25 April – blog 1 of 2
The first trip to a new location in northern France, in the region Grand Est, also known as the Champagne-Ardenne. The weather forecast for the week was doubtful. But having never been on a week long astrotrip when the skies had not cleared for at least two nights, I figured we would beat the odds on this trip, too.
My company for the week was long time astrobuddy Dick van Kleef. He is an astrophotographer, but I will not hold that against him.
We arrived late in the afternoon of the 23rd and spent the evening setting up our gear, aligning the mounts and collimating the optics. The skies did not clear sufficiently to observe that night, nor the following night, but we were all set for the 25th.
My main targets for this week were (of course, it was spring): galaxies. Lots of them. Some in Ursa Major, some in Boötes, Corona Borealis and Serpens (Caput) but most of them in Coma Berenices. That is the one spring time constellation for which my observing log still has many voids to fill.
While the skies darkened, the clouds dissipated. As I did before in Cornillac, I dedicated the final 20 minutes of astronomical twilight to double stars, this time in Leo.
I observed only 6, but 5 of these doubles are worthy additions to my log: STF1426, 1506, 1511, 3067 & 1521. Best of them was STF1521, another double that plays a trick on the eye. As was the case for 49 Cygni and Rho Orionis that I observed in the nights of and 13 September 2020 and 23 February of this year respectively, this double’s secondary appeared subtly greenish white. This nice, albeit false color is not one observed frequently, but with a properly contrasting pair this hue can make an appearance. As was the case for the other observations, the tone vanished with use of a higher magnification.
16mm Nagler T5: AB split. A beautiful double.A is bright white, B is subtly greenish-white, subtly contrasting but a remarkable hue of B.9mm Nagler T6: Using this magnification B is yellowish.
Astronomical twilight ended shorty before eleven o’ clock. The sky’s transparency was good but not great, the seeing was quite decent. I kicked off my deepsky observations with the final guide for Ursa Major in CSOG’s 12-14″ edition that I had yet to put to use: the Gx-13 guide. The image slider below shows the complete guide. Apart from this guide for Ursa Major, I only have ‘leftover’ objects in other guides for this constellation that I have yet to log an observation for.
It was as if the constellation had saved the best for last. The galaxies in this guide are a treat. Of the 33 observed, I rated no less than 25 of them a 5 or higher; 5 of these I rated an 8. Below are all 25 of them, with my ratings, accompanied by the observation notes. All but one of these were first time observations. Many showed structure, some an arm and there were plenty of offset cores, which I am fond of.
First up was NGC3811, a galaxy with a small but notably brighter part surrounding the nucleus, itself involved in the galaxy’s larger core. 6/10
Without AV a NNE-SSW elongated glow that is suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction with quite a bright nucleus that is just visible without AV. With AV the galaxy is larger overall and is more elongated, the brighter core is much more elongated and the galaxy is even brighter in a small, central part (in the core, surrounding the nucleus) that is slightly elongated in the same direction. The knots on the western and northern edge are not visible. Quite a nice galaxy.
NGC3877 displayed detail: irregularity and outer regions that stretch out further towards the northeast than they do towards the southwest. 7/10
A large, NE-SW very elongated, irregular glow, quite suddenly brighter in the middle but no core discernible. The brighter central part is irregular (especially with AV) and is just SW of the middle of the galaxy. The fainter parts of the galaxy stretch slightly farther towards the NE than they do towards the SW, towards the NE the galaxy is suddenly fainter, it tapers and faints gradually towards the SW. With AV the nucleus is faintly visible. A nice galaxy.Just over 1/2 FoV to the north is the bright white-yellow mag. 4 star Chi Ursae Majoris.
NGC3782 is irregular in the core and sports a faint star on the south-southwestern edge. 6/10
A clearly north-south elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction. With AV slightly irregular in quite a large core that is elongated north to south and that is slightly south of the middle. On the SSW edge is a mag. 11.5 star (4UCAC683-054741). The knot on the WNW edge is not discernible. A nice galaxy.To the WNW, detached from the galaxy, is a mag. 12 star, three times that distance to the ESE is a mag. 10 star, closer to the NNE is a mag. 14 star.
NGC3824 has no detail in particular to show, but it is a relatively bright galaxy with a notable core and nucleus. 5/10
A WNW-ESE elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction with a bright nucleus that is visible without AV.1/4 FoV to the SE is the galaxy NGC3829.
NGC3870 has a bright nucleus but required averted vision to reveal some irregularity. 5/10
A small, quite bright, NNE-SSW elongated, oval glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction with a bright nucleus that is clearly visible without AV. With AV the galaxy is slightly wider ESE to WNW and it is subtly irregular. The bright nucleus is notable.
Both NGC3893 & NGC3896, that form Holmberg 293, were visible. The larger northwestern galaxy NGC3893 showed a lot of detail, including its southwestern arm. 8/10Nearby galaxy MCG+08-22-009 (PGC36913) was visible, too.
Both galaxies are visible.The NW galaxy A – NGC3893 is much larger and brighter than the SE galaxy B – NGC3896 is, quite a large, irregular, north-south elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a large core that is elongated in the same direction, that is irregular without use of AV and that is clearly west of the middle. The nucleus is visible without AV, centrally in the core. With AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and flattened on the east side on a line from north to south, slightly bulging on the WSW side. With AV the start of the SW arm is clearly discernible, starting on the west side, towards the south, curving towards the SE. The fainter eastern arm of the galaxy is not discernible but with AV more of the faint glow of the outer part of the galaxy is visible to the east of the core. A very nice galaxy. On the NW edge, just detached from the glow of the galaxy is a mag. 12.5 star (4UCAC694-051784), on the SSW edge is mag. 14.5 star (4UCAC694-051786) that is just visible without use of AV.The SE galaxy B – NGC3896 is a round, quite bright glow, gradually brighter in the middle. Slightly north-south elongated with AV, no nucleus visible. Directly north is a mag. 13 star (4UCAC694-051792).Almost one and a half times the distance towards B – NGC3896, to the NE of A – NGC3893 is the galaxy MCG+08-22-009 (PGC36913).
The offset bar of NGC3906 was subtly discernible. 5/10
A faint, round, irregular glow, without AV brighter in the southern part. With AV the galaxy is slightly larger and the east-west (just ENE-WSW) elongated central bar is subtly discernible that is clearly just south of the middle of the part of the galaxy that is visible. A nice detail to observe.
NGC3928 – the “Miniature Spiral” is often classified as an elliptical galaxy. That’s the designation in CSOG 2.4’s guides, too. But it is, as the name goes, a true spiral. Classified as SA(s)b?. This one of the many updates and corrections that will be incorporated in the next edition.The spiral nature is beyond my aperture, but the galaxy is quite bright with a notable core and a very bright nucleus. 6/10
Quite a bright, somewhat oval, slightly north-south elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a round core with a very bright nucleus that is clearly visible without AV. With AV slightly larger and slightly more elongated.To the SE is a mag. 12 star, twice that distance towards the NNW is a mag. 12.5 star.
NGC3917 is one of the many quite large and bright, elongated galaxies in this region in Ursa Major. Like most of these, NGC3917 too has a core that is just a bit offset. 6/10Also very elongated, but much fainter, is MCG+09-19-209 (PGC36973) close to the west-northwest.
Quite a large and bright, ENE-WSW elongated glow, just a bit less elongated than MCG+09-19-157 (PGC36343) is that I observed before this one, gradually brighter in the middle. With AV it is clear that the galaxy is brightest WSW of the middle, that the galaxy is subtly irregular and that the galaxy is suddenly brighter on the ENE side of the brighter core and more gradually faints en tapers towards the WSW.With AV the galaxy MCG+09-19-209 (PGC36973) to the WNW is at the limit of visibility, 1/4 FoV to the NNE is NGC3931.
The second galaxy I rated 8/10 was NGC3953. Lots of detail was visible; no arms but a subtle hint of spiral structure.
A large bright, clearly NNW-SSE elongated, irregular, oval glow, gradually brighter in the middle and quite suddenly brighter in a slightly NNE-SSW elongated core that is clearly slightly SSW of the middle of the galaxy. The very bright nucleus is clearly visible without AV, to the WNW of the nucleus is a mag. 12.5 star (4UCAC712-050665). With AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and a subtle hint of spiral structure is discernible, but no arms are visible. The outer regions of the galaxy are longer towards the NNE than they are towards the SSW, the galaxy is gradually fainter towards the NNE and more suddenly fainter towards the SSW. With AV the galaxy is subtly brighter to the SSW of the core in a small, subtly NE-SW elongated part, that is only discernible with AV. With AV the galaxy is more bulging on the ESE side and the galaxy overall is flattened on the west side on a line from NNE to SSW. A very nice galaxy.
NGC3922 was similar to NGC3824 observed earlier, just a bit larger and brighter. It too got a rating of 5/10.
A clearly NE-SW elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction. Without AV the nucleus is just visible. To the NNW of the nucleus, detached from the galaxy, is a mag. 14 star.
The pair Holmberg 301, formed by large and bright NGC3946 and extremely small and very faint NGC3950, was Deep Sky Forum’s Object of the Week, in early May. NGC3946 clearly showed irregularity. I was unable to observe NGC3950 and I suspect I would have been able to glimpse it had the transparency been better. 7/10
Only the southern galaxy A – NGC3949 is visible, the small, faint northern galaxy B – NGC3950 is not visible. A NW-SE elongated glow, clearly irregular without AV and flattened on the SW side on a line from NW to SE. With AV the galaxy is suddenly brighter in a very small, round core in which the nucleus is faintly visible. To the NE of the middle the galaxy is clearly more irregular. A nice galaxy.
Averted vision was required to reveal the two parts of NGC3985 that together form KPG 310. Along with that separation came more detail: an faint arc in the north, connecting the two parts. 6/10
An oval, east-west elongated glow, brighter in the eastern part, overall slightly elongated ENE to WSW with use of AV. With AV it is clear that the galaxy consists of two parts, a brighter eastern part that is brighter in the center and a subtly brighter western part (fainter than the eastern part) that is clearly detached from the eastern part. No nucleus visible. The western part is designated PGC93115 (KPG 310A), the eastern part is KPG 310B. With AV it is clear that the two parts of the galaxy are connected via a northern arc that is subtly discernible with AV, this is not visible on the south side. In between the parts the galaxy is clearly much fainter. A notable shape.
Beats me how MCG+08-22-046 (PGC37584) did not make the NGC. It’s definitely not too faint and it reveals some detail, yet somehow managed to get overlooked. 5/10
A NNE-SSW elongated, irregular glow, with AV larger east to west and subtly brighter SSW of the middle. With AV it is subtly clear that the core is elongated NNW to SSE. Quite a nice galaxy.To the SW is a mag. 12.5 star, to the NW is a mag. 11 star.
NGC4010 is the primary galaxy of the pair Holmberg 314, with the second galaxy (NGC4001) to the northwest. I logged these galaxies separately, as there is 7 minutes of arc between them. The shape of NGC4010 was notable. 7/10
An ENE-WSW very elongated glow, with AV slightly irregular and brightest ENE of the middle but no distinct core is discernible, no nucleus visible. The fainter WSW part of the galaxy is much longer than the ENE part is, approximately three times the length. A notable shape.To the west is a mag. 13 star, to the NW is the galaxy NGC4001 (Holmberg 314B).
Another 8/10, this one for NGC4026. Clearly elongated with a notable central bulge and bright nucleus. Very pretty even though not very large.
A clearly north-south very elongated streak that is suddenly brighter in a small core that is clearly elongated in the same direction, containing an even brighter, round core with a bright nucleus that is clearly visible without AV. With AV the outer regions of the galaxy are clearer which make the galaxy stretch out much more. Not very large but a very beautiful galaxy.
Not spectacular, but NGC4047’s shape and notable round core ensures it is above average. 5/10
Quite a faint, round glow, quite suddenly brighter in a round core, with AV the nucleus is visible and the fainter outer regions of the galaxy are slightly larger.
Curvy, that’s what NGC4051 is. Curvy with an irregular appearance and a very bright nucleus, quite a show. 8/10
A large, clearly very irregular, NW-SE elongated glow with an extremely bright nucleus that is very clearly visible without AV and that is slightly SW of the middle. The glow of the galaxy is larger to the NE of the nucleus, the galaxy is especially irregular in that part. To the NW of the nucleus the glow of the galaxy curves towards the west where a curved part is clearly visible, which is notable. The galaxy is slightly more suddenly fainter towards the SE. With AV the galaxy overall is more elongated, the galaxy is centrally subtly brighter in a NW-SE elongated part (but no distinct core is discernible) and the galaxy is flattened on the NE side on a line from NW to SE. A very nice galaxy.
Two 8/10’s in a row, as NGC4088 (Arp 18) got one, too. It tapered shape contains quite some detail and the almost detached part on the northeastern side was clearly discernible, too.
A clearly NE-SW elongated, irregular glow, an oval part is visible to the SW of the middle, especially to the NE thereof the galaxy is irregular with use of AV. The galaxy is flattened on the SE side on a line from NE to SW, the galaxy is slightly more bulging on the NW side. Just SW of the middle of the oval part a small, NE-SW elongated core is visible. The galaxy tapers slightly towards the SW where it faints gradually. On the NE side the galaxy tapers and is fainter, with AV a NNE-SSW elongated part is faintly but clearly discernible on the NE edge, which is notable. A very nice galaxy.1/3 FoV to the south is the galaxy NGC4085 (Holmberg 326B).
NGC4088 is Arp 18, but it’s also Holmberg 326A. The B galaxy of this pair is NGC4085, to the south. It tapers towards the west, not so to the east and its core is irregular with use of averted vision. 6/10
A clearly ENE-WSW elongated glow, approximately 1/4 the size of NGC4088 (Arp 18, Holmberg 326A), 1/3 FoV to the north. Tapering towards the WSW, less so towards the ENE and quite suddenly brighter in a very elongated core that is subtly irregular with use of AV. No nucleus visible.To the SW is a yellowish mag. 8 star (HZ Ursae Majoris), to the SE is a white mag. 8 star (SAO28247).
NGC4096 is another one that is both elongated and pretty. No distinct core was discernible, but is does have an out of center nucleus, involved in a part that appears irregular. 7/10
Large and quite bright, a NNE-SSW clearly very elongated glow, suddenly brighter in a NNE-SSW elongated central part, no distinct core, that is slightly NNE of the middle and with AV is more elongated and clearly irregular with use of AV. With AV the nucleus is faintly visible that is in the SW part of the brighter central part. The central part is suddenly fainter on the SSW side. That galaxy faints gradually and tapers towards the SSW, slightly more suddenly fainter on the NNE side. A nice galaxy.
The final page in the 12-14″ Gx-13 guide contains three more large, elongated and relatively bright galaxies: NGC4100, NGC4144 and NGC4157. I rated all three 7/10.
All three of these galaxies carry Herschel designations. The images below are from CSOG’s Herschel edition.
NGC4100 is very elongated and even though its extremely faint outer arms are out of my reach, it showed irregularity in the tapering north-northwestern part.
Quite a large and bright, NNW-SSE elongated, irregular streak, brighter in the middle in a slightly NNW-SSE elongated part that, with use of AV is brighter in the NNW part where it tapers and is subtly irregular, which is notable. With AV the nucleus is visible. To the SSE of the nucleus the central part of the galaxy is clearly fainter. With AV the galaxy overall stretches more towards the NNW and the SSE. A nice galaxy.
I noted NGC4144 as identical in size to NGC4100. Like so many galaxies I observed this night in Ursa Major, its brighter center is offset. And while it lacked both a distinct core and a visible nucleus it, again, appeared irregular.
Identical in size to NGC4100 that I observed before this one, a WNW-ESE elongated, irregular streak, centrally brighter in part that, without AV is slightly elongated in the same direction and that is more elongated with AV. The central part is clearly brightest WNW of the middle in a slightly WNW-ESE elongated part that even slightly brighter than the central part is overall. With AV that smaller, brighter part is irregular. No distinct core is visible. The galaxy tapers on the WNW side, on the ESE side the galaxy is suddenly fainter. No nucleus visible. A nice galaxy.
The final galaxy in the Great Bear was NGC4157. Brighter than NGC4144, gradually brightening in the middle before becoming even brighter in a distinct, offset, subtly irregular core.
An ENE-WSW elongated streak, slightly brighter than NGC4144 is that I observed before this one. Gradually brighter in the middle, containing an even brighter part (a distinct core) that is elongated ENE to WSW and that is approximately 1/4 the size of the overall galaxy. Without use of AV is appears as an offset core, using AV it is clear that the core is brightest on the WSW side. With AV the core is subtly irregular. No nucleus visible. The galaxy gradually faints on the ENE side and tapers towards the WSW where it faints slightly more suddenly. A nice galaxy.To the SW is a flattened triangle of mag. 10 and fainter stars pointing east. To the NW is bright white-yellow mag. 8 star (SAO28277).
I took a 15 minute break from observing before heading to Coma. CSOG’s 12-14″ Gx-6 guide & tour. A guide that is quite different from the one I just observed by in UMa. Lots of small and faint stuff, often in a crowded field of view. Plenty of small smudges to pick out and identify. Resulting in 11 bonus observations for faint ones that are not included in CSOG but were (barely) visible nonetheless and, thanks to the DSS images, with their positions and nature easily determined at the eyepiece.
Highlights were Holmberg 490, NGC4839, NGC5016, Holmberg 513, NGC5041 and NGC5116. I rated all but NGC4839 a 5, that one galaxy earned a 6. Images below, with the exception of NGC5041, are from CSOG’s Holmberg and Herschel editions.
Both galaxies NGC4819 & NGC4921 that form Holmberg 490, showed bright nuclei. A pretty picture and an easy pair to observe.
Both galaxies are visible.The NNW galaxy A – NGC4819 is a round glow without AV, quite suddenly brighter in a round core with a bright nucleus that is clearly visible without AV. With AV the galaxy is slightly elongated north to south.The southern galaxy B – NGC4821 is a small, faint, slightly north-south elongated glow, even in brightness with quite a bright nucleus that is visible without AV.1/2 FoV to the NNE is the galaxy NGC4827.
NGC4839 has a companion. Whether or not this is a physical companion or just a chance alignment… I don’t know. There is quite a difference between their radial velocities. Regardless, PGC83685 is quite bright, and I was pleased that I was able to distinguish it from the NGC.
NGC4839 is a round glow, quite suddenly brighter in a round core. With AV the faint nucleus is just visible and the faint outer halo of the galaxy is visible that slightly stretches ENE to WSW.With AV, to the SW of NGC4839, a small, faint, round patch is visible (PGC83685), only discernible with AV, clearly smaller than the core of NGC4839 is.To the NE is a mag. 11 star, at equal distance to the ESE is a small, faint, round patch, even in brightness with quite a bright nucleus that is visible without AV (galaxy NGC4842).1/4 FoV to the NNE is the galaxy NGC4840.
About half a degree to the northeast of NGC4839 & PGC83685 are the two small, faint, elongated but observable galaxies IC3946 and IC3949. Proceed even further northeast and one runs into the center of the Coma Galaxy Cluster – reference the CSOG Com Gx-5 guide and the images on page 1 & 2 of that guide. But that’s for another time.
To the southeast of IC3946 and IC3949 is a small, but notable triangle that is made up by 3 small and faint galaxies: IC3957, IC3959 and IC3963. Individually, I rated these little smudges no more than a 3. But the little group is undeniably a pleasant observation.
DSS POSS2 Blue image centered on 12:59:10 +27°46’30″Galaxies IC3957, IC3959 & IC3963 in Coma Berenices
Having observed about 20, mostly tiny and faint galaxies near center of the Coma Cluster, NGC5016 was a welcome change. Quite bright and revealing some detail.
Quite a bright, NE-SW elongated, oval glow, suddenly brighter in a core that is clearly very elongated in the same direction. Subtly irregular with AV, no nucleus visible.1/3 FoV to the north is the bright white-yellow mag. 6 star (SAO82708).
Less than half degree to the east of the mag. 4 star Beta Comae Berenices, is the pair of galaxies NGC5032 & NGC5032B, that together go by Holmberg 513 and KPG 366. Holmberg 513A = KPG 366B, KPG 366A = Holmberg 513B. Both were easily observed, neither showed a nucleus.
Both galaxies are visible.The northern galaxy A – NGC5032 is a NNE-SSW (almost north-south) elongated, oval glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is very elongated in the same direction, no nucleus visible.The southern galaxy B – NGC5032B is a small, faint, round glow, even in brightness without AV, with AV subtly brighter in the middle, no nucleus visible.
One that didn’t make it to the Herschel list, is NGC5041. Although small, I was able to determine that, visually, its brighter center surrounding the nucleus, is offset to the east.
A faint, round glow, clearly brighter in a round part that is east of the middle, with AV the nucleus is faintly visible in that part. With AV it is clear that the galaxy is flattened on the east side on a line from NNE to SSW.
The final galaxy in the Coma guide and, as it turned out, the final observation of the session was NGC5116. Its core is elongated and using averted vision the galaxy is subtly irregular.
A clearly NE-SW elongated streak, gradually brighter in a core that is very elongated in the same direction. No nucleus visible. With AV the galaxy is subtly irregular.
I took a longer break from observing, to recharge my internal battery. The clouds used that opportunity to roll back in, from the northwest. Still, a very rewarding observing run. Thanks to a plan and to busy regions in UMa & Coma.
Observations
7 double stars77 galaxies & galaxy groupsTotal: 84 observationsFirst time observations: 81 objects
Details of the objects observed in this session are in the table below.
click here for my observing log
to top of table
