESE, ~40"x30".
17.5" (6/30/00): this is a fairly small Abell PN, ~40"x30", oriented SSW-NNE. At 100x using an OIII filter, the object is fairly faint with an irregular surface brightness but no annularity. Also barely visible unfiltered as an amorphous glow. 17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint but visible with direct vision at 105x using an OIII filter as a fairly small, slightly elongated disc. Dimmer view with UHC at 220x. Located 24' east of mag 6.6 SAO 143070. | ||
Posted on sf-bay-tac Jun 23, 2004 16:13:28 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 02, 2005 08:58:16 PT