[Prev][Next][Index][Thread][Search][Objects]

(IAAC) Obj:M108 (NGC 3554)- Inst: 20" f4.4 Newtonian on Dobsonian mount



----

Observer: Nick Martin
Your skills: Intermediate
Date/time of observation: 12/20/1998  06:00 UT
Location of site: Bonnyton house drive, Ayrshire, Scotland
Site classification: rural
Sky darkness:5.5 <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing: II-III <I-V Seeing Scale (I best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 20" F4.4 Newton on Dobsonian mount
Magnification: X240
Filter(s): None
Object(s): M108 (NGC 3554)
Category: External galaxy.
Class: Sc
Constellation: U Maj.
Data: mag 10.0  size 8.5'
Position: RA 11:11.5  DEC +55:40
Description:
A very elongated galaxy about 8' long by 1.5 wide. Very irregular, mottled
galaxy with a brighter central patch that appears like a nucleus. There is a
star preceding (PS) the nucleus and two faint stars (FS) on the following
side. Just preceding PS the galaxy is almost bisected by a dark lane,
another runs diagonaly top to bottom and another makes a V shape with a
brighter patch of the galaxy. Tjhis patch can be resolved into two brighter
knots with a darker lane between. Following the nucleus is a brighter patch
of nebulosity with on of the FS overlying it. there is also0 much dark,
dusty material with a very irregular strucure that was too complex to
describe under the now slightly brightening sky conditions.
Another galaxy with lots of visible structure. Like the two other galaxies I
have recently observed (NGC2841 and NGC 2976) it is worth going to. They all
would be magnificent objects viewed from a dark sky site.

--


Nick Martin, Bonnyton House, By Ayr, Ayrshire KA6 7EW ,Scotland, UK.
 Latitude 55 24'56" Longtitude 4 26' 00".
"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
 Enwrought with golden and silver light,
 The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
 Of night and light and the half-light, ....." 
    He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven by W.B. Yeats

To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'netastrocatalog' lists, use the Web form at:
http://www.visualdeepsky.org/subscribe.html