(IAAC) Obj: M 109 - Inst: 15" f/4.5 Obsession

[anonymous at s15272250.onlinehome-server.com]

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Observation Poster: Armin Hermann <burmeseinn at yahoo.com>

Observer: Armin Hermann
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: 05 Jun 2008
Location of site: Sangkhlaburi, Thailand (Lat 15 N, Elev 200m)
Site classification: Exurban
Sky darkness: 5.6 <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing: 9 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 15" f/4.5 Obsession
Magnification: 244x, 131x
Filter(s): 
Object(s): M 109
Category: External galaxy.
Class: 
Constellation: UMa
Data: mag 9.8  size 7.6x4.3'
Position: RA 11:58  DEC +53:
Description:
Very large galaxy with a fairly low surface brightness halo. At 244x as well 
as 131x the northeast-southwest elongated central bulge is clearly visible. 
The bright round center in M109's elongated bar is approx 30" wide and 
contains an almost stelar core. Just 1' N of the core and still in the 
galaxy's 
foreground is a 14mag star. At 244x and with averted vision I did see  hints 
of spiral structure. One arm was clearly visible stretching out along the 
galaxy's NW edge. M109 does not really match any other bright Messier galaxy 
that I have observed so far.

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