May 16, 2009: IHOP - Hunting the Rose Compact Groups of Galaxies

Alvin Huey

Here is the OR I promised. I'll post a link to the observing guide when I'm done cleaning it up. Any questions, email me.

Skies were at least NELM 6.7, but most likely 6.8 and 6.9 as Bill and I did not spend much time after seeing the 6.7 star pretty easily.

What is the Rose Catalogue of Compact Galaxies? Well, Dr Rose wrote a paper surveying compact galaxy groups and focused on the quartets he found by using 69 POSS plates. He listed 33 compact quartets that has members at least magnitude of 17.5 and isolated, etc. Another astronomy professor wrote in his paper considered the Rose Compact galaxies to be even more compact than the Hickson and most Shakhbazian groups. I do not remember the paper off-hand, but will list the papers under recommended readings when I release the observing guide. I hope to release it in time for GSSP 2009.

As I do not have the component listing of each Rose quartet, I'll use the convention of component a to d, from east to west (left to right) or north to south (top to bottom), if the name is unknown, otherwise the catalog designation will be used. The source of the catalog designation is from MegaStar version 5. The source of the magnitude range and size were taken directly from Dr. Rose's paper. The coordinates were taken from Rose's paper, but precessed to 2000.0 coordinates as his paper lists the 1950.0 coordinates.

Rose 1 (10 48.1 +23 57 16.5 - 17.5 1.35 x 0.22') 22" (306 and 460x) - Three members detected with one unresolved double galaxy. Component a - very faint small round glow with a stellar core. Component b - a double galaxy that is not resolved. It appears extremely faint round glow. Component c - a very faint round glow with a slightly brighter center. All about 10" or less.

Rose 2 (10 54.5 +12 29 17.5 - 17.5 0.40 x 0.20') 22" (306 and 460x) - This group was totally unresolved. Extremely faint 2:1 elongated even surface brightness patch, PA = 30 degrees.

Rose 3 (11 02.6 +17 06 17.5 - 17.5 1.20 x 0.40') 22" (306 and 458x) - Three galaxies detected with one unresolved double galaxy (b and c). Component a - extremely faint round glow. Component b/c -even fainter than "a" and round. Component d is the brightest of all 4 members. Very faint round glow. A pair of 16th magnitude stars lie due east of b/c. All are less than 10" across.

Rose 4 (11 18.1 +30 25 15.2 - 17.0 1.80 x 0.35') 22" (306 and 460x) - Three galaxies seen with MCG +5-27-49 being the brightest of the lot. Component b - very faint, very small round glow with a stellar core. Less than 10" across. Component c (MCG+5-27-49) - considerably faint, round with much brighter center. About 20" across. Component d (UGC 6314)- considerably faint, round, much brighter center. 30' across. I missed component a.

Rose 5 (11 48.4 +37 27 16.0 - 17.5 0.90 x 0.22') 22" (306 and 460x) - All four members picked off, but one is very tough. MCG+6-26-39 and MAC 1148+3726 were barely resolved as two separate glows roughly 90 degrees apart. Each is 3:2 elongated and less and 10" across. PA of MCG +6-26-39 is 0 and PA of MAC 1148+3726 is 90 degrees. MCG+6-26-38 - considerably bright round glow with a brighter center. About 20" across. Component d lies just 10" south from the center of MCG +6-26-38 and is an extremely faint very small round glow. Less than 5" across. An about 5" due with of c.

Rose 6 (11 48.3 +25 45 16.5 - 17.0 0.50 x 0.22') 22" (306 and 460x) - Three galaxies seen. MAC 1148+2546 is a very faint, very small round glow with a very faint star just off the NW edge. Less than 10" across. CGCG 127-57 is considerably faint round glow with a slightly brighter center. About 10" across. Unlabeled member, component c is very faint, round with a stellar core. It lies just 20" south of CGCG 127-57.

Rose 7 (11 47.5 +12 42 14.7 - 153 3.10 x 1.45') 22" (306 and 460x) - Hickson 59. Since I did not detect component d in the past, I decided to try again as this is a pretty good night. I don't know why Rose selected this group as Hickson listed this as a quintet, not a quartet. Anyhow, all four members seen forming an "L" shaped asterism. I'll follow Hickson's component lettering scheme while describing this group. IC 736 - considerably bright round glow with a brighter center. 25" across. MCG+2-30-37 - considerably bright round patch with a brighter center, about 20" across. Slightly fainter than "a". MCG+2-30-41 - considerably faint even surface brightness 3:1 elongated patch about 30" long. PA = 90. IC 737 - very faint round glow. About 15" across. A 13.6 magnitude star lies 40" east of component d.

Rose 8 (12 04.7 +31 11 14.0 - 16.5 1.95 x 0.40') 22" (306 and 460x) - Three galaxies easily detected in a rough n-s line about 2.5' long. The northern most galaxy, CGCG 158-11 is actually a unresolved double galaxy. "They" are considerably faint even surface brightness round glow. About 15" across. The middle galaxy, UGC 7064, is a considerably bright round patch with a brighter center. Pretty diffuse edges. About 30" across. The southern galaxy, CGCG 158-10, is a considerably bright 3:1 elongated glow with well-defined edges. PA = 160 and about 30" long. It has a fairly high surface brightness for a galaxy.

Rose 9 (12 08.0 +09 45 16.0 - 16.5 1.95 x 0.80') 22" (306 and 460x) - All four galaxies detected within a 2.3' circle resembling a squat letter "T". MCG+2-31-32 is the brightest and western most member. Faint round glow with a much brighter center. About 10" across. UGC 7114 is slightly fainter and slightly larger than MCG+2-31-32. Pretty diffuse edges and slowly brighter center. About 15" across. This is the southern galaxy of the group. MCG+2-31-35 is the western most member and is very faint round glow. Less than 10" across. MCG+2-31-34 is the center galaxy and is a very faint round glow and less than 10" across. A faint 16th or 17th magnitude star lies 30" WNW of MCG+2-31-35.

Rose 11 (12 12.9 +22 35 17.0 - 17.5 0.45 x 0.30') 22" (306 and 460x) - Only two galaxies were detected in this very tough and very small quartet. The DSS image shows this as very shallow "Y" shape. The two detected are at the tips of the "Y". Both are extremely faint, very small round glows. They are about 15-20" apart. About 5" across.

Rose 12 (12 24.7 +32 32 15.3 - 17.0 3.00 x 0.35') 22" (306 and 460x) - This group of four galaxies form a chain positioned at 160 degrees PA. The northern most galaxy, MAC 1324+3233 is a considerably faint, small round glow with a stellar core. About 15" across. Component "b" lies just 10-15" SE of the MAC and is a very faint, every small round glow with a stellar core. Less than 5" across. Continuing down the chain is MCG+6-30-3 lying about 1.3' from the previous galaxy. It is a slightly elongated faint round glow with a stellar core. PA = 30 and about 30" long. Diffuse edges and fairly low surface brightness. Another 1.5' south lies component "d". It is a considerably faint round glow with a brighter center. About 10" across. A couple nearby galaxies were detected. MAC 1325+3233 lies about 4' east of the group is a considerably faint 2:1 elongated glow. PA = 150 and 15" long. The other nearby, MAC 1324+3236, is a very faint 2:1 elongated even surface brightness glow. PA = 150 and 10" long. Lies 3.3' NNW from the chain.

Rose 14 (13 41.1 +01 47 16.0 - 17.5 0.50 x 0.11') 22" (306 and 460x) - This quartet has only one labeled galaxy. Only two members were detected and barely resolved. The northern most galaxy, CGCG 17-59, is a very faint 2:1 elongated glow with a PA = 90 degrees. About 10" long. Just 20" SSE lies component "b". Very faint round glow and about 10" across. The other two galaxies were not detect and both lies just south and SE of "b".

Rose 15 (13 48.1 +07 23 15.0 - 17.0 1.90 x 0.30') 22" (306 and 460x) - This quartet consists of three well resolved galaxies. I'm not sure where the 4th member is , but it appears to be merged with UGC 8728. UGC 8728 is a very faint even low surface brightness galaxy with a tight brighter center. 3:2 elongated, PA = 45 and about 30" long. Moving 1.6' roughly east lies MAC 1348+0723. Very faint, very small round glow. About 5" across. Just 25" NW lies MCG+1-35-37. This is the brightest of the lot as a considerably faint round glow with a brighter center. About 15" across.

Rose 16 (13 56.5 +28 31 15.4 - 15.7 6.70 x 0.90') 22" (306 and 460x) - This chain of four roughly equidistant galaxies is about 6' long and PA = 120. Starting on the west side this time as this is the brightest of the lot. The first galaxy, MCG+5-33-24, is a considerably faint round glow of about 20" across. Next in line is MCG+5-33-24A is a very faint small round glow. About 10" across. MCG+5-33-25 is next and is a considerably faint 3:2 elongated glow. PA = 120 and 15" long. Last galaxy in the chain, MCG+5-33-26, is a considerably faint 2:1 elongated glow. PA = 135 and 20" long.

Rose 17 (14 12.0 +24 56 16.0 - 17.5 1.85 x 0.35') 22" (306 and 460x) - This chain of three equidistant galaxies is followed by a fourth member slightly skewed from the chain from the southern most galaxy. Only three were detected. Starting with the north member, MAC 1411+2456. It is a very faint 3:1 elongated glow with a much brighter stellar core. PA = 100 and 20" long. Next is Kug 1409+251 lying about 45" SW. It is a very faint round even surface brightness glow. It is about 10" across. Last galaxy of the linear chain is MAC 1411+2455. Appears considerably bright round glow with a brighter center. Edges are pretty diffuse. About 20" across.

Rose 18 (14 13.1 +08 37 15.5 - 17.0 1.10 x 0.40') 22" (306 and 460x) - I'm not sure where the fourth member is. Based on the DSS image, I'd guess it is probably lost in the glow of NGC 5511. I've seen only two members of this group. NGC 5511 is a very faint round low surface brightness patch. About 25" across. MCG+2-36-50 lies 1' NW of NGC 5511. Considerably faint 4:1 elongated high surface brightness glow. PA = 0 and about 15" long.

Rose 19 (14 13.8 +08 13 16.0 - 17.5 1.10 x 0.15') 22" (306 and 460x) - This compact quartet occupies only 1.1' space as a loose e-w chain . I've detect only 3 members. The fourth member is lost in the glow of MCG+1-36-24. Starting on the east, MCG+2-36-57. It is a considerably bright round glow with a brighter center. It is just resolved from its similarly bright neighbor, MCG+1-36-24, to the west. Both are about 15" across and separated by less than 10". UGC 9103 lies a little less than 1' to the west. It is a very faint slightly elongated glow. PA = 0 and about 15" long.

Rose 20 (14 17.7 +08 10 16.0 - 17.5 0.65 x 0.50') 22" (306 and 460x) - This quartet is arranged like an equilateral triangle with a much fainter fourth member inside the triangle. Each side is a little more than 30" long. NGC 5535 is by far the brightest member. It lies on the NE corner and is a considerably bright round glow with diffuse edges and a brighter center. About 20" across. The NW galaxy is MAC 1417+0810B. It us a fait round flow with a slightly brighter center. About 10" across. The southern corner is unlabeled and is a very faint round patch. Less than 10" across. The 4th member was not detected.

Rose 21 (14 35.0 +26 33 17.0 - 17.5 1.00 x 0.60') 22" (306 and 460x) - The three brightest galaxies forms a 45 degree right triangle. The fourth member is buried in IC 4461 and is unlabeled. IC 4463 is the eastern most galaxy and is faint round with a brighter center. About 10" across. A 12.6 magnitude star lies 45" east. IC 4461 lies on the west corner and is the right angle of the triangle. It is a considerably faint 32 elongated glow with a stellar core. PA = 90 and 25" long. MCG +5-34-76 is on the southern corner and is a considerably faint 2:1 elongated patch with a nearly stellar core. PA = 100 and 15" long. A 15.3 magnitude star lies 10" south.

Rose 22 (14 49.9 +11 00 16.5 - 17.5 2.70 x 0.11') 22" (306 and 460x) - This chain of four galaxies anchored by two of the brightest members lies at a position angle of 110 degrees. Only one is labeled. Starting with the labeled galaxy, MAC 1449+1100, is a very faint 2:1 elongated even surface brightness glow. PA = 135 and about 10" long. The other detected galaxy lies 2.8' ESE and is a very faint even surface brightness round glow. About 10" across. These are the only two detected in this chain.

Rose 23 14 50.8 +10 07 16.5 - 17.0 1.35 x 0.55') 22" (306 and 460x) - This chain of four galaxies is only 1' long. The northern most galaxy, UGC, 9555, is a considerably bright round glow with a much brighter center. About 15" across. MCG +2-38-18 is an unresolved double galaxy and is considerably faint slightly elongated glow. Even surface brightness. PA = 135 and 15" long. The fourth member next to a 15th magnitude star is not detected.

Rose 24 (15 05.1 +28 49 17.0 - 17.5 1.35 x 0.22') 22" (306 and 460x) - Chain of four equidistant galaxies lying e-w. The eastern most member is the only labeled galaxy. The seeing tanked during this observation as this chain appears as a unresolved mass. I'd have to try again on a steadier night.

Rose 25 (15 08.1 +34 23 17.0 - 17.5 0.45 x 0.11') 22" (306 and 460x) - based on the DSS image, three galaxies are buried in each other in a very tight equalaterial triangle of less than 10" on each side. The "lone" galaxy lies just SW of the trio. MCG+6-33-22 is the lone galaxy and appears as an extremely faint elongated glow. PA = 45. The trio is obviously unresolved an is considerably faint slightly elongated glow. About 10" long and PA = 45.

Rose 26 (15 12.3 +27 50 16.5 - 17.5 1.80 x 0.80') 22" (306 and 460x) - This quartet is arranged much like a squat "T" rotated clockwise 45 degrees. Only the three ends were seen. All three members were extremely faint very small round glows. All three were consistently held with some popping in and out.

Rose 30 (13 16.9 +12 33 - - ) 22" (306 and 460x) - Apparently this is a unresolved mass of galaxies of about 0.6' across according to MegaStar. NGC 5058 is a considerably bright mottled patch. About 30" across. I believe this is a "try again" on a much steadier night and very high powers, >700x.

Rose 31 (13 17.5 -03 11 - -) 22" (306 and 460x) - This is another unresolved mass 0.7' long and 0.3' wide. The whole complex is labeled as MCG+0-34-24. Visually at 460x, it is a considerably faint 2:1 elongated glow with a 12.0 magnitude star involved on the NE edge. Well defined edges. PA = 120 and 40" long.

Rose 32 (13 44.4 +20 25 - - ) 22" (306 and 460x) - This group consists of three galaxies merged with each other in a NE-SW line about 1.1 long. The lone member lies just 15" north off the northern tip of the trio. The trio is labeled as UGC 8691 is MegaStar. Visually, it is a considerably faint 4:1 elongated mottled glow. PA = 45 and 50" long. The "lone" member, MAC 1344+2025, is an very faint very small round glow with a sharp stellar core. Less than 10" across.