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(IAAC) NGC 4216

Observer:N.J.Martin
Your skill:intermediate
Date and UT of observation:Jan 20 1999 05:00UT
Location & latitude:near Ayr South West Scotland lat 55 24'56"
Site classification:bright rural
Limiting magnitude (visual):6 (zenith) 
Seeing (1 to 10- best to worst):5
Moon up (phase?):no
Instrument:20" f4.4 Dobsonian, 8" f8 Newtonian
Magnification:X180,X250
Filters used:None
Object:NGC4216
Category:Galaxy
Constellation:Virgo
Object data:mag9.9  8.3' X 2.2'
RA/DE: RA 12 13.4' Dec +13 08'
Personal rating A+ 
Description: A stunning galaxy in the 20". Using a 12 mm Nagler, my first
impression of this object was of a jewel like sliver of glass with the
silvery gleam of the bright central core set against the pencil line of the
galaxy which crossed a quarter of the field in direction pa 20. The bright
central nucleus and narrow core grade outwards into a long more uniform
pencil line of light with nebulosity visible on the following edge. 
Using the 9mm  orthoscopic (X250) a  more detailed view was obtained. The
brightest part of the central core is about 1' in diameter and then the
brightness of the spindle shaped core declines uniformly outward. The
spindle is more elongated, 2'long, and brighter on the southern side of the
nucleus than the north,1.5' long, and the  southern end is more V shaped.
The northern end of the core tapers out ending in a roundish patch. A
further roundish patch is seen,3' out, near the north edge of the galaxy
with fainter material beyond it. In between the roundish patches there is
iregularily mottled material. A dark lane starts at the (north)edge of the
inner round patch and curls round the central core to run parallell to the
major axis. Another dark lane, south of the nucleus, runs parallell to the
southern core then bends towards the following edge. A further darkish patch
then a flared out patch, 4' from the nucleus, is terminated by the southern
edge of the galaxy, which curves around. The  following edge of the galaxy
is defined by faint nebulosisty which extends as far as a faint star almost
due east of the nucleus.
Nick Martin, Bonnyton House, By Ayr, Ayrshire KA6 7EW ,Scotland, UK.
 Latitude 55 24'56" Longtitude 4 26' 00".
"Eppur si muove" Galileo Galilei

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