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(IAAC) Interacting pair NGC 4631, NGC 4627 20" Dobsonian



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):5 (zenith) sky brightening perceptibly in the east 
Seeing (1 to 10- best to worst):5
Moon up (phase?):no
Instrument:20" f4.4 Dobsonian
Magnification:X180,X250
Filters used:None
Object: NGC4631, NGC 4627
Category: Edge on Spiral Galaxy + companion
Constellation:Canes Venatici
Object data:mag9.8  17' X 3.5'
RA/DE: RA 12 42.1' Dec +32 33'
Personal rating A 
Description:In 12 mm. Nagler NGC4631 is a huge elongated glalaxy with much
detail visible as bright knots, mottled areas and dark clouds one brighter
patch appears to be the galactic nucleus but a comparison with the image in
the interactive NGC catalogue suggests that it just a bright knot with the
true nucleus obscured by dust. The companion NGC 4627 appears as a
rectangular blob north of the galaxy.
Using a 9 mm Orthoscopic the companion still appears rectangular but
somewhat more oval than at the lower power. Using the brightest patch as a
reference point, going east there is a region showing considerable detail,
which is very difficult to pin down, followed by a darker region, which is
highly mottled, with brighter blobs, and is more uniform towards the edges.
To the west a darker region is followed by a brighter then a darker patch
and finally a brighter patch ending the galaxy. 
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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