NGC 5001 = UGC 8243 = MCG +09-22-022 = CGCG 271-020 = PGC 45631

13 09 33.2 +53 29 39; UMa

V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 160°

 

18" (6/27/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, oval 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' NE.  Located 20' following a group of a half-dozen galaxies including NGC 4967/73/74.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5001 = h1545 on 1 May 1831 and recorded "not vF; S; irr R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is 1' north of UGC 8243.  C.E. Burton, the observing assistant on LdR's 72" on 23 Apr 1868, reported "Patchy, suspect eF patch np [spiral arm?}, annular? lE ns."

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NGC 5002 = UGC 8254 = MCG +06-29-051 = CGCG 189-034 = LGG 334-002 = PGC 45728

13 10 38.3 +36 38 04; CVn

V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 173°

 

17.5" (4/28/89): very faint, very small, faint stellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 5033 Group (LGG 334).

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5002 on 27 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5003 = UGC 8228 = MCG +07-27-033 = CGCG 217-013 = PGC 45559

13 08 37.9 +43 44 15; CVn

V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 145°

 

18" (7/1/03): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, fairly low surface brightness.  Collinear with two mag 12.5 stars 2.6' NNE and 6' NNE.  This galaxy is not identified as NGC 5003 in RNGC, UGC, MCG, CGCG or PGC.  See identification notes.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5003 = H. III-655 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725).  He recorded "very faint, pretty small, little brighter middle."  There was confusion in the transit time and he gave a range of 3 minutes in RA (offset 5-7 min 26 sec preceding and 2° 57' north of 19 CVn).  UGC 8228 is located 7 min preceding the offset and 3' south, and Harold Corwin found that additional systematic errors account for the other differences.  This galaxy is not labeled NGC 5003 in the UGC, MCG (+07-27-033) or CGCG (217-013).  RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG +07-27-037 = PGC 45732 as NGC 5003.

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NGC 5004 = UGC 8260 = MCG +05-31-149 = CGCG 160-157 = Holm 511a = WBL 434-003 = PGC 45756

13 11 01.5 +29 38 12; Com

V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

 

24" (5/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, ~40"x30", high surface brightness.  Contains a relatively large very bright core and a thin halo that quickly fades out.

 

Brightest in a trio with NGC 5004A 3.5' S and IC 4210 5.3' NW.  NGC 5004A appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.25', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is off the southeast side [46" from center].  IC 4210 appeared very faint to faint, small, elongated ~4:3 N-S, ~24"x18", low surface brightness, very weak nucleus.  A mag 15.2 star is 0.8' SSE.

 

18" (7/1/03): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.7'x0.5', well concentration with a very small bright core.  NGC 5004A = UGC 8259 lies 3.5' S' and appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is just off the SE tip, 45" from center.  IC 4210 = NGC 5004B is 5.3' NW. Member of AGC 1656.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5004 = H. III-305 = h1546 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and logged "vF, vS, lE."

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NGC 5005 = UGC 8256 = MCG +06-29-052 = CGCG 189-035 = LGG 334-003 = PGC 45749

13 10 56.5 +37 03 32; CVn

V = 9.8;  Size 5.8'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 65°

 

24" (5/27/17): extremely bright edge-on 3:1 WSW-ENE, nearly 5'x1.8' with averted.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright thin, elongated core punctuated by a sharp stellar nucleus.  A thin dust lane is evident hugging the north side of the core (creating a sharp light cut-off) and is more easily seen on the west side.  Spiral structure can be picked out on both ends of the outer halo.  On the WSW end, a broad outer portion of a spiral arm sweeps south (clockwise) and on the ENE end another ill-defined arm curls north.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): very bright, large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 4.8'x2.0'.  Strong concentration with a small very bright elongated core and stellar nucleus.  NGC 5002 lies 26' SSW and NGC 5033 (the brightest in the group and a physical companion) is 40' SE.

 

13.1" (4/12/86): very bright, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core with a stellar nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5005 = H. I-96 = h1547 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "very bright, much extended nearly in the parallel.  The faint rays included, about 5' long; the vB part of it, about 1.5' long; the brightness decreasing very suddenly." John Herschel made two observations, describing the galaxy on 28 Apr 1827 (sweep 73) as "vB; vL; mE; 4' l, 1' br; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, position by diagram = 30° nf to sp."

 

A dark lane north of the nucleus was suspected during several observations at Birr Castle.  On 4 May 1861: "Nucleus elongated and perhaps not in direction of major axis of nebula.  Dark lane suspected north and perhaps on the other side also, coming slightly preceding nucleus?"

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NGC 5006 = ESO 576-006 = MCG -03-34-011 = LGG 337-001 = PGC 45806

13 11 45.7 -19 15 42; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 170°

 

14.5" (4/10/21): at 224x; fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S, 40"x30".  A mag 14 star is close NW [44" from center].  Mag 9.7 HD 114559 is 4.5' SW.  Member of a small group with NGC 5018 23' SE.

 

17.5" (4/13/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'.  Contains a round 30" brighter core with faint extensions.  A mag 14 star is less than 1' NW of center.  Two mag 10 stars lie 4' and 5' SW.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5006 on 31 Mar 1881, while observing NGC 5018.  In the narrative portion of list V, he noted a new nebula 1 min of time preceding and 16' north of NGC 5018.  Although the difference in RA is 1 min 15 sec, his declination offset is accurate.

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NGC 5007 = UGC 8240 = MCG +10-19-042 = CGCG 294-021 = PGC 45605

13 09 14.4 +62 10 30; UMa

V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 135°

 

18" (6/27/03): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star lies 0.9' NW.  Located 5.3' SW of mag 6.5 SAO 15999, which detracts from viewing.  In an interesting group with three UGC galaxies in the field of a bright star!  UGC 8234 6.5' NW, UGC 8237 8' NW and U8214 11.5' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5007 = H. III-848 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduced position is 15 sec of time east of UGC 8240.

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NGC 5008 = IC 4381 = HCG 71A = UGC 9073 = MCG +04-33-042 = CGCG 132-078 = CGCG 133-001 = Holm 598a = PGC 50629

14 10 57.2 +25 29 51; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (6/8/96): NGC 5008 is the brightest member of HCG 71, along with IC 4382 = HCG 71B 1.8' NE and HCG 71C 2.0' SE.  At 220x it appeared faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, almost even surface brightness.  Located 1.5' N of a mag 10 star, which is the southeast of three stars in a 2.5' string with two mag 12 stars.  This galaxy is generally identified as IC 4381.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5008 on 18 May 1862 and noted a mag 10 star preceded by 1.1 seconds of time and 95" north.  There is nothing at his position and his object was not recovered by Bigourdan or Reinmuth.  Harold Corwin found that UGC 9073 = PGC 50629 is exactly 1 hour of RA east of d'Arrest's position and a mag 10.5 star precedes by 1.2 seconds, but it is just under 90" south (not north).  So NGC 5008 = UGC 9073.

 

Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy, along with a nearby companion to the northeast, on 15 Jun 1895 and listed them as J. 1294 and J. 1295 in his discovery papers.  Dreyer, of course, assumed they were new objects and catalogued the pair as IC 4381 and 4382.  So, NGC 5008 = IC 4381. Because of the poor NGC position, this galaxy is known as IC 4381 in modern catalogues and RNGC classifies NGC 5008 as "Not Found".

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NGC 5009 = UGC 8258 = MCG +08-24-061 = CGCG 245-025 = PGC 45739

13 10 47.0 +50 05 31; CVn

V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 75°

 

18" (7/1/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', broad concentration to a brighter core.  A mag 14 is close off the north side, 40" from the center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5009 = H. III-820 = h1550 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and recorded "2 vS stars with vF nebulosity between them, less than 1' distance." Caroline's reduced position is 45 sec of time east of UGC 8258.  John Herschel logged "eF; R; south-preceding a * 15m" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5010 = MCG -03-34-015 = PGC 45868

13 12 26.3 -15 47 52; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (4/13/96): faint, fairly small , elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.6', fairly even surface brightness.  Contains a bulging core with thinner extensions.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' N of center. Located 5' NE of mag 9.5 SAO 157790.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5010 = h1548 on 9 May 1831 and recorded "vF; R: bM; a * 10m 45° np, distance 5'."  His position is 10 sec of RA too far west and the star is 45° north-preceding.

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NGC 5011 = ESO 269-065 = MCG -07-27-042 = LGG 339-012 = PGC 45898

13 12 51.9 -43 05 47; Cen

V = 11.4;  Size 2.4'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 154°

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE.  Moderate even concentration to a brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5026 lies 17' NE.  Located 12' WNW of mag 6.2 HD 114873 and 23' NE of mag 5.2 HD 114474.

 

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  The following three brighter stars are equidistant to the E; mag 9.1 SAO 223985 7.4' NE and two mag 11 stars 7.8' ESE and 7.3' SE.  Located 12' WNW of mag 6.2 SAO 223989.  Outlying member of the Centaurus cluster or in a group surrounding the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5011 = h3473 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "pB; pS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"; in a curve of 3 or 4 stars."  His mean position (3 nights) is accurate.  Joseph Turner recorded "suddenly much brighter in the middle, about 25" in diameter", using the 48" GMT on 1 May 1878. (p.173 in logbook)

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NGC 5012 = UGC 8270 = MCG +04-31-012 = CGCG 130-016 = LGG 336-001 = PGC 45795

13 11 37.0 +22 54 56; Com

V = 12.2;  Size 2.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 10°

 

18" (7/1/03): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x1.2', fairly well concentrated with a very small bright core. A mag 13-14 star is superimposed on the north end.  The surface brightness is uneven and the galaxy appears slightly mottled.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5012 = H. I-85 = h1549 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "cB, pL."  John Herschel made two observations and recorded (sweep 409) "vF; L; double or wedge-formed bicentral; pos 17° per micrometer.  Each neb very gradually little brighter middle; a large star (the first of a trapezium) 25s following."  He confused the superimposed star with another nucleus.

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NGC 5013 = MCG +01-34-007 = CGCG 044-024 = PGC 45838

13 12 07.3 +03 11 57; Vir

V = 14.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 140°

 

18" (5/28/06): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".  Forms the eastern vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a mag 12 star 3.8' WNW and a mag 11 star 4.2' SW.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5013 = m 248 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, vS." His position is less than 1' south of CGCG 044-024 = PGC 45838.

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NGC 5014 = UGC 8271 = MCG +06-29-055 = CGCG 189-037 = Mrk 449 = LGG 334-006 = PGC 45787

13 11 31.3 +36 16 55; CVn

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 102°

 

24" (5/20/17): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, fairly nice edge-on, ~1.0'x0.3', small bright core, occasional stellar nucleus (possibly offset from geometric center?).  The surface brightness is not smooth (dust?) near the center.

 

UGC 8303 = Holmberg VIII lies 22' ESE.  At 200x it appeared faint to fairly faint, roundish, low even surface brightness, no core or distinct zones.  Roughly 1' diameter, though the edge of the halo was difficult to pin down because of its diffuse appearance.   Located 23' S of NGC 5033, of which it's considered a satellite.

 

13.1" (4/12/86): faint, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE, brighter core.  Located 46' SSE of NGC 5005.  Member of the NGC 5033 Group (LGG 334).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5014 = H. II-414 = h1551 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "F, S, lE."  His position matches UGC 8271.  John Herschel called it "pB; S; pmE; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5015 = MCG -01-34-012 = PGC 45862

13 12 22.8 -04 20 12; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 40°

 

24" (5/31/22): at 263x; fairly bright and large, moderate surface brightness, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x1.0', small bright core and a nearly stellar nucleus.  It appears to have bar running along the major axis (verified on images later).  A mag 10.7 star lies 4' NW. IC 855 lies 28' WSW.

 

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration, low surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 4.3' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5015 = H. II-637 = h1552 on 11 Mar 1787 (sweep 709) and logged "F, cL, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle.  The time not accurate."  Interestingly, his position (Caroline's reduction) is accurate in RA and 4' too far south (previous nebulae in the sweep are also offset 2'-4' too far south).

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NGC 5016 = UGC 8279 = MCG +04-31-013 = CGCG 130-019 = PGC 45836

13 12 06.6 +24 05 42; Com

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (4/13/96): moderately bright, roundish, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, broad concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' N of center.

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, round, moderately large.  Located 10' S of mag 6.3 SAO 82707 that interferes with viewing.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5016 = H. II-356 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "pB, S."  His position was 15 seconds of RA too small and 3' too far south.  d'Arrest's micrometric position (used in the NGC) is accurate.

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NGC 5017 = MCG -03-34-016 = LGG 338-003 = PGC 45900

13 12 54.4 -16 45 57; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (4/13/96): fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter.  Well-defined halo with crisp edges.  Gradually increases to a nearly stellar nucleus.  Overall moderate surface brightness.  A well-matched pair of mag 11 stars lies 6' WNW.  Located at the SW end of the NGC 5044 group (~40' SW of the center of group).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5017 = H. III-669 = h1553 on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) and simply noted as "vF".  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; bM" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5018 = ESO 576-010 = MCG -03-34-017 = UGCA 335 = PGC 45908

13 13 01.0 -19 31 05; Vir

V = 10.8;  Size 3.3'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 112°

 

14.5" (4/10/21): at 182x and 226x; bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~1.8'x1.5', very strong and sharp concentration with a small, very bright core and an intense nucleus.  A mag 14.6 star was seen just outside the halo [1.1' E of center].  Brightest in a small group with NGC 5022 7' ESE and NGC 5006 23' NW.  NGC 5018 is located 30' NW of the mag 5.3 star HD 114946.

 

Type Ia SN 2021fxy, discovered on 17 Mar 2021, was visible as a mag 14.2 "star", just 7" E and 20" N of center of the galaxy. It was seen without difficulty close to the edge of the core and within the halo.  A similar mag 14.1 star was noted 2' N of the galaxy.

 

17.5" (4/13/96): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, roughly 2.5'x2.0'.  Very bright core dominates much fainter halo.  Located 6' SE of mag 9.3 SAO 157792.  Forms a pair with NGC 5022 7.2' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5018 = H. II-746 = h1554 on 8 Apr 1788 (sweep 826) and recorded "pB, S, pBN."  His position is within the halo of ESO 576-010 = PGC 45908.  John Herschel made the single observation "B; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 30"." and measured an accurate position.  Nearby NGC 5022 was discovered by Wilhelm Tempel.

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NGC 5019 = UGC 8288 = MCG +01-34-009 = CGCG 044-027 = PGC 45885

13 12 42.4 +04 43 47; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

 

18" (5/28/06): very faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, very weak concentration.  A 20' string of a half dozen mag 11 stars oriented NW to SE passes to the south of the galaxy.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5019 = H. III-545 = h1555 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and logged "eF, cS, er."  John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5020 = UGC 8289 = MCG +02-34-003 = CGCG 072-024 = PGC 45883

13 12 39.9 +12 35 59; Vir

V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 85°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): this face-on barred spiral appears as a fairly large, round 2' glow of fairly low surface brightness.  Contains a sharply defined, bright 20" core and a stellar nucleus.  Located 15' SE of mag 8.4 SAO 100454.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5020 = H. II-129 = h1556 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and recorded "F, pL, little brighter middle, r, of a roundish figure."  John Herschel made three observations, first logging "F; pL; E; 30" long."

 

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 16 Feb 1855 at Birr Castle, recorded "S, R, pB Nucl, with (I suspect) straggling arms of F neby branching out, perhaps spiral."

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NGC 5021 = UGC 8284 = MCG +08-24-084 = CGCG 245-030 = PGC 45834

13 12 06.2 +46 11 46; CVn

V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 78°

 

18" (7/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.5', brighter along a fairly thin major axis.  A mag 11 star is off the ENE tip, 1.2' from center.

 

18" (7/1/03): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is at the NE tip (unintentionally observed twice the same evening).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5021 = h1557 on 26 Apr 1830 and recorded "pF; R; 40"; has a *12 north-following by 1 1/2'."  R.S. Ball, LdR's assistant on 28 Mar 1867, noted "Possibly double, at least there seems to be two B portions to it."  The SDSS image reveals either a brighter region south of the core, or a superimposed companion, which is likely Ball's second object.

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NGC 5022 = ESO 576-014 = MCG -03-34-021 = FGC 1581 = PGC 45952

13 13 30.7 -19 32 47; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 2.4'x0.35';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 21°

 

14.5" (4/10/21): at 182x; fairly faint, very thin edge-on ~6:1 SSW-NNE, ~1.5'x0.25'.  A mag 11.1 star is 2.3' N.  Member of a small group with NGC 5018 7' W.

 

17.5" (4/13/96): faint, moderately large, thin edge-on 5:1 ~N-S, 2.0'x0.4', even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star lies 2.3' N of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5018 7' WNW.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5022 on 31 Mar 1881, while observing NGC 5018.  Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy in 1886 and reported it as #196 in the first discovery list at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone noted it was 8' following GC 3448 [NGC 5018] in PA 110° (ESE).

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NGC 5023 = UGC 8286 = MCG +07-27-043 = CGCG 217-017 = FGC 1578 = PGC 45849

13 12 11.8 +44 02 20; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 6.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 28°

 

17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, large, thin edge-on streak SSW-NNE, 4.0'x0.4', slightly brighter center.  Member of nearby group LGG 347 along with M51!  A 1' pair of mag 10/11 stars lies 9' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5023 = H. II-664 = h1559 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725).  He recorded "pretty bright, much extended from sp to nf, about 5' long and 3/4' broad."  NGC 5023 is one of the flattest edge-ons discovered by Herschel, in fact the entire NGC.

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NGC 5024 = M53

13 12 55.2 +18 10 09; Com

V = 7.5;  Size 12.6'

 

17.5" (5/27/00): at 220x this moderately bright GC appeared 6'-7' diameter with a very bright 2' core and ~50-60 stars resolved.  At 380x, perhaps 75 stars were resolved, mostly in the outer halo and the edges of the small, bright, concentrated core.  A brighter mag 12 star is just NE of the core, but most of the resolved stars are mag 13.5-15.  The halo is fairly rich, but unevenly distributed with more stars resolved on the north side.  Towards the edges of the halo the globular thins out and appeared straggly, with a maximum diameter 8'-9'.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): at least 50 stars resolved mostly in the outer halo which reaches 6' diameter.  Contains a very bright core that is very mottled.  Many stars are superimposed over the core.

 

13.1" (5/21/82): outer halo of faint stars resolved.

 

German astronomer Johann Elert Bode discovered M53 = NGC 5024 = h1558 on 3 Feb 1775.  He noted it was "new nebulous patch which appears through the telescope as round and pretty lively."  Charles Messier made an independent discovery on 26 Feb 1777.

 

William Herschel observed the cluster on 30 May 1783 with his 6-inch (Steinicke mentions an earlier observation on 27 Feb 1783) and noted "more than a suspicion of stars."  On 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) he sketched M53 and praised it as "one of the most beautiful objects I remember ever to have seen in the heavens; The cluster appears under the form of a solid ball consisting of small stars quite compressed into one blaze of light, with a great number of loose ones surrounding it and distinctly visible in the general mass.  See fig. 2 [which shows it resolved into numerous stars]."

 

John Herschel described it on 6 May 1826 as "A most beautiful highly compressed cluster. Stars very small, 12...20m; with sc st to a considerable dist; irreg R, but not globular. Comes up to a blaze in the centre; indicating a round mass of pretty equable density."  On 25 May 1827, he logged "Seen by Mr. [Francis] Baily. A fine compressed cluster, with curved appendages like the short claws of a crab running out from the main body."

 

Wilhelm Struve found it again in 1825 or 1826 and included it in a list of 9 "Nebulae dectae" in the appendix to his main catalogue of double stars.  In his 1844 Bedford Catalogue, William Smyth called M53 a "brilliant mass of minute stars" and a "ball of innumerable worlds."

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NGC 5025 = UGC 8292 = MCG +05-31-155 = CGCG 160-162 = PGC 45887

13 12 44.7 +31 48 33; CVn

V = 13.4;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 57°

 

18" (7/1/03): faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.1'x0.25', low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is barely off the NE tip [37" from center].  Located 19' SE of mag 6.7 SAO 63396.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5025 = H. III-649 = h1560 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and noted "vF, S, lE."  John Herschel made 3 observations and noted (sweep 131) "vF; E; S; 30" south of a * 13m."  His mean position matches UGC 8292.

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NGC 5026 = ESO 269-073 = AM 1311-424 = MCG -07-27-048 = LGG 339-006 = PGC 46023

13 14 13.5 -42 57 40; Cen

V = 11.5;  Size 3.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 52°

 

18" (4/1/19 - OzSky): at 182x; bright, very large, very bright large oval core, elongated SSW-NNE.  Slightly brighter arcs (arms) surrounded the core region on the northwest side and south side.  The faint halo was quite large, extending ~2'x1.4'.  Situated in a rich star field 6.7' S of mag6.7 HD 114922.  Two or three 15th magnitude stars are superimposed on the galaxy.  NGC 5011 lies 17' SW.

 

ESO 323-099, located 18' NNE, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, roundish though irregular, diffuse, fairly low surface brightness.  A mag 11.7 star is 1.4' S of center.

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.0', broad concentration.  NGC 5011 lies 17' SW.  Located 6.7' S of a mag 7 star.

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, large brighter core.  Part of an outlying group in the Centaurus cluster.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5026 = h3474 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50"."  His mean position (3 nights) is accurate.

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NGC 5027 = UGC 8297 = MCG +01-34-010 = CGCG 044-028 = PGC 45936

13 13 21.0 +06 03 40; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 63°

 

18" (5/28/06): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 14 star is off the SE side 1.0' from the center.  Located 1.2° NW of mag 4.8 Sigma (60) Virginis.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5027 = h1561 on 17 Apr 1830 and recorded "eF; R; very gradually brighter middle."  His position (measured on two nights) is accurate.

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NGC 5028 = MCG -02-34-011 = PGC 45976

13 13 45.8 -13 02 33; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (4/13/96): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.7', slightly brighter core.  A mag 11.5 star is attached on the west side [22" from center].  A brighter mag 10.5 star lies 2.5' due south.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5028 = T. 5-29 in 1882.  His micrometric position (on the mag 11 star at the west edge) matches MCG -02-33-104 = PGC 45170.

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NGC 5029 = UGC 8293 = MCG +08-24-087 = CGCG 245-032 = PGC 45880

13 12 37.6 +47 03 48; CVn

V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 150°

 

18" (7/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, sharply concentrated with a bright 30" core and a much fainter halo which increases the size to perhaps 1.0'.  The outer halo appears irregular with a hint of structure.  Collinear with two mag 10 stars to the east.  Collinear with a mag 11 star 3.4' ESE and mag 9.5 SAO 44516 a similar distance further ESE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5029 = h1562 on 13 May 1830 and logged "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"; twilight."  His position is just off the north side of UGC 8293.

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NGC 5030 = MCG -03-34-023 = PGC 45991

13 13 54.1 -16 29 27; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, bright core.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' NW.  Located 5.4' NW of mag 8.2 SAO 157805 (close double star with components 9.5/9.5 at 1.2").  Member of the NGC 5044 group.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5030, along with NGC 5031 and 5035, on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. He noted "vF, S.  GC 3465 [NGC 5044] follows 1m 28s."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5031 = MCG -03-34-024 = PGC 46006

13 14 03.1 -16 07 23; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (4/13/96): fairly faint, fairly small.  On first glance appeared as a 30" round glow (core) but faint extensions were noticed extending the major axis to 1.3' WNW-ESE.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' E of center.  Member of the NGC 5044 group (NW of center).

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5031, along with NGC 5030 and 5035, on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. He noted "vF, like a nebula star 10-11 mag.  GC 3465 [NGC 5044] follows 2 min." His position is accurate.  RC3 and Deep Sky Field Guide give an incorrect PA of 70°.

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NGC 5032 = UGC 8300 = MCG +05-31-160 = CGCG 160-166 = Holm 513a = PGC 45947

13 13 26.9 +27 48 09; Com

V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 22°

 

24" (6/4/16): at 375x; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 ~N-S, 1.2'x0.8'.  Contains a bright elongated core or bar and a small bright nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' E and a slightly fainter star is 1.3' SW.  Located 21' ESE of mag 4.3 Beta Comae.

 

Forms a physical pair with NGC 5032B = CGCG 160-165 2.4' S.  The companion appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 20"x12", contains a very small brighter nucleus.

 

18" (6/4/05): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', increases to a small, bright core.  Bracketed by two similar stars 1.2' the SW and a similar distance to the NE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5032B = MCG +05-31-159 at 2.4' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5032 = H. III-367 = h1563 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF, pL." Caroline's reduction is 2' south of UGC 8300.

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NGC 5033 = UGC 8307 = MCG +06-29-062 = CGCG 189-043 = PGC 45948

13 13 27.8 +36 35 40; CVn

V = 10.2;  Size 10.7'x5.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 170°

 

48" (4/20/17): at 488x; very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 N-S, some spiral structure is evident.  Very well concentrated with an extremely bright, elongated core roughly 1'x0.5'.  A low surface brightness spiral arm extends from the core on the north side and hooks sharply south on the west side of the halo.  It brightens and appears to end just west of a superimposed mag 14.5 star, situated 1.3' NNW of center.  A detached section of this arm was also seen due west of the core, just west of a superimposed mag 15.7 star [0.9' WSW of center].

 

Although arm structure was not distinguishable on the south side, a brighter knot was visible (at the sharp bend of an arm) 2.4' due S of center.  It was roughly 15" in diameter and aligned with the major axis of the core.  This HII complex is listed in NED as NGC 5033:[EKS96] 229, from the 1996 "An Atlas of H II Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies" by Evans et al.

 

24" (5/22/17 and 5/27/17): at 124x and 282x; very bright and large impressive spiral, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~7'x2.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very elongated core region and an enhanced central axis or bar that increases to a sharp, intense nucleus.  There is a strong impression of spiral structure in the halo with slightly brighter and darker regions.  A very weak enhancement or HII region is 2.4' due south of center with an hint of an arm segment curving through this patch.  An extremely faint, nearly stellar knot (only identified with a DSS image) is 1.3' W of center just northwest of a dim mag 15.7 star in the halo.  A brighter mag 14.5 star is superimposed 1.4' NNW of center.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, small very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is superimposed.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5005 40' NW (physical pair).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5033 = H. I-97 = h1564 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  His description reads, "vB, pL, E, mbM and the brightness diminishing gradually; the extension not far from the meridian [N-S]."

 

Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant on 1 Mar 1851, noted "an appendage [arm] preceding."  The arm was mentioned again on 19 Apr 1862: "The patch p[receding] is vF, yet distinctly seen as far as in sketch, but I suspect it joins n end of neb."  R.J. Mitchell, observing on 3 May 1858, noted "I also think I see a neb knot sf, in the direction of major axis of neb, but was interrupted by clouds."  This "knot" is mostly likely the HII complex NGC 5033:[EKS96] 229, situated 2.4' south of center.

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NGC 5034 = UGC 8295 = MCG +12-13-001 = CGCG 336-003 = PGC 45859

13 12 19.0 +70 38 58; UMi

V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 15°

 

18" (6/27/03): very faint, small, irregularly round, 0.5'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  Requires averted vision although viewed nearly 6 hrs passed the meridian with the galaxy fairly low.  Forms the east vertex of a triangle with mag 12/13 stars 2.7' WNW and 4' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5034 = H. III-909 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037).  He noted "very faint, very small, round."  His RA is 30 sec too small (most objects on this sweep have similar errors).

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NGC 5035 = MCG -03-34-028 = PGC 46068

13 14 49.2 -16 29 34; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration.  Bracketed by mag 9.4 SAO 157810 1.8' S and a mag 10 star 2.1' NNE of center.  First of six in field with NGC 5037 7' SE and brightest member NGC 5044 10.5' NE.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5035, along with NGC 5030 and 5031, on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. His description reads "F, S, R, bN. GC 3465 [NGC 5044] follows 34 seconds [of time]."  His position is 1' too far south.

 

William Herschel may have noted the galaxy on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732).  In his description for NGC 5044 he noted "I believe I saw a very faint one approximately preceding."  Since NGC 5035 was on the sweep path (moving from the southwest), it easily could have been seen near the edge of his field (discovery suggested by Wolfgang Steinicke).

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NGC 5036 = PGC 46057

13 14 42.8 -04 10 43; Vir

V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

17.5" (6/1/02): very faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  With direct vision a slightly brighter 5" core is visible.  Forms a pair with difficult NGC 5039 2.6' NE.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5036 = LM 2-458, along with NGC 5036, on 25 Jan 1887.  He noted "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 1st of 2." and his position matches PGC 46057.  Dorothy Carlson classifies this number as nonexistent.  NGC 5036 and NGC 5039 were the last Leander McCormick discoveries that made it into the NGC.

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NGC 5037 = MCG -03-34-029 = PGC 46078

13 14 59.6 -16 35 27; Vir

V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is perched at the NE tip.  Second of six in the NGC 5044 group (LGG 338) with NGC 5035 6.2' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5037 = H. II-510 = h1565 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "F, lE, 1 1/2' long."  His position is an excellent match with MCG -03-34-029 = PGC 46078.  John Herschel recorded "pF; R; bM; 25".  A * 12m 1' np."  The mag 12 star is instead at the north-following end.

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NGC 5038 = MCG -03-34-031 = PGC 46081

13 15 02.1 -15 57 06; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.1;  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.2', very small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 4.3' SSW.  Located roughly 30' N of the center of the NGC 5044 group.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5038 on 28 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory.  He recorded "cB, E 90° +/-, stellar nucleus.  Follows Lalande 24460 4min 28sec and is 3' north." His position is accurate.

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NGC 5039 = PGC 46064 = LEDA 1062056

13 14 52.0 -04 09 29; Vir

V = 15.5;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): extremely faint and small, round, 0.2' diameter.  Requires averted and only intermittently visible between a mag 12.5' 1.5' SSW and a mag 13 star 1.6' NNE.  DSFG lists a V magnitude of just 16.1!

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5039 = LM 2-459, along with NGC 5036, on 25 Jan 1887, and recorded "mag 15.8, 0.1' dia , E 45°, 2nd of 2 [with NGC 5036]."  His position is accurate and Corwin notes his sketch clearly shows it in relation to NGC 5036.

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NGC 5040 = MCG +09-22-031 = CGCG 271-024 = PGC 45945

13 13 32.6 +51 15 31; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.5', contains a small brighter core with a stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed.  Located 8.3' NNE of mag 9 SAO 28675.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5040 = H. II-816 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and logged "F, S, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 15 sec of RA east and 1.5' north of CGCG 271-024 = PGC 45945.  Sir Robert Ball noted "vS, stellar, bM" at Birr Castle on 1 Mar 1867.

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NGC 5041 = UGC 8319 = MCG +05-31-162 = CGCG 160-168 = PGC 46046

13 14 32.4 +30 42 20; Com

V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, fairly small, irregular round, relatively low surface brightness, 1' diameter, weakly concentrated.  The core appears to be elongated NW-SE within a slightly fainter rounder halo.  Located 26' SW of NGC 5056 in a group.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5041 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 8319, although Dreyer made a digit error and the NGC declination is exactly 10' too small.  Max Wolf noted this error in Konigstuhl-Nebel List #9 (the correct position is given under #215).

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NGC 5042 = ESO 508-031 = MCG -04-31-043 = UGCA 340 = PGC 46126

13 15 31.0 -23 59 01; Hya

V = 11.8;  Size 4.2'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 22°

 

18" (5/16/09): very large, diffuse galaxy with a fairly low surface brightness, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE.  At 175x there was a broad, weak central brightening but no core or nucleus and appeared nearly 3.0'x1.8' in size.  Located 2.4' NE of mag 8 HD 115123, which distracted from the view.  A faint pair of mag 15 stars is at the NNE end.

 

17.5" (6/1/02): large, low surface brightness galaxy situated just 2.4' NE of mag 8.1 SAO 181487 with a broad concentration.  Picked up at 100x and 200x was nearly too high a power for a good view (in fairly poor seeing).  Appears elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE and perhaps 3'x1.5' although the halo smoothly fades into the background and the nearby bright star detracts from a good view of the halo.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5042 = h3477 on 25 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; L; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; a star 9m; 1' north, precedes 10s."  His position is accurate, although the nearby star is southwest, not northwest.

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NGC 5043 = ESO 132-002

13 16 16 -60 04; Cen

Size 15'x8'

 

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x and 178x): very bright scattered cluster extending over a 14'x7' region from SW to NE.  Contains ~25 brighter mag 10.5-12 stars and an equal number of faint stars.  Three mag 10-10.5 stars are on the southwest end.  Many of the stars appear to be connected in loose, curving chains.  There is no concentration towards the center or denser subgroups and the outline is quite irregular.  Still, at low power the group stands out well enough.  Located 30' SE of a mag 4.5 star (V831 Cen).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5043 = h3476 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded, "Cluster VIII; oblong, 10' by 7', of loose sc st 11m."  His position corresponds with a mag 10.7 star at the center of a scattered group of mag 11/12 stars.  Harold Corwin moves the center of the group 30 sec of RA west of Herschel's position. The RNGC description is "NOCL?".

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NGC 5044 = MCG -03-34-034 = UGCA 341 = LGG 338-004 = PGC 46115

13 15 24.0 -16 23 06; Vir

V = 10.8;  Size 3.0'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly bright, round, 2.0' diameter, moderate concentration.  Brightest in a group (LGG 338) and third of six in a 20' circle with NGC 5049 8' E, NGC 5046 7' NE, NGC 5047 10' SE, NGC 5035 10' SW and NGC 5037 14' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5044 = H. II-511 = h1566, along with NGC 5049, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503).  He noted "pretty bright, round, bright middle."  He made another observation on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732): "pretty bright, pretty large, round.  I believe I saw a very faint one approximately preceding."  PGC 83851 is less than 5' west, though it is almostly certainly too faint at B = 16.2.  But 10' SW is NGC 5035 and since the sweep was moving northeast, it was likely seen (suggested by Wolfgang Steinicke).  On 11 May 1831 (sweep 354), John Herschel called it "pretty faint; pretty large; round; 30" diameter."

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NGC 5045 = ESO 096-005

13 17 06 -63 25; Cen

Size 45'

 

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x, 145x and 230x): at the NGC position is a very rich Milky Way collection of stars; at least 150 stars were counted in a 15' to 18' region, including mag 6.8 HD 115400 at the southeast edge.  The other stars are mag 10 and fainter, except for a mag 9.4 star on the southwest side.  At lowest power, another 15'x5' (elongated NW-SE) bright, scattered group also caught my attention.  It is situated to the southwest of the NGC star cloud and contains many more brighter stars.  Mag 7 HD 114886 is on its southeast end, along with at least a half-dozen additional mag 8-9 stars.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5045 = h3475 on 16 Jun 1835 and reported "A great cluster or a surprisingly rich portion of the milky way.  It contains 34 stars 11m, and perhaps 150 or 200 of less magnitudes in the field."  At his position (given here) is a rich milky way field, but no distinct cluster.  The RNGC description is "NOCL?".  SIMBAD gives a position 3 min of RA further west, though there is no cluster there either.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 5045 might be a duplicate observation of NGC 5155, nearly 10 min of RA following.  JH's descriptions are quite similar, however both objects were recorded on the same sweep, so this would require some kind of mix-up on his part.

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NGC 5046 = MCG -03-34-035 = PGC 46141

13 15 45.1 -16 19 37; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.1

 

17.5" (5/17/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Located 3.2' SSW of mag 8.9 SAO 157821.  Fourth of six in the NGC 5044 group with NGC 5044 7' SW.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5046 on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. He recorded "F, vS, R, stellar nucleus.  GC 3465 [NGC 5044] precedes 21 sec."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5047 = MCG -03-34-036 = PGC 46150

13 15 48.4 -16 31 08; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 ENE-WSW, very small bright core.  Fifth of six in the NGC 5044 group with NGC 5044 13' NW, NGC 5049 8' NNE and NGC 5046 11.6' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5047 = H. III-670 on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) and simply noted "vF".  Caroline's reduction is NGC dec is 3' north of MCG -03-34-036 = PGC 46150.  d'Arrest made a single observation and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5048 = ESO 443-087 = MCG -05-31-041 = PGC 46179

13 16 08.3 -28 24 38; Hya

V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 48°

 

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', weak even concentration to the center.  NGC 5051 lies 8' NNE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5048 = h3478, along with NGC 5051, on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pF; R; has another nebula nf; Delta RA = 20s +/-; Delta PD; 5' +/-."  His position is just off the south side of ESO 443-087 = PGC 46179.

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NGC 5049 = MCG -03-34-037 = UGCA 343 = LGG 338-005 = PGC 46166

13 15 59.3 -16 23 52; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 122°

 

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Last of six in a 20' field (LGG 338 group) with NGC 5044 8.5' W and NGC 5047 7.8' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5049 = H. II-512, along with NGC 5044, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "F, S."  His position is 1.4' northwest of MCG -03-34-037 = PGC 46166.

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NGC 5050 = UGC 8329 = MCG +01-34-012 = CGCG 044-043 = PGC 46138

13 15 41.7 +02 52 44; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Contains a very small bright 15" core.  Collinear with two mag 13/14 stars less than 2' N.  Located 10' SSE of mag 7.3 SAO 119834.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5050 = m 249 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "F, vS, stell."  His position is 1.5' southwest of UGC 8329, the only nearby galaxy.

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NGC 5051 = ESO 444-001 = MCG -05-31-042 = PGC 46194

13 16 20.0 -28 17 09; Hya

V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

 

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Appears to have a brighter slightly brighter bulging core and narrower extensions.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5051 = h3479, along with NGC 5048, on 30 Mar 1835 and noted "The following of 2 [with NGC 5048]."  In his description for h3478 = NGC 5048 he gave the separation as roughly 20s of RA and 5' in PD.  The actual figures are 12s of RA and 7.5' in Dec.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00.

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NGC 5052 = UGC 8330 = MCG +05-31-165 = CGCG 160-171 = PGC 46131

13 15 34.9 +29 40 33; Com

V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.7', fairly bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1.6' SE of center.  Located 7' SE of mag 9.3 SAO 63428.  Probable outlying member of AGC 1656 (core is  4° SE) with a similar redshift as the cluster.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5052 = h1567 on 10 Apr 1831 and simply noted "vF".  His position (single observation) is 1' north of UGC 8330 = PGC 46131.

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NGC 5053

13 16 26.9 +17 41 52; Com

V = 9.9;  Size 9';  Surf Br = 0.0

 

17.5" (5/10/86): about two dozen faint stars resolved at 286x over a faint background haze.  Very weak concentration with no core.  Appears similar to a faint, resolved open cluster.  A mag 9.5 star is off the east side, 6.5' from the center.

 

8" (3/28/81): faint, fairly large, pale, no resolution.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5053 = H. VI-7 = h1569 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  Immediately after logging M53, he recorded "an extremely faint cluster of stars intermixed with resolvable nebulosity 8 or 10' diameter.  The stars are so small that they cannot be seen without the greatest attention. 240 verified it beyond all doubts."  The derived RA was two minutes too large, but there is no question with the identification.

 

John Herschel described the GC as "vL; eF; a cluster of stars 19 or 20m, with 4 or 5 = 15m; irreg R, very gradually very little brighter middle; diam at least 8 or 10'.  A most curious and interesting object.  The stars are just discernable.  So faint, might easily be overlooked."  He also mentioned the RA of his father was "very much out" so he nearly lost the observation.  Dreyer used John Herschel's position in the NGC.

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NGC 5054 = MCG -03-34-039 = UGCA 344 = PGC 46247

13 16 58.3 -16 38 07; Vir

V = 10.9;  Size 5.1'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 155°

 

48" (4/21/17): at 488x and 697x: very bright, large, very irregular 3-armed spiral!  Strongly concentrated with an intensely bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  A thin strong arm is attached to the core on the west side.  It shoots nearly straight north, aiming east of a mag 14 star 2.3' NW of center and quickly dimming as it heads towards MCG -03-34-040, a companion 2.6' NNW of center.   A second arm begins on the north side of the core.  It curls east towards a mag 13.5 star, 1.3' NE of center, and separates from the core.  It then dims to a very low surface brightness and curves south, ending ~2' SE of center.  A third arm starts on the east side of the core and extends south, ending at a brighter patch or HII region [1.2' SSE of center].  NGC 5044, the brightest of a fairly rich group, lies 27' NW. 

 

MCG -03-34-040 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, thin edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.1', fairly low even surface brightness.  The major axis of the axis "points" towards the core of NGC 5054.  The northwestern spiral arm of NGC 5054 heads towards this galaxy, but fades out before reaching it

 

24" (6/1/13): bright, large, elongated nearly 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x2'.  Contains a large, bright core with a sharp, bright nearly stellar nucleus.  The overall outline and surface brightness is irregular with spiral structure evident.  A relatively thin, straight arm is attached on the west side of the core and shoots ~1.2' NNW, separating well from the central region. A second, lower contrast arm is attached at the NE side of the central region and hugs tightly along the eastern side of the core.  This arm was not resolved until it extended south of the central region.  A small, brighter knot (~10") is visible just north of the central region [~40" N of center]. A mag 13.5 star is just off the NE side, 1.3' from center, and a mag 14 star lies NW of the western arm, 2.2' from center.

 

Forms a pair with MCG -03-34-040 2.6' NNW. The companion appeared faint, small, very elongated 7:2 N-S (major axis aligned with the nucleus of NGC 5054), 22"x6", even surface brightness.  The NGC 5044 group (7 NGCs) lies 20'-30' NW.

 

8" (5/26/84): fairly faint, contains a brighter middle with a diffuse outer halo of low surface brightness; the edge of the halo is difficult to define.  One or two faint stars are involved.  NGC 5017, NGC 5037 and NGC 5044 all lie to the west.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5054 = H. II-513 = h1568 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "considerably faint, irregularly round."  A second observation was made on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732): "pretty bright, almost considerably bright, pretty large, irregular figure, but much brighter middle."  John Herschel noted "vF; R; 20"."

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NGC 5055 = M63 = UGC 8334 = MCG +07-27-054 = CGCG 217-023 = PGC 46153 = Sunflower Galaxy

13 15 49.2 +42 01 49; CVn

V = 8.6;  Size 12.6'x7.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 105°

 

48" (4/23/17): This gorgeous spiral is sharply concentrated with a bright, mottled oval core that increases to an intensely bright nucleus.  Several low contrast dust lanes surround the core, particularly on the south side of the core, separating thin sections of spiral arms. A long, relatively broad dust lane crosses the halo E-W, roughly 2' south of center.  A very low surface brightness arm or section of the outer halo is visible beyond (south) of this dust lane.  A mag 9.3 star is superimposed in the outer halo [3.7' WNW of center].

 

48" (4/7/13): The "Sunflower Galaxy" is a classic example of a floccelent spiral with many short fragments forming the arms.  At 375x it appeared extremely bright and large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 8'x4'.  A large, intense, mottled core increases to a small, brilliant nucleus.  The outer halo was resolved into several tightly wrapped spiral arcs that are separated by thin dust lanes.  The arm structure is most evident along the south side of the galaxy with the easiest arm at the outer edge, particularly where it separates at the western end.  The galaxy extends just beyond a mag 9.3 star (HD 115270) at the northwest edge.

 

UGCA 342, probably a detached section of the outer halo of M63, lies 8' WSW of center and 1.2' S of a mag 10.7 star.  It appeared extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 20"x10", very low surface brightness.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): very bright, large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 6'x3'.  There is a faint outer extension to the WNW (outer spiral arms?) that reaches extremely close to mag 8.7 SAO 44530 just 3.7' from the center.

 

13.1" (5/27/84): very bright, elongated NNW-SSE, broad moderate concentration, stellar nucleus.  The southern edge is more sharply defined while the northern side is more diffuse and extensive.  A mag 8.5 star is off the NW edge.

 

Pierre Méchain discovered M63 = NGC 5055 = h1570 on 14 Jun 1779.   William Herschel observed M63 with his 18.7" on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 717).  He recorded "extended from np to sf., 5 or 6' long and near 4' broad, a bright nucleus, very brilliant."  On 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) he called it "very bright, 9 or 10' long, considerably broad, the brightness confined to a small place."  His sketch from sweep 717 was included in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 27) under the section of "Nebulae that have a nucleus".  John Herschel logged "B; pmE; very suddenly much brighter middle, almost to a *, pos 30° np to sf.  The sf end more diffused.  Has a bright star np and a double star following."

 

On 9 Mar 1850, Lord Rosse (or observing assistant George Johnstone Stone) noted M63 was "another fine and bright spiral."  Later observations couldn't confirm the spirality, though the galaxy is included in the list of 14 "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 PT paper.

 

Basen on Mt Wilson 60-inch photographs, Pease (1918) described M63 as a "bright, beautiful spiral 8' x 3' in p.a. 98°. Has an almost stellar nucleus. The whorls are narrow, very compactly arranged, and show numerous almost stellar condensations."

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NGC 5056 = UGC 8337 = MCG +05-31-166 = CGCG 160-173 = PGC 46180

13 16 12.3 +30 57 00; Com

V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, broad concentration.  The extensions appear mottled with a hint of clumpiness.  Two mag 14.5 star are close following with the closer star 1.0' SE of center.  Located 3.3' N of mag 8.8 SAO 63436.  Brightest in a group including NGC 5057 6' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5056 = H. III-306 = h1571, along with NGC 5057, on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "Two, the time is that of the first [NGC 5056].  Both vF and S.  The second [NGC 5057] about 7 or 8' north following the first."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; S; R; bM.  The first of 2." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5057 = UGC 8342 = MCG +05-31-169 = CGCG 160-176 = PGC 46202

13 16 27.8 +31 01 53; Com

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

17.5" (5/27/00): fairly faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus at moments.  Probably viewed the core only (halo very faint on DSS).  Smaller but higher surface brightness than NGC 5056 6' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5057 = H. III-307 = h1572, along with NGC 5056, on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "Two, the time is that of the first [NGC 5056].  Both vF and S.  The second [NGC 5057] about 7 or 8' north following the first."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; S; R; bM.  The second of 2." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5058 = UGC 8345 = MCG +02-34-006 = CGCG 072-042 = Rose 30 = Mrk 786 = PGC 46241

13 16 52.3 +12 32 54; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration to center but no defined core.  Located 8' N of mag 8.4 SAO 100490.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5058 on 2 Jun 1883 while observing to the north of a comet.  Dreyer referenced Tempel's 5th discovery paper, but it was mentioned in his 7th paper.

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NGC 5059 = UGC 8344 = CGCG 044-050 = FGC 1589 = PGC 46244

13 16 58.5 +07 50 40; Vir

V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 8°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): extremely faint, very small, elongated ~N-S, ~0.4'x0.1', requires averted vision to glimpse.  Located 1.5' NW of a mag 13.5 star.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5059 = m 250 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, S, lE."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5060 = UGC 8351 = MCG +01-34-015 = CGCG 044-053 = PGC 46278

13 17 16.3 +06 02 15; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7'.  The halo appears to change orientation with averted vision.  Weak concentration to a slightly brighter 15" core.  Forms an equilateral triangle with mag 9.0 SAO 119848 10' SW and mag 9.3 SAO 119852 10' NW.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5060 on 17 Apr 1863 and reported it as #168 in his AN 1500 list.  His position (measured on 3 nights) is an excellent match with UGC 8351 and he noted a mag 15 star that precedes by 11-12 sec of time (the actual separation is 10 sec).  In his 10th discovery list, Lewis Swift claimed he discovered 4 nebulae in the field of NGC 5060, though only one (IC 872) can be associated with a galaxy.

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NGC 5061 = ESO 508-038 = MCG -04-31-048 = PGC 46330

13 18 04.8 -26 50 11; Hya

V = 10.4;  Size 3.5'x3.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, fairly small, round, small very bright core.  A mag 13 star is embedded in the NE portion of the halo.  Located 2.5' WNW of mag 8.5 SAO 181534. 

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, small, round, small bright nucleus.  A mag 10 star is 3' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5061 = H. I-138 = h3480 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550) and recorded "considerably bright, round, much brighter middle in a pretty small place."  His position is accurate. From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "vB; R; bM; has a *10m 11s following; 30" south."

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NGC 5062 = ESO 382-035 = MCG -06-29-026 = LGG 340-003 = PGC 46351

13 18 23.6 -35 27 32; Cen

V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 132°

 

18" (3/17/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2'.  A mag 11 star lies 1.7' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5063 6' N.  Located 1.3 degrees NNW of mag 2.8 Iota Centauri.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5062 = h3482, along with NGC 5063, on 1 May 1834 and recorded "eF; vS; E. (? if really a nebula)" His position is 1.5' too far north (similar offset as NGC 5063).

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NGC 5063 = ESO 382-036 = MCG -06-29-027 = LGG 340-004 = PGC 46357

13 18 25.6 -35 21 09; Cen

V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 145°

 

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1' diameter.  Unusual appearance with a faint star at the north edge of the halo, a slightly brighter star at the west edge of the halo and third fainter star superimposed closer to the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5062 located 6.4' S.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5063 = h3481, along with NGC 5062, on 1 May 1834 and recorded "eF; vS; R; near one or two stars."  His position is 1.5' too far north.

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NGC 5064 = ESO 220-002 = PGC 46409

13 19 00.0 -47 54 33; Cen

V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 38°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE (with averted), ~1.4'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, high surface brightness core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  The extensions (spiral arms) were much fainter.  A mag 9.4 star lies 6' SW.  Located 1.4° WSW of Omega Centauri!  Brightest member of a group.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5064 = h3483 on 3 Mar 1837 and recorded "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 25"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5065 = UGC 8356 = MCG +05-31-170 = CGCG 160-181 = PGC 46293

13 17 30.6 +31 05 30; Com

V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.9'x0.7', pretty smooth surface brightness.  A mag 14.5-15 star is at the north edge, 26" from the center.  Follows a wide pair of mag 10/12 stars (SAO 63455) by 5'.  Located 19' NE of NGC 5056 in a group.  Forms a pair with CGCG 160-180 2.8' SW.  The companion was extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5065 = H. III-308 = h1573 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made a single observation and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5066 = NGC 5069 = MCG -02-34-020 = PGC 46360

13 18 28.4 -10 14 01; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, irregularly round, low even surface brightness, 0.6'x0.5'.  A thin triangle of mag 11 stars is SW (vertex star is 6' SW).  Located 2° NW of Spica.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5066 = m 251 on 30 May 1864 and noted "vF, vS."  His position matches MCG -02-34-020 = PGC 46360.  Ormond Stone independently discovered the galaxy in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and reported it in list I-197 (later NGC 5069).  His very rough position (nearest min of RA) is 18 sec of RA following this galaxy and essentially matches. So, NGC 5066 = NGC 5069, with discovery priority to Marth.

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NGC 5067

13 18 28.1 -10 08 39; Vir

 

= **, Carlson.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5067 = m 252, along with NGC 5066, on 30 May 1864 and noted "vF, vS."  Less than 30" south of his position is a 12" pair of mag 15 stars.  Based on a Heidelberg plate, Karl Reinmuth described NGC 5067 as a "double star 15.5 and 16 conn 45°; neb?, very doubtful; *14 n 1.1'."  Dorothy Carlson follows Reinmuth and also classifies NGC 5067 as a double star.

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NGC 5068 = ESO 576-029 = MCG -03-34-046 = UGCA 345 = PGC 46400

13 18 54.6 -21 02 20; Vir

V = 10.0;  Size 7.2'x6.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 110°

 

13.1" (7/5/83): fairly large, diffuse, no definite edges, almost round.  NGC 5087 lies 32' NE.  Member of the M83/Cen A group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5068 = H. II-312 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 709) and recorded "F, L, irregularly round, brightest in the middle, but very gradually."

 

Julius Schmidt rediscovered it on 21 Jan 1865, published an offset from a nearby 9th mag star, but thought he had found comet Bruhns (AN 64, 63).  The next year (AN 64, 271), he retracted the observation and stated it was probably another comet or nebula.  Johann Palisa measured an accurate position on 20 Mar 1884, though referred to it as Schmidt's nebula from 1865, without reference to Herschel's original discovery.

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NGC 5069 = NGC 5066 = MCG -02-34-020 = PGC 46360

13 18 28.4 -10 14 01; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5066.

 

Ormond Stone found NGC 5069 = LM 1-197 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone's rough position (nearest min of RA) is just 17 sec of RA east and 1' south of NGC 5066, discovered two years earlier by Albert Marth on 30 May 1864. In the NGC description, Dreyer questions if NGC 5066 = NGC 5069 as the positions are fairly similar, and Harold Corwin equates the numbers.

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NGC 5070 = NGC 5072 = MCG -02-34-022 = PGC 46437

13 19 12.4 -12 32 21; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5072.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5070 = Sw. 3-67 on 3 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeF, eS, vf * v close, looks like a D* at first; another nr; 6 in field., H.III.117 [NGC 5076], II.193 [NGC 5077], III.118 [NGC 5079], R nova [NGC 5088] and GC 5730 [NGC 5072]."  Swift's position for NGC 5070 is 19 tsec of RA preceding and 2' south of NGC 5072 and falls in an empty section of sky.

 

The only galaxy nearby that matches this description is NGC 5072, which has a 14th magnitude star superimposed on the south end, giving the initial impression of a faint double star. So, based on Swift's description, NGC 5070 = NGC 5072.  Heinrich d'Arrest discovered this galaxy on 26 Apr 1867 and placed it accurately.

 

The RNGC misidentifies MCG -02-34-023 as NGC 5070.  This faint edge-on is located 3' NNE of NGC 5072.  The RNGC misidentification is listed in my RNGC Corrections #3, although misstated that the RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 5070 and NGC 5072.

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NGC 5071 = CGCG 044-062 = PGC 46375

13 18 37.2 +07 56 08; Vir

V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 144°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 3.5' W of mag 9.8 SAO 119870, which detracts from viewing.  NGC 5075 lies 9.5' SE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5071 = m 253 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, eS, stell." His position is just off the north edge of CGCG 044-062 = PGC 46375.

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NGC 5072 = NGC 5070 = MCG -02-34-022 = PGC 46432

13 19 12.4 -12 32 21; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is in contact at the south-southwest end.  Forms a pair with (R)NGC 5070 = MCG -02-34-023 3.6' NNE in the NGC 5077 group.

 

MCG -02-34-023 appeared extremely faint, very small, oval ~N-S.  A mag 14.5 is just off the east edge 40" from the center. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 5070 in the RNGC.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5072 on 26 Apr 1867 (his last deep sky discovery), while observing the NGC 5077 group.  His single position matches PGC 46432.  NGC 5070, found by Lewis Swift on 3 Jun 1886, is a duplicate entry.  See that number.  Herbert Howe, observing in moonlight in 1899-00, noted "it looked almost like a double star of mag 12-13, angle 30° and distance 15"."

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NGC 5073 = MCG -02-34-025 = UGCA 346 = FGC 1594 = PGC 46441

13 19 20.9 -14 50 41; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 3.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 151°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): nice edge-on 7:1 NW-SE, slightly brighter core, very thin extensions, 2.4'x0.3'.  Three MCG galaxies follow (MCG -2-34-028/032/033) by 5'.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5073 = H. III-282 = h1574 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and recorded "vF, mE, very narrow from np to sf."  John Herschel made a single observation and noted "vF; pL; E."

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NGC 5074 = MCG +05-31-172 = CGCG 160-183 = CGCG 161-001 = WAS 67 = PGC 46354

13 18 25.7 +31 28 08; CVn

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Fairly low even surface brightness.  Located 10' S of mag 8.0 SAO 63458.  Possible outlying member of AGC 1656.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5074 = H. III-309 = h1575 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "eF, vS."  John Herschel made a single observation and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5075 = CGCG 044-065 = PGC 46424

13 19 06.3 +07 49 52; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Located 1.4' SW of a mag 13.5 star. Slightly fainter NGC 5071 is in the field 9.5' NW.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5075 = m 254 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, eS, stell."  His position is less than 1' north of CGCG 044-065 = PGC 46424.

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NGC 5076 = MCG -02-34-026 = Holm 514c = PGC 46453

13 19 30.4 -12 44 27; Vir

V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 15°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): first of three in a group with NGC 5079 3.1' NE and NGC 5077 5' N.  Moderately bright, small, irregularly round, even concentration down to a bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5076 = H. III-117 = h1576 = h3489, along with NGC 5077 and NGC 5079, on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211) and recorded "three nebulae; the most north [NGC 5077] pB, vS, bM.  The next [NGC 5079] eF, vS.  The most south [NGC 5076] extremely faint, 240 verified it.  The 3 nebulae form an obtuse triangle, the base of which direction from about 30° south-preceding to 30° north-following and vertex follows the base."  His position matches NGC 5077.  From Slough, John Herschel logged "vF; S; R: 15"; the sp of 3."  His position is less than 1' north of MCG -02-34-026 = PGC 46453.  d'Arrest also observed the trio on two nights and measured accurate positions.

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NGC 5077 = MCG -02-34-027 = UGCA 347 = Holm 514b = PGC 46456

13 19 31.6 -12 39 24; Vir

V = 11.3;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): second of three and brightest in a group with NGC 5079 3.0' SSE and NGC 5076 5.0' S.  Fairly bright, fairly small, oval ~N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 0.9' SE and an extremely faint mag 15 "star" is at the southeast end.  The mag 15 "star" mentioned above is actually a very faint companion in contact.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5077 = H. II-193 = h1577 = h3490, along with NGC 5076 and NGC 5079, on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211).  See his description under NGC 5076.  From Slough, John Herschel recorded "B; R; suddenly brighter middle; 30"; the northern and second of 3."  d'Arrest made two observations and measured a very accurate position with respect to the mag 7.3 star 33 sec of time preceding.

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NGC 5078 = ESO 508-048 = AM 1317-270 = MCG -04-32-001 = PGC 46490

13 19 50.9 -27 24 28; Hya

V = 11.0;  Size 4.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 148°

 

48" (4/28/22): at 488x; very bright and large, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, nearly 4' in length.  Strong concentration with a very bright elongated core. The outer extensions fade out gradually at the NW and SE end.  The SW facing side has a sharp light cut off due to a fairly thin equatorial dust lane.  The lane slices the galaxy unequally with a low surface brightness glow on the SW side that is brightest directly across from the central region of the galaxy. Member of the NGC 5071 group (LGG 341).

 

Forms a physical pair with IC 879 2.4' SW.  LEDA 3084887, situated 2' S (background galaxy at 1.1 billion l.y.) appears very faint and small, slightly elongated, 12" diameter.

 

24" (5/25/14): at 282x, appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.8', sharp concentration with a bright, thin elongated core that looks like a bar. Although the equatorial dust lane immediately southwest of the bar was not noticed at a low elevation, the galaxy was brighter and more extensive on the following side of the bar.  Forms a pair with IC 879 2.5' SW.  Mag 7.8 HD 115890 lies 9' E.  Also nearby are IC 874 17' SW and NGC 5101 25' E.  The Arp-Madore atlas describes NGC 5078 as an "edge-on Sa with interacting companion [IC 879] + dust."

 

IC 879 appeared fairly faint, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 50"x25", slightly brighter 20" core, fairly low surface brightness.

 

13.1" (3/17/86): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.  This pretty system is located 10' W of mag 7.7 SAO 181564.  NGC 5101 lies 27' E.  Forms a close pair with IC 879 2.5' WSW (not seen).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5078 = H. II-566 = h3484 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550).  He recorded "Faint, pretty small, elongated."  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "pretty bright, small, pretty much extended, pretty suddenly brighter middle, has a star 7-8th mag following."  Both Herschels missed nearby IC 879.

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NGC 5079 = MCG -02-34-030 = Holm 514a = PGC 46473

13 19 38.0 -12 41 54; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): third of three in a group with NGC 5077 3' NNW.  Fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5079 = H. III-118 = h1578 = h3491, along with NGC 5076 and NGC 5077, on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211).  His description is given under NGC 5076.  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; pL; lE; 40"; the following of 3." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5080 = MCG +02-34-007 = CGCG 072-046 = PGC 46440

13 19 19.2 +08 25 45; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.8'

 

18" (5/15/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, moderate concentration to a 15" brighter core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 10' WSW of mag 7.1 HD 115885.  A mag 14 star lies 1.7' NW.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5080 on 27 Apr 1881 at the Washburn Observatory and recorded "F, S.  In field with Lalande 24735.  The next night he added "south preceding Lalande 24735 (7th mag) by 38 sec [of time]."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5081 = UGC 8366 = MCG +05-31-174 = CGCG 160-192 = CGCG 161-010 = PGC 46427

13 19 08.2 +28 30 25; Com

V = 13.0;  Size 2.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 103°

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.6'x0.6', weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 30" N of center.  Located 4' SSE of mag 7.2 SAO 82777, which detracts from viewing.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5081 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 8366 and he noted Lalande 24724 [HD 115782] precedes by 5 seconds of RA and 203" north.

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NGC 5082 = ESO 269-089 = MCG -07-27-053 = LGG 348-001 = PGC 46566

13 20 40.0 -43 42 00; Cen

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 23°

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7', broad weak concentration.  A nice double star (11.1/11.7) lies 2.8' NNE and the striking pair of galaxies NGC 5090/5091 is 6' E!

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5082 = h3485 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R."  On a second observation (sweep 788), he added a size estimate of 20" and noted it was 1st in a group of 4.

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NGC 5083 = UGC 8367 = MCG +07-27-059 = CGCG 217-028 = PGC 46413

13 19 03.0 +39 35 21; CVn

V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Low surface brightness with little or no concentration.  Collinear with a mag 10 star 4.5' NNE and mag 9.3 SAO 63470 8' NE (nearly equally spaced).

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5083 = Sw. 1-23 on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "pF; R; pL; DM +2644/5 point to it."  His position is just 7 sec of RA west of UGC 8367 and the description matches.  Bigourdan was unable to find this galaxy.

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NGC 5084 = ESO 576-033 = MCG -04-32-004 = LGG 345-001 = PGC 46525

13 20 16.6 -21 49 39; Vir

V = 10.5;  Size 9.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

 

48" (4/29/22): NGC 5084 is an unusual lenticular edge-on with a very bright flattened central bulge and a warped low surface brightness disk and dust lane stretching 13.5' on deep images.

 

At 488x it was extremely bright with a prominent oval bulge and thin, very long asymmetric disk oriented WSW-ENE.  At the center is a small, brilliant nucleus. The disk is brightest near the bulge and dims significantly quickly.  The ENE extension appeared shorter and was difficult to follow much beyond a mag 13.0 star off its N side [2.3' ENE center]. The WSW side extended 3' from center and then dimmed further and a total length of ~6'.

 

ESO 576-031, situated 8' SW, appeared moderately bright, oval 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4', small bright core. LEDA 823295, 6' E of NGC 5084, was very faint, small, round, low surface brightness.

 

13.1" (7/5/83): fairly bright, very elongated 4:1 E-W, fairly large, small bright nucleus with thin faint extensions.  Brightest in a group (LGG 345) that includes NGC 5087 and NGC 5134.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5084 = H. II-313 = h1579 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 709) and recorded "pB, lE in the parallel, the greatest brightness is towards the following side, which is also the thickest; the preceding part being more like a ray proceeding from it."  John Herschel made a single observation, logging "B; R: pretty suddenly brighter middle; 35"."

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NGC 5085 = ESO 508-050 = MCG -04-32-005 = AM 1317-241 = UGCA 349 = PGC 46531

13 20 17.9 -24 26 18; Hya

V = 11.3;  Size 3.4'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 38°

 

48" (4/29/22): at 488x; bright, large, slightly elongated, 3' diameter, strong concentration with a very bright core.  The disc appeared mottled with a few slightly brighter regions, but I couldn't pick out any spiral structure.  The halo has a brightening on the WSW side, which are giant HII regions in an arm. Another small brightening or knot was on the N end [0.9' NNW of center].  Mag 8.4 HD 15870 is 4' S.  ESO 508-045, an interacting overlap E+S pair, is 11' WSW and ESO 508-043 is 16' WNW.

 

13.1" (3/17/86): large, diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated.  Located 4.2' N of mag 8.5 SAO 181562 and 10.8' WNW of mag 7.1 SAO 181577.

 

13.1" (7/5/83): fairly faint, moderately large, very diffuse, very little or no concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5085 = H. II-780 on 26 Mar 1789 (sweep 918) and recorded "F, L, very gradually little brighter middle, about 4' dia."  His position is 2' north of ESO 508-050 = PGC 46531, the only nearby large galaxy.  JH did not observe this galaxy.

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NGC 5086

13 20 59 -43 44 00; Cen

 

= **, Corwin.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5086 = h3486 on 7 Apr 1837 within a group including NGC 5082, NGC 5090 and NGC 5091.  He described NGC 5086 as "eF, R, 15", the 2nd of a group of 4" and placed it 10 sec of RA west and 50" south of NGC 5090, the brightest in the group.  There is no galaxy at this offset, though very close to his position is a pair of mag 14-15 stars at 17" separation that Harold Corwin identifies as NGC 5086.

 

The RNGC misidentifies ESO 270-003 as NGC 5086.  This galaxy is located 3.4' due south of NGC 5090.  This error was noted in my RNGC Corrections #5.  ESO likely misidentifies ESO 270-001 as NGC 5086.  This galaxy is 12 sec of time west of NGC 5090 and 2' south.

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NGC 5087 = ESO 576-035 = MCG -03-34-050 = UGCA 350 = LGG 345-002 = PGC 46541

13 20 24.9 -20 36 40; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, prominent bright core, stellar nucleus.  Five fairly bright mag 9.5-11 stars are at the west edge of the 220x field including a pair 9' due west.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5087 = H. III-724 on 8 Apr 1788 (sweep 826) and noted "cF, vS, iF."  Caroline's reduced position is 5 sec of RA east of ESO 576-035 = PGC 46541.

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NGC 5088 = MCG -02-34-034 = Holm 515a = PGC 46535 = LEDA 950842

13 20 20.1 -12 34 18; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 178°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, broad concentration.  In a group with NGC 5077 13' WNW.  Located 8' SE of mag 9.3 SAO 157863.

 

R.J. Mitchell and George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 5088 = Sf. 104 on 18 Apr 1855.  After reporting observations of NGC 5076, 5079 and 5077, another was found "12' nf (Pos 25° +/- from the north one [NGC 5077], pB, S, lE ns, pretty gradually much brighter middle."

 

Heinrich d'Arrest found this galaxy on 26 Apr 1867, questioned if it might be Lord Rosse's nebula, and measured an accurate position.  Truman Safford found it again on 20 May 1868 (he also questioned if his object was GC 3489 [NGC 5088]) with the 18-inch refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.

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NGC 5089 = UGC 8371 = MCG +05-31-175 = CGCG 160-194 = CGCG 161-012 = WAS 68 = PGC 46477

13 19 39.3 +30 15 23; Com

V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'.  A mag 15 star is at the SW edge (16" from center).  Another faint star is off the NE side ~1' from the galaxy.  UGC 8377 lies 9' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5089 = H. II-327 = h1580 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "F, pS."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 65) "pB; pL; gradually brighter in the middle." His position on this sweep is within 30" of UGC 8371.

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NGC 5090 = ESO 270-002 = MCG -07-27-054 = LGG 339-008 = PGC 46618

13 21 13.4 -43 42 20; Cen

V = 11.6;  Size 2.9'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.7

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated E-W, 1.6'x1.3', broad concentration.  Forms a close, interesting pair with NGC 5091 1.4' SE of center.  NGC 5082 lies 6' W. Located 1° SW of Centaurus A and 4.8' SW of mag 4.8 HD 115988.

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  Located 4.8' SSW of mag 6.7 SAO 224083.

 

17.5" (2/28/87): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.  Located south of a mag 7 star.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5090 = h3487 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "B; pL; R; 60"."  His position (measured on two nights) is accurate.  Brightest in a group east of the Centaurus cluster.

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NGC 5091 = ESO 270-004 = MCG -07-27-055 = PGC 46626

13 21 18.6 -43 43 19; Cen

V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, ~1' in length and up to 1.4'x0.3' with averted vision.  The major axis is collinear with the center of NGC 5090 just 1.4' NW!  NGC 5082 lies 7' WNW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5091 = h3488 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "F; lE; The last of group; attached to the preceding one [NGC 5090]."

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NGC 5092 = UGC 8376 = MCG +04-31-023 = CGCG 130-030 = CGCG 131-001 = PGC 46493

13 19 51.5 +23 00 00; Com

V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 14.5-15 star lies 50" SSE of center.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5092 on 12 Apr 1867 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (measured twice) is just off the southeast side of UGC 8376. He noted the mag 14.5-15 star just off the southern edge, though called it mag 17.

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NGC 5093 = UGC 8373 = MCG +07-27-060 = CGCG 217-029 = PGC 46472

13 19 37.8 +40 23 10; CVn

V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 143°

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.6' diameter.  Appears to have a large, prominent core with a very faint extensions increasing size to 0.9'x0.6'.  Located 16' NNW of mag 5.6 23 CVn and 26' ESE of mag 4.7 20 CVn.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5093 = H. III-633 = h1583 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 717) and noted "vF, S, little brighter in the middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.5' south of UGC 8373.  John Herschel logged "vF; R; bM; 12"."

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NGC 5094 = MCG -02-34-037 = PGC 46580

13 20 46.8 -14 04 50; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

 

18" (5/15/04): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 25"x20".  Forms a close pair with MCG -02-34-036 1.4' SW.  The companion appeared faint, very small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 20"x12". A mag 14 star lies 1.2' SE with a mag 15.5 companion close southwest.  A third mag 15 star lies 1' E of the galaxy.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5094 = H. III-539 = h1581 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548).  He noted "very faint, very small" and the position is accurate to within 1', though he missed MCG -02-34-036, which was a little too faint.

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NGC 5095 = UGC 8381 = MCG +00-34-029 = CGCG 016-054 = PGC 46561

13 20 36.7 -02 17 22; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 126°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 11.5 star is just off the SW edge 1.8' from center.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5095 = h1582 on 15 Apr 1828 and recorded "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  It is 40° nf a * 11m."  His position is 1' too far south and the mag 11 star is placed correctly.

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NGC 5096 = MCG +06-29-076 = CGCG 189-051 = VV 633 = PGC 46506

13 20 08.5 +33 05 19; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.8'

 

17.5" (5/23/98): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Situated between a mag 10 star 3.1' SSW and a mag 11 star 2.4' NE.  In a group with double system NGC 5098 3.5' NNE.  An extremely faint companion 1' following was glimpsed several times.  NGC 5096, itself, is a very close triple system that was not resolved.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5096 = H. III-650 = h1584 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and logged "eF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 22 sec of RA west and 1.4' north of  CGCG 189-051 = PGC 46506.  Nearby is NGC 5098 to the north, though WH's position is a bit further off from this galaxy (pair).  John Herschel made two observations, first calling h1584 (sweep 74) "F; S; R; bM; the sp of 2 [with NGC 5098].  NGC 5096 is a triple, connected system with fainter components attached on the northwest and northeast side.

 

The MCG misidentifies the western component of the double system NGC 5098 as NGC 5096.

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NGC 5097 = PGC 46602

13 20 59.7 -12 28 17; Vir

Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 45°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  Located within the NGC 5077 group.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5097 = Sw. 3-68 on 3 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; eS; R; stellar; nearly bet. 2 stars."  His position is 4 sec of RA east and 2.5' south of PGC 46602.

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NGC 5098 = MCG +06-29-078 = CGCG 189-052 = PGC 46529 = PGC 46515

13 20 17.7 +33 08 41; CVn

V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/23/98): Both components of this close double system (separated by 38") appeared very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 11 star lies 2.0' S.  In a group with NGC 5096 3.5' SSW and MCG +06-29-079 9' NNE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5098 = h1585 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "F; S; between 2 stars; the nf of 2 [with NGC 5096]."  Although the two components of this double system are fairly equal in brightness, JH only reported a single object and his position is just south of the midpoint.  Harold Corwin notes the comment "between 2 stars" fits the western component better, though they are close enough that either may have been his object.

 

MCG misidentifies the western component (PGC 46515) as NGC 5096.  See Harold Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 5099 = PGC 46627

13 21 19.5 -13 02 32; Vir

V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (4/21/01): extremely faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 12' NW of NGC 5105 and symmetrically placed on opposite side of a 1' pair of mag 13 stars.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5099 = Sw. 3-69 on 3 Jun 1886 and logged "eF; eS; R."  His position is 2.7' south of PGC 46627, a very similar error as NGC 5097 = Sw. 3-68, observed the same night.

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NGC 5100 = NGC 5106? = UGC 8389 = MCG +02-34-009 = CGCG 072-050 = PGC 46599

13 20 59.6 +08 58 42; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x0.9'

 

18" (5/15/04): faint, small, irregularly round, 25"x20", slightly brighter core.  Located 6' NE of mag 9 SAO 119888.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.8' NE of center.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5100 = m 255 on 22 Mar 1865 and logged "vF, vS, little brighter in the middle."  William Herschel probably discovered this galaxy on 23 Jan 1784, though his position for H. II-22 (later NGC 5106) is poor.  See NGC 5106 for the details.

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NGC 5101 = ESO 508-058 = MCG -04-32-008 = UGCA 351 = PGC 46661

13 21 46.1 -27 25 47; Hya

V = 10.6;  Size 5.4'x4.6';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

13.1" (3/17/86): moderately bright, elongated WNW-ESE, gradually increases to a small bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.6' W of center.  NGC 5078 lies 27' W. 

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  A mag 12 star is close W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5101 = H. II-567 = h3493 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550) and recorded "pretty bright, pretty large, gradually brighter in the middle; irregular figure."  This was his last discovery at the Herschel's Clay Hall and starting on 3 April his telescope was set up at Slough (registered sweeps began on 15 Apr).  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5102 = ESO 382-050 = MCG -06-29-031 = PGC 46674

13 21 56.6 -36 37 53; Cen

V = 9.6;  Size 8.7'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 48°

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 4.5'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core that increases to a sharp stellar nucleus.  The extensions are much fainter and require averted vision to see their full extent.  Located 17' ENE of Iota Centauri and 6.1' SE of mag 8.3 HD 116049.  NGC 5102 is a luminous starburst S0 galaxy and a member of the Centaurus A group.

 

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly bright, small, very small bright core, elongated SW-NE.  Located 17' ENE of Iota Centauri (V = 2.8) and 6.1' SE of mag 8 SAO 204385.

 

8": fairly faint, fairly large, elongated.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5102 = h3492 on 21 Apr 1835 and recorded "vB; R; suddenly very much brighter in the middle; 50"."

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NGC 5103 = UGC 8388 = MCG +07-27-062 = CGCG 217-031 = CGCG 218-001 = LGG 346-002 = PGC 46552

13 20 30.1 +43 05 02; CVn

V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 143°

 

18" (5/30/03): this is a pretty, fairly small spindle-shaped lenticular, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.3'.  Located 1.8' S of mag 8.2 SAO 44572.  A distinctive string of mag 11/12/13 star is to the NE of the bright star.  NGC 5123 lies 29' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5103 = H. II-665 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, S, E, 300x showed it like a star with pretty strong burs."  His position is 8 sec of RA too far west.  Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.

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NGC 5104 = UGC 8391 = MCG +00-34-031 = CGCG 016-057 = PGC 46633

13 21 23.1 +00 20 32; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 170°

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.3'. Contains a very small, brighter core.  This is a an edge-on starburst galaxy.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5104 = m 256 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, lE."  His position is within 1' of UGC 8391.

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NGC 5105 = MCG -02-34-039 = PGC 46664

13 21 49.0 -13 12 24; Vir

V = 11.8;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (4/21/01): very faint, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, weak concentration.  In a group with NGC 5099 12' NW and NGC 5111 22' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5105 = Sw. 3-70, along with NGC 5099, on 3 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; lE; double star [ADS 12506] in field."  His position is just 1' south of PGC 46664.

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NGC 5106 = NGC 5100? = UGC 8389 = MCG +02-34-009 = CGCG 072-050 = PGC 46599

13 20 59.6 +08 58 42; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5100.  The equivalence with NGC 5100 is uncertain and Reinmuth and Carlson identify NGC 5106 with a star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5106 = H. II-22 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 108) and recorded a "a vS and F neb, sp 59 Vir.  Its A.R. is about 13h 06 1/4m [No polar distance recorded].  While I looked into the finder to determine its situation I lost it, but shall endeavor to find it another night."

 

Dreyer noted in his 1906 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" there is no nebula in Herschel's place and the number probably refers to NGC 5100 (found by Marth), which is 35 seconds preceding and 30' north of the assumed place of II. 22.  In his later NGC correction list, Dreyer repeats "II. 22 must be = 5100."  Harold Corwin details the inconsistencies with this identification and concludes the identity NGC 5106 = NGC 5100 is "provisional".  See his online notes for more.

 

Karl Reinmuth probably looked for NGC 5106 at the NGC position and reported "=*14.0; 13 14.3 +09 15 (1860) neb susp."  This was repeated by Dorothy Carlson and the RNGC.

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NGC 5107 = UGC 8396 = MCG +07-28-001 = CGCG 218-003 = CGCG 218-003 = Mrk 1346 = LGG 334-011 = PGC 46636

13 21 24.9 +38 32 17; CVn

V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 128°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, edge-on streak NW-SE, weak concentration.  A faint star is off the NW edge.  Located 13' SSW of NGC 5112.  Member of the NGC 5033 Group (LGG 334).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5107 = H. III-619 = h1586 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and logged vF, S, E near the meridian."  His position matches UGC 8396.

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NGC 5108 = ESO 444-020 = MCG -05-32-005 = PGC 46774

13 23 18.8 -32 20 32; Cen

V = 14.0;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 2°

 

18" (6/4/05): marginal observation.  An extremely faint star was sometimes visible at the plotted position.  Once or twice this "star" (core of galaxy?) definitely appeared hazy and perhaps elongated.  Located 9' E of NGC 5114 and 3.4' WNW of a mag 10.9 star.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5108 = h3494 on 3 Jun 1836 NGC 5108 and noted "eeF.  The preceding of 2 [with NGC 5114]."  He noted the RA as approximate and his position is 16 sec of time too far west.

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NGC 5109 = NGC 5113? = UGC 8393 = MCG +10-19-061 = CGCG 294-032 = PGC 46589

13 20 52.7 +57 38 32; UMa

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 153°

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, nearly edge-on 7:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.35', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core.

 

CGCG 294-034, located 5' NE, appeared extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.15.  A mag 14 star is south of the SW tip.

 

William Herschel found NGC 5109 = H. II-826 = h1588 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 947) and noted "F, S, E."  There is nothing at his position, but 70 sec of RA preceding is UGC 8393.  This galaxy was discovered by WH on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and catalogued as III-808 = NGC 5113.

 

Dreyer comments in his notes to WH's third catalogue, that "[III-808] is no doubt identical with II 826 [NGC 5109], both observed once only and in different sweeps.  Harold Corwin also concludes that NGC 5113 = NGC 5109.  But Malcolm Thomson argues that NGC 5113 = CGCG 294-034, a fainter edge-on 5' northeast of NGC 5109.

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NGC 5110 = NGC 5111: = MCG -02-34-041 = PGC 46737

13 22 56.5 -12 57 53; Vir

V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

See observing notes for NGC 5111.  As far as RNGC 5111 = PGC 46719, it appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 1' NE.  Located 8' SW of NGC 5111 and a similar distance north of mag 7.8 SAO 157895.  The NGC identification is uncertain as Swift's position was poor and NGC 5110 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 5111.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5110 = Sw. 3-71 on 3 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF, pS, R, in line with 2 pB stars".  His position is 6 sec of RA west and 2.4' south of NGC 5111 (discovered by WH).  This galaxy is collinear with two mag 12 and 13.5 stars to the northwest, matching Swift's description.

 

RNGC and PGC misidentify  PGC 46719 as NGC 5110.  This galaxy is 13 sec of RA west and 3.5' south of Swift's position.  More importantly, it is not in line with "2 pB stars" as Swift noted.  But Malcolm Thomson feels this galaxy is still a reasonable match.

 

Harold Corwin equates NGC 5110 with NGC 5111 as this galaxy is in a line with two mag 12-13 stars to the northwest.  In this case, Swift's position is 12 tsec E and 4' too far south.  Based on the description, NGC 5111 is a better match, though I'm surprised Swift would call this galaxy "eF" as the V magnitude is 11.7.

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NGC 5111 = NGC 5110: = MCG -02-34-041 = PGC 46737

13 22 56.5 -12 57 53; Vir

V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, round, 1.5' diameter, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Collinear with two mag 14 and 12 stars 1.2' W and 2.7' NW.  Forms a pair with PGC 46719 (possibly NGC 5110) 8' SW.  The NGC 5077 group lies ~50' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5111 = H. III-119 = h1587 on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar; 240 verified it; it is in a row with 2 vF stars and south-following them."  John Herschel made two observations and his position on 9 May 1831 (sweep 352) is a good match with MCG -02-34-041.  NGC 5110, found by Lewis Swift on 3 Jun 1886, is probably a duplicate observation.  See that number.

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NGC 5112 = UGC 8403 = MCG +07-28-003 = CGCG 218-005 = LGG 334-012 = PGC 46671

13 21 56.6 +38 44 07; CVn

V = 12.1;  Size 4.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): this unusual galaxy appears moderately bright, generally elongated NW-SE but the brighter core is offset east of center.  A mag 12.5 star is at the southeast edge, 1.1' from the center.  Located 9.8' SSE of mag 7.2 SAO 63494.  NGC 5107 lies 13' SSW.  Member of the NGC 5033 Group (LGG 334).

 

8" (5/21/82): diffuse, elongated NW-SE.  Located 10' S of a mag 7 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5112 = H. II-646 = h1589 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and recorded "pB, L, iF; unequally bright, among scattered stars, 3 or 4' dia."

 

R.J. Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 30 Mar 1856 and 19 Apr 1857 (Plate 28, Fig. 28 in the 1861 Monograph) and noted "sf branch doubtful."  On 19 Apr 1857 he added "the bend in p end quite easily seen, the F neby towards the star sf is not nearly so certain."

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NGC 5113 = NGC 5109? = UGC 8393 = MCG +10-19-061 = CGCG 294-032 = PGC 46589

13 20 52.7 +57 38 32; UMa

 

See observing notes for NGC 5109.  PGC, CGCG and RNGC identify CGCG 294-034 as NGC 5113.  My notes for CGCG 294-034 are below.

 

18" (5/30/03): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.15.  A mag 14 star is south of the SW tip.  Requires averted to glimpse.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5113 = H. III-808 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and recorded "cF, S, E."  There is nothing at his position, but 30 seconds of time preceding and 2' north is UGC 8393 and his comment "elongated" is appropriate.  He probably found this galaxy again on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 947) and recorded H. II-826 as "F, S, E."  His position on sweep 947 was about 70 seconds of RA too large and the galaxy was catalogued a second time as H. II-826 (later NGC 5109).

 

Dreyer comments in his notes to William Herschel's third catalogue that "[H. III-808] is no doubt identical with II 826 [NGC 5109], both observed once only and in different sweeps.  Harold Corwin also concludes that NGC 5113 = NGC 5109.

 

Malcolm Thomson has a long discussion of H. III-808 and H. II-826 in his Catalogue Corrections monograph and he concludes that H. II-826 = NGC 5113 = CGCG 294-034, a fainter edge-on 5' northeast of NGC 5109.  CGCG and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) identify CGCG 294-034 as NGC 5113.

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NGC 5114 = ESO 444-024 = MCG -05-32-006 = LGG 353-001 = PGC 46828

13 24 01.7 -32 20 38; Cen

V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 80°

 

18" (6/4/05): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, roughly 1.2'x0.9'.  Contains a relatively large brighter core that increases to a faint stellar nucleus.  The halo has a low surface brightness and the edge is difficult to determine as it fades into the background.  A mag 11 star lies 5.8' WSW and very difficult NGC 5108 is 9' W.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5114 = h3495 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; lE; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle.  The following of 2 [with NGC 5108."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5115 = UGC 8408 = MCG +02-34-010 = CGCG 072-057 = PGC 46754

13 23 00.4 +13 57 02; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 97°

 

17.5" (5/23/98): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter with a low, even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star follows by 2.0' and a very close double star is 6' E.  Located 17' W of NGC 5129 in a group.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5115 = Sw. 6-54 on 24 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; * nr f; more distant double star follows 25s; ee diff."  His RA is 10 sec too large but his description of the nearby stars confirms that NGC 5115 = UGC 8408.

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NGC 5116 = UGC 8410 = MCG +05-32-009 = CGCG 161-036 = PGC 46744

13 22 55.6 +26 58 51; Com

V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.3'x0.4'.  Broad concentration with a brighter core and fainter, tapering extensions.  A mag 12 star lies 2' NW.  Forms a pair with IC 4234 8' N at 215x in the 18' field (10.5 Pentax XL).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5116 = H. III-368 = h1590 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded "very faint, much extended, about 1.5' long, resolvable.  I stopped to gage otherwise I might perhaps have overlooked it."  John Herschel made two observations and noted "not vF; pmE; little brighter middle; 30" l; pos 40° inclined to the parallel.

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NGC 5117 = UGC 8411 = MCG +05-32-010 = CGCG 161-037 = PGC 46746

13 22 56.5 +28 18 59; CVn

V = 13.2;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 154°

 

18" (6/21/03): faint, moderately large, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.4'.  Forms the southern vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a two mag 12.5 stars 3.0' NNE and 3.6' NW.  Very weak concentration but no noticeable core.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5117 = h1592 on 30 Mar 1827 and recorded "vF; L; makes an equilateral triangle with two stars 11m, np."  His position and description matches UGC 8411.

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NGC 5118 = IC 4236 = UGC 8413 = MCG +01-34-019 = CGCG 044-078 = PGC 46782

13 23 27.5 +06 23 33; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 100°

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weakly concentrated with an irregular surface brightness.  UGC 8427 lies 18' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5118 = H. III-925 = h1591 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and noted "eF; S."  John Herschel made two observations, logged "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20".", and measured an accurate position (sweep 152).  Lewis Swift probably found the galaxy again on 22 May 1897 and reported it in discovery list XI-156 (later IC 4236).  There is nothing at Swift's position, but exactly 10' north is NGC 5118.  So, likely IC 4236 is a duplicate of NGC 5118.  See Harold Corwin's notes for some discrepancies with Swift's published data in earlier lists.

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NGC 5119 = MCG -02-34-042 = PGC 46826

13 24 00.3 -12 16 35; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 19°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.2', fairly high surface brightness (possibly viewed core only).  Increases to a sharp stellar nucleus.  Located 70' SSW of Spica.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5119 = h3497 on 6 May 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R: or lE; definition bad; doubted at first if it really was a nebula, but remained satisfied."  His position is just off the south edge of PGC 46826.  In the Cape catalogue, he incorrectly equated NGC 5119 with H. III-115.

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NGC 5120 = ESO 096-11 = Ru 166 = OCL-899

13 25 41 -63 27 30; Cen

V = 10.8;  Size 3'

 

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): picked up at 228x as a rich, compact swarm of faint stars to the south of two mag 9.5 stars.  About two dozen mag 13-14.5 stars are resolved in a 2.5' circular region over haze.  A single brighter mag 11 star is near the east end of this small group.  Located just 2.5' SE of mag 9.5 HD 116492 and 5' SW of mag 9.5 HD 116628.  NGC 5155, a very rich and large Milky Way field, is immediately northeast.

 

Listed as "no cl?" in RNGC although shows up quite nicely at the eyepiece.  See identification notes.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5120 = h3496 on 16 Jun 1835 NGC 5120 and recorded "Cl class VI; oval; 4' l by 3' br; stars 12...16; an extremely rich clustering patch in the milky way, which is here superb."  About 3' southwest of his position is a fairly rich group of stars. This cluster is identified as Ru 166 in Lynga #5 and the Sky Catalogue 2000, and RNGC says "no cl?".  But ESO labels this group NGC 5120.

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NGC 5121 = ESO 382-057 = MCG -06-29-035 = PGC 46896

13 24 45.5 -37 40 57; Cen

V = 11.5;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 36°

 

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, brighter core.  Located 21' N of mag 7.4 SAO 204431.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5121 = h3498 on 26 Jun 1834 and recorded "B; R: pretty suddenly very much brighter middle; 30"; resolvable; probably a dim seen globular cluster."

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NGC 5122 = MCG -02-34-043 = PGC 46848

13 24 14.9 -10 39 15; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 115°

 

48" (4/19/17): at 610x; bright, moderately large, very elongated spindle WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.3', tapers at the tips.  Contains a very bright core and a sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is barely off the WNW tip.  An extension bulges out perpendicular to the major axis at the core towards the SSW.  This is the beginning of an edge-on polar ring, which extends out 1' from the center SSW and NNE, but only a small section to the SSW was noticed.

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.2'.  Contains a sharp, stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed.  Confusing the situation is a similar mag 14 star that is just off the WNW extension and in line with the major axis of the galaxy.  Located 35' NNW of Spica.  NGC 5130 lies 27' N.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5122 = Sw. 6-56 on 24 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R; in finder field with Alpha Virginis."  His position is just off the northeast side of the galaxy.  NGC 5122 is a relatively nearby and well-known polar-ring galaxy.  The faint ring is very nearly perpendicular to the disc, and both are seen nearly edge-on.

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NGC 5123 = UGC 8415 = MCG +07-28-005 = CGCG 218-006 = PGC 46767

13 23 10.5 +43 05 10; CVn

V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Just a broad, weak concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5123 = H. II-666 = h1594 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, S, mbM, iR."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 35"."

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NGC 5124 = IC 4233 = ESO 444-027 = MCG -05-32-009 = LGG 351-002 = AM 1322-300 = PGC 46902

13 24 50.4 -30 18 27; Cen

V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 9°

 

18" (6/4/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~5:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.5', fades at the tips.  Fairly well concentrated with a small, brighter round core ~15" diameter and fainter extensions.  Three mag 8.5-10 stars to the SE with mag 8.4 HD 116623 6.4' SE. Forms a close pair with NGC 5126 1.6' SSE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5124 = h3499 on 5 May 1834 and recorded "eF; S; lE."  His position (also measured the next night when he also noticed NGC 5126) is accurate.  Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy again on 31 Dec 1897 and recorded Sw. 11-155 (later IC 4233) as "eeF; pS; R; trapezium near sf."  There is nothing at his position, but 50 sec of RA east is NGC 5124 and his description matches.  So, NGC 5124 = IC 4233.

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NGC 5125 = UGC 8421 = MCG +02-34-011 = CGCG 072-062 = PGC 46827

13 24 00.7 +09 42 37; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 50" diameter.  Even concentration to a bright core and very small nucleus.  At steady moments, the nucleus appears stellar.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5125 = h1593 on 18 Jan 1828 and logged "not vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5126 = ESO 444-028 = MCG -05-32-010 = AM 1322-300 = PGC 46910

13 24 53.6 -30 20 01; Cen

V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 57°

 

18" (6/4/05): extremely faint, small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3'.  Low surface brightness and requires averted to confirm.  Located 1.6' SSE of brighter NGC 5124.  A group of four brighter stars lie southeast including mag 8.4 HD 116623 4.9' SE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5126 = h3500 on 6 May 1834 and noted "vF; vS."  The previous night he discovered brighter NGC 5124.  This galaxy has two very faint, close companions making this group a quadruple.

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NGC 5127 = UGC 8419 = MCG +05-32-013 = CGCG 161-042 = LGG 350-003 = PGC 46809

13 23 45.1 +31 33 57; CVn

V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, fairly small, roundish but slightly irregular outline, 1.0' diameter.  The bright core appears offset to the geometric center.  A neat group of four mag 13-14 stars lies 3'-4' NW.  Forms a pair with difficult CGCG 161-41 6' N.  NGC 5127 is the second-brightest galaxy in Zwicky cluster 1319.6+3135 and brightest in LGG 350.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5127 = H. II-328 = h1596 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "pB, pS, nearly R, mbM."  His position is very poor.  John Herschel made three observations and first logged "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  No other near."  His position on this sweep is excellent.

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NGC 5128 = Arp 153 = ESO 270-009 = MCG -07-28-001 = LGG 344-002 = PGC 46957 = Centaurus A

13 25 27.6 -43 01 09; Cen

V = 6.8;  Size 25.7'x20.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 35°

 

48" (4/13/10): at 330x there was a fascinating amount of structure in the wide, equatorial dark lane that bisects the galaxy.  The dust lane varied in width with fine structure resolved along its ragged, crenated edge.  The interior of the dust lane also varied in brightness with a bright patch close to the center, just following a bright mag 12 star near the south edge of the lane.  This patch is elongated with some structure and may be the visible portion of the obscured core.  Clouds interrupted this brief observation.

 

48" (5/9/18): at 610x and 813x; using a DSS2 (Red) finder chart, I easily star hopped over to the globular cluster [VHH81] 7, the first one discovered in NGC 5128 in 1980, starting at the double star HJ 4587 = 9.4/9.5 at 5".  I didn't see the see the GC initially at 610x, but bumping the power up to 813x it was identified with certainty about 30" SE of three brighter mag 15-16 stars.  The globular (V = 17.2) seemed stellar and was glimpsed several times at the same position.

 

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I didn't take detailed notes with the 24", but the appearance was mesmerizing at 200x.  The equatorial dust lane was more full of contrast and exhibited finer texture and scalloped detail at the edges than I've observed previously in smaller scopes from Australia.

 

20" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 230x, Cen A nearly filled the 15' field.  The 15'x1' dark rift was fascinating with a scalloped, wavy edge and a thin streak was easily visible near the center within the rift.  This was easily the most detailed view I've ever had of Centaurus A.

 

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 186x, Centaurus A appeared very bright with a large, prominent dust lane cutting a dark swath through the center from NW-SE.  The SW hemisphere is a bit larger and more prominent and contains a bright star.  There is a mag 12 star within the dust lane (west of center) with two very faint stars at both the NW and SW borders of the lane.  Some faint haze is superimposed near the center of the dark rift, following the star superimposed on the lane.

 

17.5" (several dates 3/12/88 to 3/24/90): bright, large, very large prominent dust lane oriented NW-SE.  The SW hemisphere is larger and brighter.  A star is superimposed at the south edge of the dust lane (west of center) and a bright star is superimposed on the SW hemisphere (south of center).

 

13.1" (4/24/82): wide dust lane bisects galaxy with the southwest hemisphere dominating in terms of size and brightness.  A very faint star is at the southwest edge of the dust lane.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5128 = D 482 = h3501 on 29 Apr 1826, his second night recording deep sky objects -- NGC 4945 was discovered just 20 minutes earlier!  Based on 6 observations, his summary description reads, "A very singular double nebula, about 2.5' long and 1' broad, a little unequal: there is a pretty bright small star in the south extremity of the southernmost of the two, resembling a bright nucleus: the northern and rather smaller nebula is faint in the middle, and has the appearance of a condensation of the nebulous matter near each extremity.  These two nebulae are completely distinct from each other, and no connection of the nebulous matters between them.  There is a very minute star in the dark space between the preceding extremities of the nebula; they are extended in the parallel of the equator nearly."  His sketch (Figure 20) shows two parallel bands with a star between at one end.

 

John Herschel made several observations: on 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454) he logged "A most wonderful object; a nebula vB; vL; lE; very gradually much brighter middle; of an elliptic figure, cut away in the middle by a perfectly definite straight cut 40" broad; pos = 120.3 ; dimensions of the nebula 5' by 4'. The internal edges have a gleaming light like the moonlight touching the outline in a transparency." On his next sweep he describing "[Two nebulae, or two portions of one separated by a division or cut.] The cut is broad and sharp. The two nebulae are very nearly alike. Perhaps the slit is larger towards the N.p. end, where there is a star between them. There is certainly a very feeble trace of nebula, an island as it were, running from this star between the sides of the slit."  He included a small sketch in a letter written a few days later to his Aunt Caroline (see plate IV, figure 2).

 

Pietro Baracchi made a detailed observation on 9 Apr 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  He wrote in part "...two very elongated streaks running near one another with their inner edges parallel leaving a channel between them quite dark, about 9' long 50" broad.  A very very narrow streak like or string seems to emanate rom a star with the channel towards it n.p. end and run along its axis for about 3'.  This narrow streak is very faint.  The channel seems to open into a slightly wider spine bounded by much fainter nebulosity into a form a little elongated, irregularly approaching an elliptical shape.  But this n.p. end of the channel is not quite closed.  It leaves a perfect dark opening in the open n.p. of the object..."

 

In 1918 Heber Curtis mentioned Cen A as "almost certainly belong to the class of edgewise spirals with dark lane" based on descriptions or sketches, though in 1933 simply classified it as "diffuse.  Edwin Hubble, in his 1922 paper "A general study of diffuse galactic nebulae", thought it might be an emission nebula and included it in a table of "Diffuse Nebulae with Emission Spectra", along with M42, the Veil, M8, M16, M17, etc.  The Helwan Observatory description from 1921, based on a 30-inch photo from Knox-Shaw, also states "large patch of structureless and possibly gaseous nebulosity.", though no spectrum was taken. The Shapley-Ames catalogue (1932) classified it as an external nebula and in 1947 Harlow Shapley called it as an irregular galaxy.

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NGC 5129 = UGC 8423 = MCG +02-34-012 = CGCG 072-065 = PGC 46836

13 24 10.0 +13 58 35; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/23/98): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0'x0.8'.  Well-defined core with a stellar nucleus at 280x.  Precedes a coarse pair of mag 10.5 star oriented N-S (closer star is 1.8' E).  Brightest in a group with NGC 5132 7' NE, NGC 5136 18' SE, NGC 5115 17' W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5129 = H. II-653 = h1595 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "pB, vS, mbM, just preceding a pretty considerable star.  John Herschel made three observations and noted "a (coarse) double star follows 7.5 secs."

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NGC 5130 = MCG -02-34-044 = PGC 46866

13 24 27.3 -10 12 36; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 40°

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.5'x0.3'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, bright core and a very low surface brightness halo.  A wide 44" pair of mag 13/14 stars lie 2' SSW.  Located 1 degree NNW of Spica and 27' N of NGC 5122.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5130 = LM 1-198 in 1886 and noted "mag 14.0, 0.2' dia, gradually brighter in the middle."  His very rough position (nearest min of RA) is 20 sec east of MCG -02-34-044 = PGC 46866.

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NGC 5131 = UGC 8422 = MCG +05-32-014 = CGCG 161-043 = PGC 46819

13 23 57.1 +30 59 19; CVn

V = 13.5;  Size 2.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 81°

 

18" (6/21/03): unusual appearance as initially only noticed a very small, bright core ~15" diameter with a stellar nucleus.  But extending ~E-W are very dim, thin extensions increasing the size to 45"x15".  Forms a pair with IC 4239 6.3' ESE.  Extremely faint IC 4238 3.3' S was not seen.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5131 on 24 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single measurement is very accurate and he noted a nearby mag 13 star, which he placed 9.7 sec of time preceding and 1 3/4' north.

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NGC 5132 = UGC 8428 = MCG +02-34-014 = CGCG 072-068 = PGC 46868

13 24 28.9 +14 05 34; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (5/23/98): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', very weak even concentration but no visible core.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 13 stars 2.2' E and 2.5' NNE.  NGC 5137 lies 5.8' ESE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5132 on 8 Apr 1866.  His single position is just off the north side of UGC 8428 = PGC 46868.

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NGC 5133 = MCG -01-34-015 = PGC 46909

13 24 52.9 -04 04 55; Vir

V = 11.6;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (much smaller than listed dimensions).  Nearly even surface brightness except for a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 15' NNE mag 7.1 SAO 139322.  HCG 64 lies 19' NE.  The PGC magnitude (12.6) appears too bright.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5133 = St. 11-19 on 17 Apr 1869.  His rough unpublished position was 7' too far NW.  His published position in list 11 (#19) was reduced on 23 Apr 1881 and is accurate.

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NGC 5134 = ESO 576-052 = MCG -03-34-073 = LGG 345-003 = LGG 344:003 = PGC 46938

13 25 18.5 -21 08 04; Vir

V = 11.3;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 155°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly large oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.3'.  Contains a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The halo has a mottled texture with some stellaring similar to the surface of an unresolved globular.  Brightest in a group (LGG 345) with IC 4237 11' W at the edge of the 220x field.  ESO 576-055 is situated 13' ENE and ESO 576-60 21' ENE.  The IC galaxy appeared as a faint but moderately large glow, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, no central concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5134 = H. II-314 = h1597 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 709) and logged "F, S, bM, irr.  Time uncertain to 5 or 6 sec."  John Herschel made a single observation, noting "F; pL; lE; very gradually brighter middle." and measuring an accurate position.

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NGC 5135 = ESO 444-032 = MCG -05-32-013 = PGC 46974

13 25 44.5 -29 49 59; Hya

V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE, fairly bright stellar nucleus.  The NGC 5150/NGC 5153 pair lies 30' NE.  This is a Seyfert 2 galaxy with an active starburst nucleus.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5135 = h3502 on 8 May 1834 and logged "pB; S; E."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5136 = IC 888: = MCG +02-34-015 = CGCG 072-070 = PGC 46905

13 24 51.4 +13 44 16; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8'

 

17.5" (5/23/98): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration.  Located 18' SE of NGC 5129 in a group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5136 = H. III-84 = h1598 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and noted "eF, vS, stellar.  240 confirmed it."  His position is less than 1' north of CGCG 072-070.

 

Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy on 3 May 1889 and recorded it in his 8th list, #74.  There is nothing at Swift's position but 1.0 min of RA west is NGC 5136.  Dreyer, of course, assumed it was a new object but Harold Corwin suggests IC 888 = NGC 5136.

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NGC 5137 = CGCG 072-071 = PGC 46907

13 24 52.5 +14 04 38; Vir

V = 15.2;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 120°

 

18" (6/12/10): at 300x, required extended viewing to repeatedly glimpse a 15", very low surface brightness glow.  Visible ~20% of the time.  Located 5.8' ESE of NGC 5132 and 12' NE of NGC 5129.

 

17.5" (5/23/98): not found, though there was heavy dew affecting the observation.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5137 = Sw. 6-57 on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; pL; ee diff; [NGC 5132] preceding; [NGC 5129] south-preceding."  His position is 17 sec of RA east of CGCG 072-071 and the description fits.

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NGC 5138 = ESO 132-007 = Cr 270

13 27 15 -59 02 30; Cen

V = 7.6;  Size 8'

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, roughly 100 stars are visible in a 12' region, though the group is not detached well enough at this power to recognize as a cluster.  At 76x (27 Panoptic), barely stands out as a distinct group as it resides in a very rich star field. Includes over two dozen mag stars roughly 11th magnitude. Two mag 8.5/9.5 stars (HD 116721 and 116689) to the NW by 6' and 9' are collinear with the center of the cluster.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5138 = D 312 = h3503 on 26 May 1826.  He recorded "a pretty large faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular branched figure, resolvable, with considerably compression of the stars towards the central point. This precedes a star of the 7th mag, and a group of small stars follows, about 10' north of the nebula."  His catalogued position was 14' too far S due to a transcription error -- his handwritten notebook position is within 6' (too far NNW).

 

John Herschel tentatively equated h3503 with D 312, due to the apparent discrepancy is position.  He observed the cluster twice; on 3 May 1835 (sweep 582) he recorded "General middle of cluster VIII. class. pB; L; irr; scattered, 30 or 40 stars 11..12 mag and many smaller; pretty well insulated, though on a ground rich in very small stars." On 7 Jun 1837 (sweep 790) he called it a "Cluster VII class; rather a fine cluster; rich, but loose and straggling. Fills field. Stars 11 and 12th mag."

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NGC 5139 = ESO 270-011 = Omega Centauri

13 26 45.8 -47 28 36; Cen

V = 3.7;  Size 36.3';  Surf Br = 0.4

 

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x in excellent seeing, the view was absolutely stunning as the field was packed with thousands of pinpoint stars to the edge of the 30' field!  I noted the circular ring of stars near the center mentioned previously, but the large number of brighter, densely packed stars in the core and halo, superimposed on an incredibly rich mat of fainter stars was the real show.  The cluster is only broadly concentrated with very large, brighter core ~10' in diameter and the star density thins out very slowly all the way to 35' diameter.

 

20" (7/08/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 208x with a 24' field, the cluster overfilled the field with edge to edge stars mag 11.5 and fainter and was a breathtaking sight.  Broadly concentrated with large, brighter core of at least 10' in diameter.  The core is extremely densely packed with layers of stars.  The elongated halo gradually thins but has no definite border out to 30'!  This is the largest and brightest globular in the sky (V = 3.7) and an obvious naked-eye blur, but lacks the strong central condensation of NGC 104 = 47 Tucana.

 

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): although I've mentioned this feature on previous observations I was surprised to be drawn to a 1' circular ring of stars just north of the geometric center which is mainly filled with unresolved glow and appears like a darker "hole" near the center.  A second smaller and less distinct 30" ring of stars and darker center is adjacent to the south with the two rings externally tangent in the middle.

 

After the observation I checked John Herschel's description and found these comments on the star rings in the center: "One of these rings, 1.5' in diameter, is so marked as to give the appearance of a comparative darkness like a hole in the centre.  My attendant (J.S.) called up, who saw the hole and darkness, and described it as I have done above. On further attention the hole is double, or an oval space crossed by a bridge of stars. Position of axis = 150."

 

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x in excellent seeing, the view was absolutely breathtaking with wall-to-wall pinpoint stars in the 37' field!  There was a clear 3-dimensional effect with the 11.5-12.5 magnitude stars seemingly floating over a dense mat of fainter stars with the streamers in the halo reaching the edges of the field. I don't recall a more impressive view in the 12" from Australia, where the cluster was higher in the sky.

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): In very good seeing early in the morning of the 20th, Omega Cen was a mesmerizing sea of a couple of thousand stars at 200x.  I set Omega just outside the field and let it drift through the field a few times.  The outer halo was an amazingly dense swarm of 12-13th magnitude stars over a background of fainter pinpoints of lights spilling over the edge of the field.  Very broadly concentrated to a large, brighter center although there is no well-defined core.

 

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this was the first object I viewed at Bargo with Les Dalrymple's 12" and I was not disappointed.  At 140x, it filled 2/3 of the field (over 25') and resolved into perhaps a few thousand stars down to the center.  The cluster seemed almost 3-dimensional with a lattice of brighter mag 12 stars superimposed on a dense background layer of mag 13-14 stars.  The density was generally uniformly high in the elongated halo except near the edge although the core shows more non-uniformity with a couple of darker patches.

 

17.5" (3/12/88): very large, very bright, fantastic at 220x with several hundred stars resolved in excellent seeing from east of Mt. Hamilton.  Very faintly visible to the naked eye in good conditions near the horizon from northern California. 

 

13.1" (3/24/84): large, mottled disc covered with faint stars, well resolved outer halo.  Similar view but even better resolution on 2/23/85.

 

8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very bright, very large, very broadly concentrated, about 25' diameter, over 100 stars resolved mag 12-13, many in curving streams over the entire disc.  Visible naked-eye.

 

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): very prominent naked-eye as Omega Centauri culminated within 5° of the zenith from this southern location.  Huge in 10x30mm, though no resolution.

 

Ptolemy included Omega Centauri = NGC 5139 = Lac I-5 = D 440 = h3504 as a star in the Almagest (150 AD) and Johann Bayer catalogued it as a 4th magnitude star (Omega) in the early 17th century.  Edmond Halley made the first telescopic observation in 1676-77 from the island of St. Helena.  He included it in a short list of a half-dozen "luminous spots or patches" found while cataloguing southern stars.  From the Cape of Good Hope, Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille reported "Naked eye, a 3rd mag star [10 Cen] in a fog. Telescope, [Half-an-inch aperture, 8x magnification] like a big diffuse comet."

 

James Dunlop first resolved the cluster on 7 May 1826 with his 9-inch speculum reflector.  His summary description (based on 8 observations) reads, "a beautiful large bright round nebula, about 10' or 12' diameter, easily resolvable to the very centre; it is a beautiful globe of stars very gradually and moderately compressed to the centre; the stars are rather scattered preceding and following, and the greatest condensation is rather north of the centre: the stars are of slightly mixed mags, of a white colour. This is the largest bright nebula in the southern hemisphere."

 

John Herschel first observed Omega Centauri on 26 Feb 1834, a few days after setting up his 20-foot telescope in South Africa.  He wrote in his diary, "a most superb object - entirely resolved into stars of 13...14m.  All very nearly of the same size & most beautfilly graduating in respect of central condensation."

 

In a detailed observation on 20 Apr 1836, he recorded "Globular; Omega Centauri; diameter full 20'. It much more than fills the field. When the centre is on the edge of the field, the outer stars extend fully half a radius beyond the middle of it. The stars are singularly equal, and distributed with the most exact equality, the condensation being that of a sphere equally filled. - Looking attentively, I retract what is said about the equal scattering and equal sizes of the stars. There are two sizes 12th mag and 13th mag, without greater or less, and the larger stars form rings like lace-work on it. One of these rings, 1.5' in diameter, is so marked as to give the appearance of a comparative darkness like a hole in the centre. There must be thousands of stars. To the naked eye it appears as a star of 5th mag or 5.4, rather hazy. There is a * 9m on the S.p. border of it, about 4' or 5' south of centre, and several 8th mag are scattered far away.  My attendant (John Stone) called up, who saw the hole and darkness, and described it as I have done above.  On further attention the hole is double, or an oval space crossed by a bridge of stars.  Position of axis = 150°.  Altogether this object is truly astonishing."  The position in John Herschel's General Catalogue, as well as the NGC, is 10' too far north.

 

Lewis Swift was quite impressed with the cluster when he arrived at Echo Mountain in southern California in 1896.  He wrote, "The grandest of all visible clusters, Omega Centauri, given by Bayer, is plainly visible at a good elevation.  In comparison with this, 13 Messier in Herculis, is a tame affair...It is visible to the naked eye as a faint circular object. As I see it about 20' in diameter and as round as the sun.  In that small space there are many thousand stars from the 13th to the 15th magnitude, suns every one, no doubt doing the same service as our Sun, warming, lighting, guiding and fertilizing a system of planets where people no doubt are dwelling the same  as here."

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NGC 5140 = ESO 382-065 = MCG -05-32-016 = LGG 353-002 = PGC 47031

13 26 21.7 -33 52 07; Cen

V = 11.8;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 33°

 

18" (6/4/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration to center.  A mag 13.5 star is close off the east edge.  Located 8.5' N of mag 7.0 HD 116788.  Outlying member of AGC 3565 and LGG 353 (part of the Centaurus-Hydra supercluster).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5140 = h3505 on 1 May 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12"."  His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 382-065.  The RA in the RC2 and Sky Catalogue 2000 is 1 min too large.

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NGC 5141 = UGC 8433 = MCG +06-30-004 = CGCG 189-065 = CGCG 190-006 = WBL 445-001 = PGC 46906

13 24 51.7 +36 22 42; CVn

V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 80°

 

48" (5/9/21): at 375x; bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 E-W, nearly 1' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core and stellar nucleus, much fainter outer halo.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.3' W.  In a trio with NGC 5142 and NGC 5143 to the NE.

 

18" (6/4/05): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.6'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1.2' W.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 5142 2.3' NE and a trio with extremely faint NGC 5143.

 

18" (7/22/03): fairly faint, small, round, strong concentration with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  The core is surrounded by a low surface brightness halo ~0.8' diameter.  A mag 13 star lies 1.4' WSW.  First of trio with NGC 5142 2.3' NE and NGC 5143 4' NNE.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, small, small bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated E-W.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' WSW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5142 2.3' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5141 = H. III-402 = h1599, along with NGC 5142, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "Two, vF.  The time is that of the preceding [NGC 5141]; the second about 3' nf, both cS."  John Herschel made two observations, reporting on sweep 331 "pF; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a star.  Has a * 12m preceding.  The sp of 2 nebulae [with NGC 5142]."

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NGC 5142 = UGC 8435 = MCG +06-30-006 = CGCG 189-066 = CGCG 190-007 = Mrk 452 = WBL 445-002 = PGC 46919

13 25 01.3 +36 23 58; CVn

V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

 

48" (5/9/21): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 45" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core and stellar nucleus.  Slightly fainter and smaller than NGC 5141 2.3' SE.  NGC 5143 is a similar distance to the N.

 

18" (6/4/05): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.5'x0.4'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 5142 2.3' SW with NGC 5143 2.3' N.

 

18" (7/22/03): fairly faint, small but fairly high surface brightness with a bright stellar nucleus and a slightly elongated faint halo N-S, 0.5'x0.4'.  Forms a fairly similar pair with NGC 5141 2.3' SW and difficult NGC 5143 is just 2.3' N.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, small bright core, stellar nucleus, elongated ~N-S.  Forms a pair with NGC 5141 2.3' SW.  NGC 5143 2.3' N was not seen.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5142 = H. III-403 = h1600, along with NGC 5141, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  John Herschel made two observations and recorded on sweep 331 "pF; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a star."

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NGC 5143 = MCG +06-30-005 = CGCG 189-067 = CGCG 190-008 = WBL 445-003 = PGC 46918

13 25 01.3 +36 26 14; CVn

V = 15.9;  Size 0.5'x0.25';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 95°

 

48" (5/9/21): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 or 2:1 E-W, slightly brighter core, 0.4'x0.2'.  This galaxy is quite faint for an NGC.  Situated 2.3' due N of NGC 5142 in a group.

 

18" (6/4/05): extremely faint, very small, very low surface brightness, 0.2' diameter.  Required averted vision and concentration.  Located 2.3' N of NGC 5142 and faintest in a trio with NGC 5141.

 

18" (7/22/03): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Located 2.3' N of NGC 5142 in a small trio with NGC 5141.  Required averted vision and only visible for moments (repeatedly glimpsed and verified by sketch).

 

17.5" (4/28/89): not seen in thin clouds.

 

R.J. Mitchell and George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistants, discovered NGC 5143 on 17 Apr 1855.  They noted "a third vF neb [with NGC 5142 and 5143], nearly north of the following one [NGC 5142]."  A sketch clearly matches this trio of galaxies, although offsets were not measured.

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NGC 5144 = UGC 8420 = MCG +12-13-005 = CGCG 336-008 = Mrk 256 = VII Zw 511 = PGC 46742

13 22 54.2 +70 30 52; UMi

V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 150°

 

24" (6/4/16): at 375x; moderately bright, irregularly round, fairly small, 0.7'x0.6', mottled or uneven surface brightness but no distinct core.  Situated at the midpoint of a mag 11.8 star 1.9' NNW and a mag 13.7 2.0' SSW.

 

NGC 5144 apparently has a merged companion at the south edge, identified as NGC 5144 NED01 = Mrk 256b = LEDA 200298.  It appeared as a quasi-stellar knot (less than 6" diameter) at the south edge of the halo, just 18" from the center of the main galaxy!

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly faint, slightly elongated, fairly small, 0.8'x0.7'.  Broad, weak concentration.  Five or six mag 11.5-12 stars are in the field with the closest 1.9' N. Located 25' NW of mag 7.4 SAO 7817.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5144 = H. IV-70 on 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005). He recorded "pretty bright, round, almost equally bright throughout, resembling a very ill defined planetary nebula, about 0.5' diameter."  A second observation was made on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037). Classified by Herschel in category IV (planetary nebula).

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NGC 5145 = UGC 8439 = MCG +07-28-009 = CGCG 218-010 = PGC 46934

13 25 13.9 +43 16 02; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.0'x0.7', broad concentration to a brighter core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5145 = H. II-667 = h1602 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, vS, bM, lE."  John Herschel made a single observation and his position is on the south side of the halo.

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NGC 5146 = MCG -02-34-049 = Holm 516a = PGC 47055

13 26 37.4 -12 19 26; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 35°

 

18" (5/29/05): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, 25" core and much fainter extensions.  Bracketed by two mag 14.5/15 stars to the north and south.  There is a faint galaxy as well as a faint star close north of the galaxy, but I assume I picked up the star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5146 = H. III-115 on 9 May 1784 (sweep 210).  He logged it as "very faint, very small, stellar (nebula).  240x confirmed it with much difficulty." Caroline's reduction is 9 sec of time preceding PGC 47055.  d'Arrest measured a single accurate position.

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NGC 5147 = UGC 8443 = MCG +00-34-033 = CGCG 016-069 = PGC 47027

13 26 19.7 +02 06 02; Vir

V = 11.8;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (6/3/00): moderately bright and large, round, 2' diameter.  Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is superimposed very close to the geometric center, masquerading as a bright stellar nucleus.  The halo is only weakly concentrated but is irregular in surface brightness with a strong hint of structure.  A very faint star or knot is on the SW side and the NE edge of the halo has a hint of spiral structure.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5147 = H. II-25 = h1601 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 124) and noted "small, obscure; it seems to be resolvable."  His position was poor - 30 seconds of RA too large and 2.5' too far south.  He made a second observation on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and made a more accurate description: "pretty bright, considerably large, much brighter middle, nearly round." His second position was accurate. John Herschel called NGC 5147 "bright" on 9 Apr 1828 (sweep 142) but a few nights later he logged it as "faint".

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NGC 5148 = MCG +01-34-021 = CGCG 044-086 = PGC 47060

13 26 38.7 +02 18 50; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.7

 

18" (5/29/05): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 30" SW of a mag 14.5 star.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5148 = m 257 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "eF, S."  His position matches CGCG 044-086 = PGC 47060.

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NGC 5149 = UGC 8444 = MCG +06-30-010 = CGCG 190-010 = PGC 47011

13 26 09.2 +35 56 03; CVn

V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 155°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Contains a brighter core with fainter extensions that seem slightly offset from the central region.  A mag 14.5-15 star is superimposed on the north edge [51" from center].  A mag 11 star lies 4' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5154 6' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5149 = H. III-404 = h1604, along with NGC 5154, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "two, the time is that of the preceding; the second about 5 or 6' nf, both pS."  John Herschel made two observations and noted (sweep 72) "pB; bM; the sp of 2."

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NGC 5150 = ESO 444-043 = MCG -05-32-023 = PGC 47169

13 27 36.5 -29 33 44; Hya

V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 115°

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x and 610x; very bright, fairly large, strong concentration with a very bright core, slightly elongated NW-SE, at least 1' diameter, star superimposed on the south side.  A mag 9.9 star is 2' ENE.  LEDA 2799975, a faint thin edge-on, is 4' ENE.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly faint, small, bright core.  Located 2' WSW of mag 9.1 SAO 181670.  In a trio with the NGC 5152/NGC 5153 interacting pair 5' SE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5150 = h3507 on 5 May 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15"."  Three nights later he logged "pF; S; R; bM; has a * 2' following; pos by diag = 67°."

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NGC 5151 = MCG +03-34-032 = CGCG 101-048 = PGC 47056

13 26 40.8 +16 52 27; Com

V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 5' S of mag 7.8 SAO 100566.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5151 = h1603 on 8 May 1826 and recorded "eF; S; R; has a B * [HD 116941] nf."

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NGC 5152 = ESO 444-044 = MCG -05-32-024 = AM 1325-292A = PGC 47187 = Fly's Wing Galaxy

13 27 50.7 -29 37 02; Hya

V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 117°

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x; fairly bright, dominated by a very bright small core with faint extensions oriented NW-SE in a 5:2 or 3:1 ratio. The bent "wing" in the spiral arm on the west end was not seen in poor seeing.  A mag 13.5 star is just 0.3' N of the nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5153 0.7' E.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): appears as stellar galaxy 0.9' W of NGC 5153 and 5' SE of NGC 5150.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5152 = h3508 on 5 May 1834 and recorded "The preceding of a double nebulae; the individuals are = ; R; vF; S; pretty suddenly little brighter middle."

 

The pair was nicknamed the "Fly's Wing" in the 1982 "Catalogue of the Universe" by Murdin and Allen.  Bill Keel also called it the "Flywing" in "The real astrophysical zoo - Colliding galaxies" (April '93 Mercury magazine).  Still, a Google search doesn't find any hits for this nickname.

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NGC 5153 = ESO 444-045 = MCG -05-32-025 = AM 1325-292B = PGC 47194 = Fly's Wing Galaxy

13 27 54.2 -29 37 02; Hya

V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 175°

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x and 610x; bright, fairly large, round, 1.5' diameter, very strong concentration, small intense core.  In a trio with NGC 5152 just 0.7' W (between centers) and NGC 5150 5' NW.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): very faint, small, round.  Forms very close pair with NGC 5152 0.9' W and NGC 5150 is 5.2' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5153 = h3509 on 5 May 1834 and recorded "pF; S; the following of two equal neb [with NGC 5152]."

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NGC 5154 = UGC 8447 = MCG +06-30-011 = CGCG 190-011 = PGC 47041

13 26 28.6 +36 00 36; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.2

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, fairly small, round.  Appears as a low surface brightness glow ~45" in diameter with very weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 5149 5' SW.  A mag 11 star lies 3.7' ENE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5154 = H. III-405 = h1605, along with NGC 5149, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  John Herschel made two observations and recorded (sweep 331) "eF; L; R; it is 45° nf III. 404 [NGC 5149]."

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NGC 5155 = ESO 096-013

13 27 45 -63 23 00; Cen

Size 60'

 

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x and 139x): Superb Milky Way field, the richest region is roughly 20-25' in diameter and stands out reasonably well in the lowest power (64' field). Though amazingly rich in faint stars, it appears as a Milky Way star cloud, and not a cluster.  An elongated N-S dark dust cloud (5'x3') to the southeast is prominent (SIMBAD designation [DB2002b] G307.15-1.01).  An 8' string of five mag 8.5-11 stars is off the south side and open cluster NGC 5120 is at the southwest edge.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5155 = h3506 on 16 Jun 1835 and recorded "A portion of the milky way broken up into clustering masses of astonishing richness.  There must be at least 200 or 300 stars in the field, none greater than 10m."  This Milky Way field or scattered cluster (ESO 096-013) is classified as "NOCL?" in RNGC.

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NGC 5156 = ESO 220-013 = LGG 342-006 = PGC 47283

13 28 44.1 -48 55 01; Cen

V = 11.7;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, oval 4:3 WNW-ESE, broad concentration.  A faint star is superimposed and another faint star is at the SE edge. Located 3.8' NNE of mag 7.7 HD 117036.  Starhopped from Omega Centauri just 1.3° to the NW!  In a group of galaxies (including NGC 5064 and ESO 269-057) with similar redshifts mostly close west of Omega Centauri.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5156 = h3510 on 31 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; lE; gradually little brighter middle; has a * 8m 5' dist; pos sp."

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NGC 5157 = UGC 8455 = MCG +05-32-021 = CGCG 161-056 = PGC 47131

13 27 16.8 +32 01 51; CVn

V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.2'x1.0'.  Broad, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  NGC 5166 is 12' following.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5157 = H. III-651 = h1606 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made three observations and logged (sweep 337) "Not vF; pL; E; the following of 2 [with NGC 5166], very similar."  His mean position matches UGC 8455.

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NGC 5158 = UGC 8459 = MCG +03-34-038 = CGCG 101-054 = PGC 47180

13 27 47.0 +17 46 44; Com

V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, small, round, almost even surface brightness, very small slightly brighter core.  Located 11' SW of mag 8.9 SAO 100581.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5158 = h1607 on 7 May 1826 and noted "vF; R."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5159 = UGC 8460 = MCG +01-34-022 = CGCG 044-088 = PGC 47235

13 28 16.1 +02 58 58; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 162°

 

18" (5/29/05): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE.  Not noticed initially but then caught the slightly brighter core.  When drifting across the field very faint, low surface brightness extensions could be glimpsed increasing the size to nearly 1.0'x0.4'.  Located 47' NE of NGC 5148, another dim galaxy.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5159 = m 258 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "eF, S, lE."

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NGC 5160

13 28 21.6 +05 59 49; Vir

 

= **, Reinmuth.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5160 on 7 Feb 1862.  At his position is an uncatalogued double star (mag 14/14.5 at roughly 11" separation).  He noted a mag 12 star follows by 28 sec and 1' north, which confirms this identification.  He looked for this object again on 19 Feb 1863, but couldn't find anything.  In Wilhelm Tempel's 8th paper (AN 2527), he reported finding a very faint double star at d'Arrest's position with a third star close preceding, but on two occasions it looked like a nebula.  Based on a Heidelberg plate, Karl Reinmuth also reported "vF**, no neb, no * close np."

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NGC 5161 = ESO 383-004 = MCG -05-32-031 = UGCA 359 = PGC 47321

13 29 13.9 -33 10 26; Cen

V = 11.2;  Size 5.6'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 80°

 

18" (5/29/05): large, oval WSW-ENE, ~4'x2'.  Broad concentration with a large, ill-defined core that seems offset to the east side (or the outer halo is irregular lit).  A mag 10.3 star lies 3.9' W of center and a mag 11.5 star is off the NE flank.  This photogenic spiral (thin arms with knots and HII regions) was host to a pair of recent supernovae – 1998E and 1974B.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5161 = h3511 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "pF; L; pmE; very gradually brighter middle; r; 4' l; 2' br; with left eye feebly stippled."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5162 = NGC 5174 = UGC 8475 = MCG +02-34-018 = CGCG 072-087 = PGC 47346

13 29 25.9 +11 00 28; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 3.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 160°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5174.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5162 = Sw. 6-58 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "F, pL, eE [not lE as in the NGC]; an eeF * at each focus of ellipse; B * in field sp; F * nr nf."  His position is 1 min of RA west of NGC 5174 and his description is a perfect match with this galaxy.  William Herschel discovered NGC 5174 on 15 Mar 1784 and catalogued it as H. III-45 (later NGC 5174).

 

RNGC and RC3 misidentify UGC 8472 as NGC 5162.  This galaxy is 1 min of RA east and 15' north of Swift's position.

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NGC 5163 = UGC 8453 = MCG +09-22-062 = CGCG 271-040 = PGC 47096

13 26 54.2 +52 45 13; UMa

V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright 10" core.  Located 10' W of mag 6.3 SAO 28763 at the edge of the field and 2 degrees SSE of Mizar!  NGC 5201 lies 29' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5163 = H. III-821 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "cF, stellar neb."  Caroline's reduced position is 21 sec of RA east and 2' north of UGC 8453.  Not seen by Bigourdan.

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NGC 5164 = UGC 8458 = MCG +09-22-063 = CGCG 272-041 = Mrk 257 = PGC 47124

13 27 11.9 +55 29 15; UMa

V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', broad concentration to a brighter middle.  At times the core appears irregular -- either a stellar core or a superimposed star was glimpsed. [Based on the DSS image, it's clear I viewed the stellar nucleus].  Located 44' NE of Mizar!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5164 = H. III-784 = h1609 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "cF, S, iR." His position is within 2' of UGC 8458 (within usual errors).

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NGC 5165 = MCG +02-34-016 = CGCG 072-078 = PGC 47281

13 28 39.1 +11 23 13; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 8.3' SW of mag 8.7 SAO 100590.  NGC 5162 is in the field 10.8' SE.  The NGC 5171 group lies 25' NNE.

 

Sherburne Burnham discovered NGC 5165 = T. 8-1 on 5 May 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory while searching for d'Arrest's comet.  George Hough included it in a list of new nebulae found at the observatory and called it "very fant, condensed at center.  *8m follows 29 seconds and 5' north."  The star is Bu 113, a mag 8.7/10.7 pair at 1.7".  Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy just 6 days later on 11 May 1883, also searching for the comet, and reported it in his 8th discovery paper.

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NGC 5166 = UGC 8463 = MCG +05-32-026 = CGCG 161-062 = Holm 519a = WBL 446-003 = PGC 47234

13 28 15.1 +32 01 56; CVn

V = 13.5;  Size 2.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 67°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): pretty edge-on 5:1 oriented WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.3', little or no concentration.  Precedes mag 8.5 SAO 63561 by 9'.  NGC 5157 is 12' due west.  NGC 5166B = MCG +05-32-027 is 4.5' NE and CGCG 161-060 is 5' SSW.  NGC 5166B was logged as "extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter" and CGCG 161-060 as "extremely faint and small, round, 12" diameter.  Located 1.5' NE of a mag 13 star."

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5166 = h1608 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "pF; R; bM; 30"."  His mean position from 3 observations matches UGC 8463.

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NGC 5167 = MCG +02-34-017 = CGCG 072-080 = PGC 47277

13 28 40.2 +12 41 41; Vir

V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak concentration.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 13/14 stars 2' SSW and 2' SE.  Located 13' E of a mag 8.2 star.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5167 on 7 Jun 1883.  He described it in his 7th discovery paper as follows: "I found a new nebula on 7 June and observed it again on the 8th. The nebula follows close on the parallel by 54s to DM + 13 ° 2669 [HD 117079], class III; south of it is a * 12."

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NGC 5168 = Cr 273 = ESO 132-010

13 31 07 -60 56 24; Cen

V = 9.1;  Size 4'

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): gorgeous low power Milky Way field at 76x, but it was difficult to identify the cluster not having a finder chart.  Initially I was drawn to a striking asterism in the field consisting of a distinctive group of four stars forming a rough 8'x3' parallelogram with brightest member mag 7.8 HD 117356, but the enclosed stars were no richer than the surrounding field and it looked like an asterism.  Then I noticed that 12' S of the mag 7.8 star was an eye-catching double star = HJ 4591 (10.2/10.4) at 7" surrounded by a few faint stars over unresolved haze.  Increasing the magnification to 228x, this rich knot resolved into three dozen mag 14 and fainter stars in a 2'x1.5' roundish cluster with the double star on the following side and this was clearly NGC 5138.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5168 = h3512 on 16 Jun 1835 and recorded "A small but very rich milky way cluster; 3.5' l, 3' br; st 13...16m.  Place that of a double star [HJ 4591]."  On a later sweep he added "place of a double star in centre of a rich, much comp but vF cluster; gradually brighter in the middle; 4' diam; st 15m; a remarkable object."

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NGC 5169 = UGC 8465 = MCG +08-25-004 = CGCG 246-002 = PGC 47231

13 28 10.1 +46 40 19; CVn

V = 13.5;  Size 2.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 103°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, elongated 5:2 ESE-WNW, 1.6'x0.6', weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 5173 5.5' SE.  Located 36' SSW of M51 and 21' W of NGC 5198.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5169 = h1611 on 26 Apr 1830 and logged "vF; R; 50"."  He equated this object with H. III-672, but his father's number applies to brighter NGC 5173.

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NGC 5170 = ESO 576-065 = MCG -03-34-084 = UGCA 360 = FGC 1626 = PGC 47396

13 29 48.7 -17 57 57; Vir

V = 11.1;  Size 8.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 127°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint but large, very thin edge-on NW-SE.  On first glance appeared 4'-5' in length at 220x but with averted vision this impressive ray extends to at least 6'x0.7'.  Contains a moderately bright and slightly bulging oval core 1.2'x0.7' giving the galaxy a classic thin "lens" appearance.  The extensions are significantly fainter and taper and dim towards the tips.  This galaxy has a narrow dust lane (not seen) similar to NGC 4565.  A mag 9.5 star lies 9' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5170 = H. V-22 = h1610 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 369).  He described it as "much elongated from south following to north preceding; 5 or 6' long, the following part is the brightest." A second observation on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) reads "pretty bright, much elongated, the preceding part much brighter than the south following, about 4' long."  NGC 5170 is one of the flattest edge-on galaxies that Herschel discovered.

 

John Herschel made two observations including 11 May 1831 (sweep 354): "F; vmE in pos 128.8° by micrometer; pretty gradually brighter middle; 180" l, 30" br."

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NGC 5171 = UGC 8476 = MCG +02-34-020 = CGCG 072-089 = WBL 447-004 = PGC 47339

13 29 21.6 +11 44 07; Vir

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, round, very small brighter core, faint 40" halo.  A faint star is superimposed NW of the core.  Forms the NE vertex of a right triangle with two mag 9 stars are 5.3' WSW and 6.8' SW.  Brightest of five in a tight group (MKW 11) with NGC 5176 2.9' N, NGC 5177 3.8' N, NGC 5179 2.4' ENE and NGC 5178 7' SSE.

 

George Hough discovered NGC 5171 = T. 8-2 on 5 May 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. While searching for d'Arrest's comet he recorded "Double. Nebula, round, condensed."  The second object actually refers to a star at the northwest edge.  Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 5171 just 6 days later and reported it in his 8th discovery paper (#2).  Ernst Hartwig found it again on 29 Jun 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory (AN 2688).  These three independent discoveries were made while searching for d'Arrest's comet.  While searching for the comet, Hartwig also discovered the close pair NGC 5176 and 5177.

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NGC 5172 = UGC 8477 = MCG +03-34-041 = CGCG 101-057 = PGC 47330

13 29 19.2 +17 03 07; Com

V = 11.9;  Size 3.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 103°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 2.4'x1.2', brighter middle, gradually increases to small brighter core, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the north side of the core 44" from center.  Located 11' NW of mag 7.4 SAO 100597.  NGC 5180 lies 14' SSE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5172 = h1613 on 7 May 1826 and logged "F; R: S; 15"."  His mean position (two observations) is accurate.

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NGC 5173 = UGC 8468 = MCG +08-25-005 = CGCG 246-003 = PGC 47257

13 28 25.3 +46 35 29; CVn

V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (5/19/01): moderately bright, round, 1.2' diameter, even moderate concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Situated at the midpoint of the shorter base of a isosceles trapezoid consisting of four mag 13 stars.  Forms a pair with NGC 5169 5.5' NW.  Located 39' SSW of M51 and 19' WSW of NGC 5198.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5173 = H. III-672 = h1614 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar, 300 verified it."  John Herschel made two observations under h1614 and called it (sweep 255) "pF; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle; almost stellar."  But he assumed it was a new discovery, confusing this object with NGC 5169 = h1611, which is did discover!

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NGC 5174 = NGC 5175 = NGC 5162 = UGC 8475 = MCG +02-34-018 = CGCG 072-087 = PGC 47346

13 29 25.9 +11 00 28; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 3.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.5'x1.0', broad concentration to a brighter core.  A mag 14 star [NGC 5175] is superimposed on the south end 45" from the center.  A mag 12 star is 2.3' NNE.  Brightest in a group of NGC galaxies with most members about 30' N.  Located 11' NNE of 71 Virginis (V = 5.7).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5174 = H. III-45/46 = h1612 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and logged "Two, very faint.  I took them at first for only one, but 240x showed two extremely faint nebula as it were running into each other and of considerable extent; 157x showed also a division between their center after I had seen them with 240x. They follow 71 Virginis within the minute...and they are 12' more north."  There is only a single galaxy here and NGC 5175 is very likely the involved star at the south end of the galaxy.

 

On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), John Herschel described the galaxy as "extremely faint, elongated, involves a star at the S end."  But on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242) he also described a double system: "vF; two close together, or one elonagted nearly in meridian [north-south].  A star 11m N."  Dreyer's took a look with the 72" at Birr Castle on 4 Apr 1877 and "found only one neb, vF, vS, stellar no other neb found."

 

Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 19 Mar 1887 and recorded it in list VI-58, but his position was 1 tmin too far west.  Dreyer, assuming it was new, catalogued it as NGC 5162.  So, NGC 5174 = NGC 5162.

 

RNGC misidentifies UGC 8468 as NGC 5175.  CGCG misidentifies CGCG 072-087 as both NGC 5174/5175.  For more on the story, see Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5175

13 29 26.2 +10 59 42; Vir

 

17.5" (5/27/95): A mag 14 star is superimposed on the south end of NGC 5174, just 45" from the center.  This is possibly NGC 5175.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5175 = H. III-46 = h1612 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and logged "Two, very faint.  I took them at first for only one, but 240x showed two eF nebula as it were running into each other and of considerable extent; 157x showed also a division between their center after I had seen them with 240x."  There is only a single galaxy here and NGC 5175 is most likely the superposed star at the south end of the galaxy.

 

RNGC misidentifies UGC 8468 as NGC 5175.  UGC and MCG identifies the single galaxy as NGC 5174 = NGC 5175 but CGCG calls it double system!

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NGC 5176 = MCG +02-34-021 = CGCG 072-090 = Holm 521a = WBL 447-006 = PGC 47338

13 29 24.9 +11 46 53; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3

 

17.5" (5/27/95): located 2.9' N of NGC 5171 in a compact cluster.  Very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 5177 57" N.

 

Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 5176, along with NGC 5177, on 29 Jun 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory.  He found these while searching for comet d'Arrest (AN 2688). Wilhelm Tempel, who viewed nearby NGC 5171, missed NGC 5176.

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NGC 5177 = MCG +02-34-019 = CGCG 072-091 = Holm 521b = WBL 447-005 = PGC 47337

13 29 24.2 +11 47 49; Vir

V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2', low surface brightness with no concentration.  Located just 57" N of NGC 5176 and 3.8' N of NGC 5171.  Faintest of five in a compact group.

 

Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 5177, along with NGC 5176, on 29 Jun 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory.  He was searching for comet d'Arrest and reported the discovery in AN 2688.  Wilhelm Tempel, who viewed nearby NGC 5171, missed NGC 5177. CGCG failed to label this galaxy as NGC 5177.

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NGC 5178 = UGC 8478 = MCG +02-34-022 = CGCG 072-093 = Holm 522a = WBL 447-008 = PGC 47358

13 29 29.3 +11 37 29; Vir

V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.5' NW.  Located 7' S of NGC 5171 in a small, rich group of five galaxies and 5.5' ESE of mag 8.1 SAO 100591.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5178 = T. 8-3 on 11 May 1883.  His position in the main table is 1' north of UGC 8478, although the declination is marked uncertain as it was estimated from a diagram.  Harold Corwin notes Ernst Hartwig missed this galaxy using the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory (he found NGC 5171, 5176, 5177, 5179, 5186) as well as Sherburne Burnham and Hough with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory (NGC 5171, 5191). Tempel felt he could see nebulae as well with his 11-inch Amici I refractor as with an 18-inch Clark refractor.

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NGC 5179 = MCG +02-34-023 = CGCG 072-094 = WBL 447-007 = PGC 47363

13 29 30.9 +11 44 45; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Second brightest in a tight group of five galaxies with brightest member NGC 5171 2.4' WSW.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5179 = T. 8-4 on 11 May 1883 while searching for comet d'Arrest.  His position matches MCG +02-34-023 = PGC 47363.  Dreyer incorrectly credited Sherburne Burnham at the Dearborn Observatory with the discovery, but he only found NGC 5165 and 5171 (AN 2524).  Ernst Hartwig found NGC 5179 again on 29 Jun 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory, also while searching for comet d'Arrest (AN 2688).

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NGC 5180 = UGC 8479 = MCG +03-34-042 = CGCG 101-058 = PGC 47352

13 29 27.1 +16 49 34; Com

V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is just off the SE edge 20" from center.  Located 6' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 100597.  NGC 5172 lies 14' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5180 = H. III-71 = h1615 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and recorded "three small stars with suspected nebulosity between them.  240 shows the same but it amount not to a confirmation.  10 or 12' north of it is a very bright star."  His position is poor and the bright star is 6' northeast.  John Herschel noted "F; S; R; 15"; has a *7 mag nf, 8' dist." and measured an accurate position.  The Slough Catalogue entry for h1615, equates with H. III-71, instead of II-71 as listed.

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NGC 5181 = MCG +02-34-024 = CGCG 072-097 = PGC 47373

13 29 41.9 +13 18 14; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very small, round, 30" diameter.  No concentration but moderated surface brightness.  Located 4.9' NE of a mag 9.5 star.  A nice close string of four stars lies 6' NNE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5185 8.3' NE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5181 = h1616 on 29 Mar 1830 and recorded "F; S; R; 15"."  His mean position (two observations) is accurate.

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NGC 5182 = ESO 444-062 = MCG -05-32-034 = PGC 47489

13 30 41.1 -28 09 00; Hya

V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 11°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7'.  The halo fades into the background and gradually brightens to a very small brighter core.  Located 11' WSW of mag 6.5 SAO 181723.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5182 = h3513 on 13 May 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; lE; a vL * [HD 117558] follows 12' +/- dist."  First resolved as a "spiral nebula" on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station with a 24-inch refrator around 1900.

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NGC 5183 = UGC 8485 = MCG +00-34-039 = CGCG 016-079 = Holm 523b = PGC 47432

13 30 06.3 -01 43 14; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 122°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, broadly concentrated.  Forms a pair with NGC 5184 3.7' NNE.  Brightest in a group of 7.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5183 = H. II-679 = h1617 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 5184], F, pS, iF."  His positions are ~30 sec of RA too large, and the polar distances are reversed (NGC 5183 is 3' south of NGC 5184).  JH described "F; lE; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; the first of 2." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5184 = UGC 8487 = MCG +00-34-041 = CGCG 016-081 = Holm 523a = PGC 47438

13 30 11.5 -01 39 47; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration.  Larger but lower surface brightness than NGC 5183 3.7' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5184 = H. II-680 = h1618 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 5183], pB, pL, iF."  His positions are ~30 sec of RA too large, and the polar distances are reversed (NGC 5183 is 3' south of NGC 5184).  JH described "F; nearly R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; the second and brighter of 2." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5185 = UGC 8488 = MCG +02-34-025 = CGCG 072-104 = PGC 47422

13 30 02.4 +13 24 57; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 1.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 58°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.6', bright core.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.9' NW.  A nice string of four stars with a 1.5' length begins 2' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5181 8.3' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5185 = H. III-642 = h1619 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and logged "vF, S, iF.  The time a little inaccurate."  His position is 2.2' southeast of UGC 8488.  John Herschel called this galaxy "eF; R; 25"."

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NGC 5186 = CGCG 072-103 = PGC 47426

13 30 03.9 +12 10 31; Vir

V = 15.0;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

 

18" (6/4/05): marginal object, very small, round, 0.3' diameter, very low surface brightness.  Only glimpsed for moments with averted and concentration but confirmed.  Located ~30' NNE of a compact group of 5 NGC galaxies (MKW 11) including NGC 5171.

 

Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 5186 on 29 Jun 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory while searching for comet d'Arrest (AN 2688).  His position matches CGCG 072-103 = PGC 47426.

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NGC 5187 = MCG +05-32-029 = CGCG 161-069 = KUG 1327+313 = PGC 47393

13 29 48.2 +31 07 48; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 46°

 

24" (6/16/20): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, ~40"x30", broad concentration

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.6'x0.5', weak concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' N.  An easy pair of mag 9.5/11.5 stars is 9' WSW. Located 19' E of mag 6.9 SAO 63556.  A trio of UGC galaxies (UGC 8492, 8496 and 8502) lies 13' NE.

 

UGC 8496: faint, fairly small, slightly elongated.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.4' W.

UGC 8492: fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter. Highest surface brightness.

UGC 8502: faint, small, elongated 2:1, 0.6'x0.3'.

 

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5187 = H. III-652 = h1620 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and noted "eF, vS."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5188 = ESO 383-009 = MCG -06-30-007 = PGC 47549

13 31 28.4 -34 47 42; Cen

V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 104°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.8', broad concentration.  A mag 11 star is close off the WNW end [1.9' from center].

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5188 = h3515 on 1 May 1834 and recorded "F; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 45"."  His mean position (2 observations) is accurate.

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NGC 5189 = IC 4274 = PK 307-3.1 = PN G307.2-03.4 = Gum 47 = Ced 123 = RCW 76 = ESO 096-16 = Spiral Planetary

13 33 32.8 -65 58 27; Mus

V = 9.5;  Size 185"x130"

 

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 5189 was the last of 78 objects that I logged on this date and the perfect end to a great evening with the 24".  At 200x using a UHC this amazing planetary displayed an extremely complex morphology.  Through the center is a bright, high surface brightness "bar" elongated WSW-ENE and ~1.5'x0.4' in size.  This central feature has an uneven surface brightness with a mottled texture. A mag 12 star is superimposed just north of the west-southwest end and the fainter central star is just south of the bar.  A close double star (~3.5") is superimposed just south of the west-southwest end.  At this end a spiral extension hooks around counterclockwise to the north and passes through a faint star and ends at a very faint small knot just north of the superimposed star.  A bright 10" knot is just south of the ENE end of the central "bar".  Attached to this knot is another extension that sweeps towards the southwest, ending less than 1' S of center.  About 50" E of the bright knot is another 10" knot that appears detached.  A mag 12 star is ~50" SW of this knot, just outside the halo of the planetary.  All of the brighter features are within a much fainter oval envelope, ~2.5'x2.0'.  A mag 7.2 star (HD 117694) lies 7' SSE.

 

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the "Spiral Planetary" is certainly one of the most remarkably structured planetaries and would be famous if located in the northern hemisphere.  At 128x using a UHC filter, a high surface brightness "bar" at least 1' in length, elongated SW-NE forms the main body of the planetary.  The bar is slightly curved and has an irregular surface brightness.  On the NE end is a prominent bright knot, roughly 6" in size.  Nebulosity hooks below this knot, extending below the bar.  Above the southwest end of the bar is the brightest superimposed star and a hook of nebulosity sweeps up to the northwest, wrapping above this star.  The entire structure is encased in a much fainter oval envelope.  A total of five stars are superimposed including a very close double that is just south of the southwest end of the bar and the 14th magnitude central star situated southeast of the center of the bar.

 

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this is a bright, strange-looking PN with a complex bar structure dubbed the "Spiral Planetary".  At 140x and UHC filter, it resembles a small barred spiral galaxy with prominent bar extending SW-NE with curved tips, ~1' in length embedded within a fainter, slightly elongated halo of ~2'x1.5'.  A few stars are superimposed.  At 186x, the "bar" is irregular and knotty with a bright knot at one end.  A mag 11 star is at the SW end with a couple of faint stars on the opposite end. The faint 14th magnitude central star is just south of the bar.  Located 6' NNW of mag 7.2 SAO 252366 in a rich star field in the NE corner of Musca.  NGC 5189 was a fascinating sight!

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5189 = D 252 = h3514 on 1 Jul 1826 using his homemade 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector. This is one of three or four southern planetaries that he identified.  He recorded a "very faint nebula, about 25" diameter. It is very near a star of the 8th mag, and near the north following extremity of a crescent of very small stars." His position is off by 15', but the description is adequate to identify.

 

John Herschel recorded "A very strange object.  A nebula of oval fig, but having a central and brighter axis somewhat curved, and terminating in two masses brighter than the rest; diam about 90" or 100".  It involves 3 stars, one of which with 320 is double.  The principal star is 10m, the others eS; a multitude of other stars in field."  Sketched on Plate VI, figure 1.

 

Albert Le Sueur observed and sketched NGC 5189 in 1869 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and called it "A small but beautiful spiral.  The two brighter knots are resolvable; the great greater brighteness of these knots is not particularly shown in Sir John Herschel's sketch, but is mentioned in the observations."  Le Sueur's sketch is figure 69 in the unpublished plate VII and in his 1870 article "On the nebulae of Argo and Orion, and on the spectrum of Jupiter" (Proceedings of the Royal Society of London). Joseph Turner also made an excellent sketch with this telescope in 1874 (figure 68).

 

Williamina Fleming found this object again in 1901 on a Harvard objective prism plate (based on its emission spectrum) taken at the Arequipa station and reported it as new (Fleming 93) in Harvard Circular 60.  Dreyer missed the equivalence in position with NGC 5189 and recatalogued it as IC 4274.  Although Fleming's position was correct, Dreyer made an error transcribing the North Polar Distance as 115°, instead of 155°.  This error was carried over into the "NGC 2000.0" by Roger Sinnott in 1988.  The "Strasbourg-ESO Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae" (Acker, 1992) incorrectly credits Fleming with the discovery in 1901.

 

The classification has also caused much confusion.  A photograph, by Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos in the late 1930s with the 60-inch reflector (mirror from Andrew Ainslie Common) at Harvard's Boyden Station in Bloemfontein, South Africa, shows the remarkable structure . They described NGC 5189 as "... a gaseous nebula of such remarkable knotted structure that it is here best represented by a drawing ...from an original reflector plate."  NGC 5189 was plotted as a bright diffuse nebula in Becvar's Atlas of the Heavens as well as Will Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0 in 1985.  It was also described as a bright nebula by Hartung in his "Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes" (1968) as well as Burnham's Celestial Handbook (1978).  More recent sources have the correct classification.

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NGC 5190 = UGC 8500 = MCG +03-34-043 = CGCG 101-060 = CGCG 102-001 = PGC 47482

13 30 38.7 +18 08 04; Com

V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6'.  A mag 15 star is at the NE edge 28" from center and a 12th magnitude star lies 1.7' SSW.  An easy but striking triple star located 7' E consists of two mag 10 stars at 27" separation N-S and a mag 13 companion 27" E of the northern component.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5190 = h1621 on 23 Mar 1827 and recorded "vF; S; bM; has a considerable triple star following, dist = 8'."

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NGC 5191 = MCG +02-34-026 = CGCG 073-003 = PGC 47498

13 30 47.3 +11 12 02; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  Located in an unusually sparse star field.  A mag 14.5 star lies 3.3' NE.  A 50' string of galaxies from NGC 5174 to NGC 5177 oriented N-S is roughly 25' following.

 

George Hough discovered NGC 5191 on 5 May 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. While searching or d'Arrest's comet he found this "nebula" and described it as "eF, * 9m follows 57s and 39" south."  Wilhelm Tempel provided an accurate offset from an 11th magnitude star due west in the narrative portion of his 8th discovery list.

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NGC 5192 = CGCG 017-001 = PGC 47503

13 30 51.7 -01 46 43; Vir

V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): extremely faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE.  Member of the NGC 5183 group.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5192 = m 259, along with NGC 5196 and 5197, on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF".  CGCG 017-001 = PGC 47503, the galaxy assumed to be NGC 5192 in modern catalogues, is 16 sec of RA west and 2' south of Marth's position.  Perhaps coincidentally, his position is only 1' southwest (similar offset as nearby NGC 5196 and 5197) of VIII Zw 319, a merged triple system.  Could this be the real NGC 5192?

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NGC 5193 = ESO 383-015 = MCG -05-32-037 = AM 1328-325 = PGC 47582

13 31 53.4 -33 14 03; Cen

V = 11.6;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (6/2/00): moderately bright and large, round, 1.2' diameter, fairly sharply concentrated with a small bright core.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.2' N of center.  Located 4.6' W of mag 8.2 SAO 204565.

 

Forms a close pair with a faint edge-on (NGC 5193A) at the west edge [57" between centers].  The companion was extremely faint, very small, elongated, ~0.4'x0.2', required averted to momentarily glimpse.  NGC 5193 and 5193A are members of LGG 353 in the foreground of AGC 3560.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5193 = h3516 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R: first g, then pretty suddenly brighter middle; 45"."  His position is accurate.  Joseph Turner observed this galaxy on 1 May 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and missed the companion (NGC 5193A) just off the southwest edge.

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NGC 5194 = M51a = UGC 8493 = MCG +08-25-012 = CGCG 246-008 = VV 1 = VV 403 = Arp 85 NED1 = Holm 526a = LGG 347-004 = PGC 47404 = Whirlpool Galaxy

13 29 51.8 +47 11 50; CVn

V = 8.4;  Size 11.2'x6.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 163°

 

48" (many dates from 5/12/12 to 5/1/22): during these observations through Lowrey's 48" I focused on some of the stellar clusters and brighter knots in the spiral arms, which have a very high contrast with the large, dusty, darker regions between the arms.  The "southern" arm nearly merges with the core on the northeast side.  Two clusters and a cluster/HII region were seen as faint "stars" very close east and northeast of the core.  [BGG2008] A1 is a mag 17.5 "star" 30" NE of center.  Similar 3cl-b is 30" E of center and [CCM69] #37A, a stellar cluster/HII region is only 10" to its NE. CCM #17, a young massive cluster (V = 17.6), is a faint stellar point 30" further north.

 

As this arm unwinds clockwise to the west, two close very small, fairly bright knots, CCM #77, are visible 1.6' W of center and just SE of a star.  A small bright knot (#71) is further out on this arm, 2.3' SW of center, and #68 is 30" to its SE. The section of the arm between these knots is quite bright and mottled.  The southern arm continues to swing around on the east side and head north with a lower surface brightness bridge to NGC 5195.

 

The "northern" arm begins on the south or southwest side of the core, and a series of small knots (#60/67) are along the inner south side, roughly 1' from center.  As the arm unwinds on the east side of the core, a large bright knot (#52) resides ~1.4' ESE of center.  The arm is quite bright in a large, clumpy region (27/29) as it heads north in the direction of NGC 5195.  At the closest point to NGC 5195 are 4 very small knots; the brightest is #10 (V = 17.1), 2.6' NNE of center.  Very close southwest is #8 and just northwest is #5.  This arm has a sharp bend and shoots west on the north side and includes a moderately large, brighter patch (#90/91) 2' NNW of center. The arm fades somewhat as it unwinds further along the western edge of the halo.

 

48" (4/2/11): during this observation I focused on the attached companion NGC 5195. The entire connecting arm was always a prominent direct vision feature of the pair with variations in brightness and width along its length.  The arm brightened as it connected to NGC 5195.  The slightly oval core was extremely bright but nevertheless a very bright stellar nucleus punctuated the center.  The spiral arms had an extremely high contrast and appeared etched in the eyepiece like a photograph with a great deal of knotty structure.  The outer arm that sweeps clockwise to the north and then around the west side extended much further south (~5' from center) than I had ever previously seen and separated quite a bit from the main spiral.  Sprays of nebulosity looped off of NGC 5195 to the north (see notes).

 

18" (7/2/11): first view of type IIb supernova 2011dh in M51, which was discovered after the last time I could observe.  The magnitude was ~13.3.  The progenitor star of SN 2011dh is possibly an extremely unusual yellow supergiant with a massive blue companion that was leeching material off the yellow supergiant.

 

17.5" (3/28/87): stunning spiral structure, connecting arm visible with direct vision.  First observation with 17.5" on 23 Mar 1985.

 

13.1" (1/18/85): spiral structure very prominent in excellent seeing - reminiscent of Lord Rosse's sketch!  The connecting arm was definite with averted vision.

 

13.1" (many dates from 4/24/82 to 3/24/84): very bright, very large, bright nucleus.  Two winding spiral arms were obvious with a dark gap between the arms on the west side.  The connecting arm to NGC 5195 was definite although near my visual threshold.  There was a sharp bend in the outer arm at the south end of the galaxy. After this point, the arm trailed faintly north to NGC 5195 located 4.6' from center.

 

8" (7/3/80 and many later dates): bright, large, hint of spiral arms using averted vision.

 

Charles Messier discovered M51 = NGC 5194 = h1622 on 13 Oct 1773 with a 3.5-inch refractor while "watching the comet visible at that time."  Johann Bode made an independent discovery on 5 Jan 1774, along with the first drawing using his 3-inch refractor.  Pierre Méchain discovered the companion [NGC 5195] on 21 Mar 1781 and Messier wrote in his 1781 catalog that "It is double, each has a bright center, which are separated 4' 35". The two "atmospheres" touch each other, the one is even fainter than the other. Reobserved several times."

 

William Herschel's first observed M51 with his 6.2" on 17 Sep 1783 at 57x: "Two nebulae joined together; both suspected of being stars. Of the most north [H I.186, NGC 5195] I have hardly any doubt. (At 150x) A strong suspicion next to a certainty of being stars. I make no doubt the 20 ft. will resolve them clearly, as they want light and prevent my using a higher power with this instrument." This was independent discovery of the companion, NGC 5195, which was discovered by Mechain on 31 Mar 1781.  He observed M51 three nights later with the 12-inch (20-ft f.l.) and commented "most difficult to resolve; yet I no longer doubt.  In the southern nebula I saw several stars by various glimpses, in the northern also 3 or 4 in the thickest part of it, but never very distinctly."  His first view using his 18.7" occurred on 12 May 1787 (swee[ 734): "Bright, a very uncommon object. Nebulosity in the center, with a nucleus surrounded by detached nebulosity in the form of a circle; of unequal brightness in 3 or 4 places; forming altogether a most curious object."  The companion NGC 5195 was recorded immediately after as a new discovery.  Again on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 836), he described "Two, the most south vB, L, surrounded with a beautiful glory of milky nebulosity with here and there small interruptions that seemed to show the glory at a distance."  Unfortunately he never observed M51 with the 48-inch reflector or would have discovered its spiral structure..

 

John Herschel described M51 as "A very bright round nucleus surrounded at a distance by a nebulous ring" and as a "double ring, or rather one-and-half rings rather like an armillary sphere."  His sketch shows two partially overlapping rings with the double ring portion probably corresponding where the two main arms have the highest contrast along one side.

 

M51 was the first galaxy in which spiral structure was clearly seen.  The discovery was made by Lord Rosse (William Parsons) using his newly completed 72-inch Leviathan in the spring of 1845 (replacing the earlier 36-inch scope).  No observing logs were kept of the earliest observations, so the exact date in unknown, but spirality was not reported by Romney Robinson (director of the Armagh Observatory) and James South (double star observer) during their observation on 5-6 March 1845, which focused on resolvability.  In early April 1845 (possibly the 6th), William Parsons observed alone and "discovered" the spiral structure, producing a stunning sketch that was circulated at the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Cambridge in June 1845.  By 1850, M51 had been observed at least 28 times and a Parsons' second, more dynamic sketch implying motion, was published in his 1850 "Observations of the Nebulae" (figure 1). Samuel Hunter also made an excellent visual sketch that was completed in May 1864.

 

Probably using LdR's drawing as a "guide", William Lassell sketched the spiral structure and connecting arm on 12 May 1846 (in his notebook) with his 24" equatorially mounted reflector.  He made two detailed sketches using his 48" in 1862 from Malta, showing slightly variations in the spiral structure. Jean Chacornac made an excellent pencil sketch (unpublished) in 1862 using the 31" silvered-glass reflector of the Paris Observatory.  Using only a 9.6" refractor at Rome, Father Angelo Secchi claimed "even in our telescope it is easy to recognize the spiral and the two branches can be followed very well." (he often compared his telescopic views favorably with LdR's and Lassell's).

 

A bitter debate between Wilhelm Tempel and Dreyer began in 1878 after Tempel was highly critical of Lord Rosse's and William Lassell's sketches of spiral structure.  Tempel had only observed M51 through the 11" refractor at Arcetri, and although he sketched curving arcs in the halo, he felt Rosse and others were interpretating these features as spiral forms.  He wrote "one cannot fend off the thought that these forms and shapes are only figments of the imagination...".  On 29 Apr 1889 Isaac Roberts obtained the first photograph of M51, ending the debate.

 

As far as the origin of the nickname "Whirlpool Galaxy", Ormsby Mitchel's Sidereal Messenger column in November 1847 (Vol. 2, No. 4) announced "Lord Rosse's Whirlpool Nebula" and included a copy of his sketch.  The following year Romney Robinson described spiral nebulae "... resemblance to bodies floating on a whirlpool is, of course, likely to set imagination at work..."

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NGC 5195 = M51b = UGC 8494 = MCG +08-25-014 = CGCG 246-009 = Arp 85 NED2 = VV 1b = Holm 526b = PGC 47413

13 29 59.2 +47 15 59; CVn

V = 9.6;  Size 5.8'x4.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 79°

 

48" (4/2/11): I was shocked by the detail and structure visible in the companion to M51 at 375x.  The main 2' portion of the galaxy has a striking asymmetric appearance with an extremely high surface brightness "bar" perhaps 2'x0.8' elongated N-S with a sharp light cutoff on the east side.  Attached on the east side of a bar is semi-circular "loop" extending about a 1' E and connected at the north and south end of the bar. The western loop portion of NGC 5195 was slightly brighter where it connected at the ends and the interior of this loop was irregularly darker.  On first glance there appeared to be an obvious short "arm" connected to the northeast end of NGC 5195 heading south, but then I realized this was the long connecting arm from M51 that brightened in the last 1' where it attaches to NGC 5195.  The entire connecting arm was always a prominent direct vision feature of the pair.  The center of the bar was sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.

 

At least three distinct plumes of nebulosity (referred to as the "crown") extended from NGC 5195 to the north. A broad wing of hazy nebulosity begins near the NE end (at the end of the connecting arm) and sweeps 2' to the north in a gentle curve.  A second shorter plume extends directly north from the north end of NGC 5195.  Finally a mass of very low surface brightness nebulosity spreads to the west from the southwest end of the galaxy and clearly sweeps towards the north for ~2.5'.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, fairly small, very irregular appearance.  Forms a double system 4.6' N of M51 and connected on the east side by a faint spiral arm of M51 which trails north on the east side to NGC 5195.  The following side is sharply cut-off due to dust and appears as a half disc.

 

Pierre Méchain discovered M51's northern companion NGC 5195 = H. I-186 = h1623 on 21 Mar 1781.  He commented "saw this nebula; effectively it is double.  The center of each is brilliant and clear; distinct and the light of each touches each other."  Messier mentioned the companion to M51 in his final 1781 version of his catalogue, though it never received recognition as a separate Messier object.

 

Herschel resolved the pair on 17 Sep 1783 in his first observation using his 6.2" reflector.  He noted, "Two nebula joined together; both suspected of being stars [clusters]. Of the most north I have hardly any doubt."  Herschel was unaware of the earlier discovery.  Herschel recorded NGC 5195 "officially" as new discovery on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734): "bright, small, round, very gradually bright middle.  Just north of the former [M51]."  Herschel was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  John Herschel called it "B; R: very suddenly brighter in the middle to a star.  This nebula is the companion of M51 and is figured with it."

 

LdR and assistants classified NGC 5195 as a likely spiral, along with other details, on several observations.  On 17 Mar 1855: "I have no doubt of a spiral arrangement of the smaller Nucl."  On 16 Apr 1855: "The 2nd Nucl seems to be the proper prolongation of the spiral arm with which it is connected."  On 18 Apr 1860: "I still think the small Nucl is shaped like an "S". On 12 Apr 1872: "The edge of the 2nd convol. is very nearly rectilinear on the south side."

 

On 6 Apr 1945, Milton Humason visually discovered the type Ia SN 1945A observing with the 100-inch.  This was the second extragalactic SN discovery after SN 1885A in M31.

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NGC 5196 = CGCG 017-002 = PGC 47540

13 31 19.6 -01 36 54; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, oval NW-SE.  NGC 5197 lies 5' SSE.  Located within the NGC 5183 group.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5196 = m 260, along with NGC 5192 and 5197, on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF".  His position is less than 1' southwest of CGCG 017-002 = PGC 47540.

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NGC 5197 = CGCG 017-003 = PGC 47546

13 31 25.1 -01 41 36; Vir

V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, round.  Member of the NGC 5183 group with NGC 5196 5' NNW and NGC 5202 10' E.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5197 = m 261, along with NGC 5192 and 5196, on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF".  His position is good.

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NGC 5198 = UGC 8499 = MCG +08-25-015 = CGCG 246-010 = I Zw 59 = PGC 47441

13 30 11.4 +46 40 15; CVn

V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter.  Contains a large, brighter core with a thin halo.  Forms the SE vertex of a small rectangle with three mag 13-14 stars - the closest star 45" W.  Located 32' S of M51.  NGC 6169 lies 21' W.

 

17.5" (4/28/89): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, small very bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is 45" W of center.

 

13.1" (4/24/82): fairly faint, small, round.  Located about 30' S of M51 in the same low power field.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5198 = H. II-689 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "pF, L, stellar [nucleus]."  His position is accurate.  He made another observation on 29 Apr 1788 and called it "pB, pL."

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NGC 5199 = UGC 8504 = MCG +06-30-024 = CGCG 190-016 = PGC 47492

13 30 42.7 +34 49 50; CVn

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Picked up at 100x 2.1' NE of a mag 13 star.  Located 27' WSW of mag 6.8 SAO 63599 and 46' WNW of NGC 5223 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5199 = H. III-406 = h1624 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, vS, lE."  Caroline's reduction is 25 sec of time preceding UGC 8504.

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NGC 5200

12 31 42.2 -00 01 49; Vir

 

= **, Reinmuth, Carlson and Corwin.

 

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 5200 = HN 18 on 30 Apr 1859 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He simply noted "a star in faint nebulosity."  At Coolidge's position is a close mag 12.7/15.0 pair at ~9" separation.  Karl Reinmuth described NGC 5200 as a "**15 and 12.5, dist 0.1' 80 deg.  No neb seen."

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NGC 5201 = UGC 8480 = MCG +09-22-069 = CGCG 271-045 = PGC 47324

13 29 16.4 +53 04 54; UMa

V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 145°

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6'.  Moderate, even concentration to a brighter core and faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 5.7' S of mag 7.4 SAO 28775 (a mag 10 companion is 2' NW of the bright star).  NGC 5163 lies 29' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5201 = H. II-797 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and recorded "pF, pS, R, very gradually brighter middle." His re-reduced position is ~80 tsec too large and 2' south of UGC 8480.  A second observation made on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) is more accurate.

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NGC 5202 = CGCG 017-010 = PGC 47589

13 32 00.5 -01 41 57; Vir

V = 14.5;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 10' E of NGC 5197 in the NGC 5183 group.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5202 = m 262 on 12 Apr 1864 and simply noted "vF". His position is 1' west of CGCG 017-010 = PGC 47589.

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NGC 5203 = MCG -01-35-001 = PGC 47610

13 32 13.4 -08 47 11; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a moderately bright 20"x10" core and a much fainter halo.  A pair of mag 10.5/12.5 stars at 27" separation is 7' SE.  Located 3° NE of Spica.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5203 = H. III-507 = h3517 on 4 Feb 1786 (sweep 522) and recorded "vF, vS, er. 240 left a doubt of the nebulosity, but rather confirmed it; may be a small patch of stars."  His position is within 1' of MCG -01-35-001 = PGC 47610. John Herschel logged from the Cape of Good Hope, "vF; S; R gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."

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NGC 5204 = UGC 8490 = MCG +10-19-078 = CGCG 294-039 = PGC 47368

13 29 36.4 +58 25 09; UMa

V = 11.3;  Size 5.0'x3.0';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 5°

 

24" (6/12/18): fairly bright, fairly large, oval N-S, ~3.5'x2.5', irregular halo, broad concentration to a large, very ill-defined central region but no nucleus.  The surface brightness is notably irregular or mottled due to numerous blue compact HII regions, but no individual regions were resolved on the face of the galaxy.

 

17.5" (6/3/00): moderately bright, elongated 4:3 N-S, 3.5'x2.5', weak concentration.  Has a mottled appearance with several slightly brighter knots across the face of the galaxy [on the DSS, the galaxy is quite unusual with numerous knots].  The outer halo fades into the background.  A nice fairly bright double star is near the edge of the field.  Member of the M101 group.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated N-S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5204 = H. IV-63 = h1625 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and recorded "cB, cL, very gradually much brighter middle, easily res.  I suppose with a higher power I might have seen the stars."  His position was poor -- 35 seconds of RA east of UGC 8490. John Herschel made a single observation and noted "pB; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"; r; no nucleus seen." His RA was 8 seconds too small.  Edward Fath commented that NGC 5204 may be UGC 8490 (No. 627 in Table 1) in his 1914 paper "A Study of Nebulae".  He remarked it was "irregular with a number of condensations", based on a plate taken with the Mt Wilson 60-inch.

 

Charles E. Burton, the Birr Castle observer on 23 Apr 1868, recorded "E ns, dark lane np sf on north side of nucleus.  Suspect a spiral branch on np side extending to a star sp.  Two stars sf, is the following of the 2 nebulous?"

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NGC 5205 = UGC 8501 = MCG +11-17-003 = CGCG 316-017 = PGC 47425

13 30 03.4 +62 30 42; UMa

V = 12.2;  Size 3.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/23/98): appears as a fairly large, ill-defined diffuse glow, slightly elongated N-S, 1.5'x1.2', very weak concentration.  Situated between mag 13.5/14.5 stars 3' S and 2' N. Two mag 11 stars lie ~8' NW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5205 = Sw. 6-59 on 18 May 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; R; betw 2 vF stars." His position is 2' south of UGC 8501 and his description applies.

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NGC 5206 = ESO 220-018 = LGG 344-006 = PGC 47762

13 33 44.0 -48 09 04; Cen

V = 10.6;  Size 3.7'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 16°

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.6', broad weak concentration. Situated just south of a pair of mag 12 stars 1.5' N and 1.7' NW of center.  NGC 5156 lies 1.1° SW.  Located just 80' SE of Omega Centauri in the Centaurus A galaxy group.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5206 = h3518 on 2 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 50"; on a ground faintly stippled with minute stars."  His position is within the north side of the halo.

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NGC 5207 = UGC 8518 = MCG +02-35-001 = CGCG 073-018 = PGC 47612

13 32 14.1 +13 53 32; Vir

V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 140°

 

24" (7/2/16): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 3:2 NW-SE, 0.9'x0.6', brighter core with a stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 0.7' NW, just off the edge.

 

CGCG 073-021, discovered by Lord Rosse's observer in 1856, lies 5' NE.  The companion appeared very faint and small, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~12"x9".

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6', broad concentration with no distinct core.  A mag 11 star is just off the NW edge 44" from the center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5207 = H. III-643 = h1626 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "vF, S, just sf a star, which is partly included in the nebulosity." Caroline's reduction is 1.4' north of UGC 8518.  John Herschel logged this galaxy as "a faint oval wisp attached to a * 11m."

 

Three observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 3 May 1856, R.J. Mitchell noted "about 5' nf is a vF nebulous knot."  At this offset from NGC 5207 is CGCG 073-021 = PGC 47648, which did not receive a NGC designation.

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NGC 5208 = UGC 8519 = MCG +01-35-001 = CGCG 045-007 = PGC 47637

13 32 28.0 +07 18 59; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 162°

 

24" (6/1/13): moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', well concentrated with a very small, very bright nucleus that increases to the center.  NGC 5208 and NGC 5209, located 3.7' ENE, are the brightest members of a small group.  CGCG 045-008 (identified in the RNGC as NGC 5212) lies 1.7' SE.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6'.  Even concentration with a bright core and faint stellar nucleus.  Appears to a have faint larger halo.  Brightest in a trio with NGC 5209 3.7' ENE and NGC 5210 10' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5208 = H. III-9 = h1627, along with NGC 5209, on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 108) and recorded "Two very feeble nebula. They are eF."  There is nothing at Caroline's derived position (often very rough in his early sweeps) but 1.6 minutes of RA west (same declination) is the pair UGC 8519 (= NGC 5208) and UGC 8522 (= NGC 5209) and his eyepiece sketch matches.  John Herschel made four observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5209 = UGC 8522 = MCG +01-35-002 = CGCG 045-009 = PGC 47654

13 32 42.5 +07 19 38; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

24" (6/1/13): at 225x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright, 0.3' core that increases to the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5208 3.7' WSW with CGCG 045-011 3.0' E.  Also, CGCG 045-012 is 4.7' NNE.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Broad, weak concentration with no distinct core.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 5208 3.7' WSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5209 = H. III-10 = h1628, along with NGC 5208, on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 108) and recorded "Two very feeble nebula [with III-9 = NGC 5208]. They are eF."  The calculated RA was poor on this early sweep and the pair is 1.6 minutes of RA to the west.  John Herschel made two observations, providing a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5210 = UGC 8523 = MCG +01-35-003 = CGCG 045-010 = PGC 47678

13 32 49.2 +07 10 12; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

24" (6/1/13): moderately bright, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter, sharply concentrated with a small bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group (WBL 450), along with NGC 5208 and 5209, which lie 10' NNW.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Contains a fairly bright core with a faint halo with fades into the background. Similar to the NGC 5208/5209 pair that lies ~10' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5210 = H. III-99 = h1629 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded it as "eF, S.  It follows a star 7-8 mag 3.1 minutes in time and 1° 9' more north."  On 12 May 1793 (sweep 1042) he reported "pretty bright nucleus with very faint chevelure [halo].  Small, almost like a faint nebulous star."  A sketch was included in his 1811 publication (fig. 32) as an example of "round nebulae that show the progression of condensation."

 

John Herschel called it "F; S: R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"."

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NGC 5211 = UGC 8530 = MCG +00-35-009 = CGCG 017-021 = PGC 47709

13 33 05.3 -01 02 08; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, oval SSW-NNE, gradually increases to a small bright core.  Forms a pair with UGC 8526 7.9' SSW in the NGC 5183 group.  UGC 8526 appeared very faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5211 = h1630 on 14 Apr 1828 and recorded "pB; S; R; very suddenly much brighter middle; 20"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5212 = CGCG 045-014 = PGC 47687

13 32 56.1 +07 17 16; Vir

V = 15.5;  Size 0.5'x0.45'

 

24" (6/1/13): faint to very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  The NGC identification is very uncertain and could apply to CGCG 045-008 and perhaps a faint, wide double star near John Herschel's position.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): not found though observed well past the meridian.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5212 = h1631 on 24 Apr 1830 and simply note "eF".  There is nothing at his position, which is east of NGC 5208 and 5209.

 

Karl Reinmuth identified CGCG 045-014 as NGC 5212.  This galaxy is 27 sec of RA west of Herschel's position and matches in declination.  RNGC identifies CGCG 045-008 as NGC 5212.  This galaxy is situated 1.7' southeast of NGC 5208 and is 50 seconds of RA west of Herschel's position.  Harold Corwin favors a 20" pair of 15th magnitude stars just 1' north of Herschel's position.  I don't think any of these identifications are compelling and the identification should perhaps be left as "lost".

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NGC 5213 = VV 18a = UGC 8552 = MCG +01-35-008 = CGCG 045-028 = PGC 47842

13 34 39.3 +04 07 48; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration with no noticeable core.  Located 17' NE of a 2' pair of mag 8 stars.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5213 = m 263 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, S, lE."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is UGC 8552 = PGC 47842.  The other galaxies Marth discovered the same night have correct positions.  Karl Reinmuth describes this galaxy as "cF, cS, lE, little brighter middle, extremely faint nucleus" at the corrected position and notes that "in Dreyer's place is *12.5."

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NGC 5214 = UGC 8531 = MCG +07-28-030 = CGCG 218-021 = PGC 47675

13 32 48.5 +41 52 19; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 140°

 

24" (6/4/16): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 45"x35", very small bright core.  Mag 9.9 SAO 44651 is 5' NE along with a mag 10.7 star 2.8' NW.  Located 22' SE of mag 6.1 HD 117710.

 

Forms a contact pair with NGC 5214A = MCG +07-28-029 just off the southwest edge, 30" between centers.  NGC 5214A appeared extremely faint (though not a threshold object) and small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.2'x0.1'.

 

17.5" (6/2/00): fairly faint, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.1'x0.8', weak even concentration.  Forms the southern vertex of a triangle with a mag 10.5 star 2.7' NW and a mag 10 star 5' NE.  Located 18' SE of mag 6.1 SAO 44637.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5214 = H. III-656 = h1632 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "vF, vS, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel's description reads "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30...40 arcseconds."

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NGC 5215 = ESO 383-028 = ESO 383-29 = MCG -05-32-041 = VV 693 = AM 1332-331 = PGC 47887

13 35 09.5 -33 29 02; Cen

V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (4/21/01): this double system consists of a two faint, very small galaxies (NGC 5215A and 5215B) separated by 20" E-W.  The eastern member is slightly elongated and the western galaxy only 20" diameter.  Both galaxies have sharp, stellar nuclei.  A mag 14 star lies 42" due south of the eastern component.  This member of AGC 3565 is located 12' SE of a mag 6.5 star.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5215 = h3519 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "eF and S; has 2 st less than 1 diam of neb, distant one (by diagram) s[outh] and one p[receding]".  Based on his description, he resolved this double system.  ESO-LV fails to label this system as NGC 5215.

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NGC 5216 = Arp 104 NED1 = VV 33a = UGC 8528 = MCG +11-17-004 = CGCG 316-019 CGCG 316-019 = PGC 47598 = Keenan's System

13 32 07.0 +62 42 03; UMa

V = 12.6;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.0

 

48" (4/20/17 and 5/1/22): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with an intense nucleus surrounded by a small bright core and a moderately large halo.  Viewed in poor seeing.

 

17.5" (5/23/98): smaller and fainter of pair with NGC 5218 4.0' N (Keenan's System = interacting on long exposure photos).  Fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter.  The core is 15" in diameter at 280x.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5216 = H. II-841 = h1635, along with II-842 = NGC 5218, on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and logged "pB, S, iF." Caroline's reduced position is 2' northeast of UGC 8528.  John Herschel measured an accurate position for h1635, but thought it was a new object, as he applied II-841 to NGC 5218.  The identifications were corrected in GC and NGC, but still the MCG has NGC 5216 and 5218 reversed.

 

The nickname "Keenan's System" derives from a 1935 paper "An Unusual Pair of Nebulae: NGC 5216 and 5218" (in 1935ApJ....81..355K).  Keenan announced that based on a Yerkes 24-inch plate "these two apparently well-separated galaxies are connected by a faint but definite band of nebulosity... The case is striking, among the small number of pairs known to be physically connected, because of the considerable separation of the two objects in proportion to their size."  The paper included a photograph of the system.  Zwicky used the name "Keenan's System in his 1956 paper "Multiple Galaxies" on interacting galaxies (http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1956ErNW...29..344Z).  The filament connecting the galaxies stretches 22,000 light years long.

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NGC 5217 = UGC 8546 = MCG +03-35-009 = CGCG 102-019 = PGC 47793

13 34 06.1 +17 51 24; Com

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, evenly concentrated down to a small bright core.  Forms a pair with IC 897 3.2' ESE.  The companion appeared extremely faint, very small.  I could only glimpse this object for moments with averted vision but it appeared very elongated 3:1 SW-NE and extremely thin.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5217 = h1634 on 7 May 1826 and recorded "vF; S; R: bM."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5218 = Arp 104 NED2 = VV 33b = UGC 8529 = MCG +11-17-005 = CGCG 316-020 = CGCG 317-003 = PGC 47603 = Keenan's System

13 32 10.2 +62 46 02; UMa

V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

 

48" (5/1/22): NGC 5218 is the northern member of Arp 104 (Keenan's System), connected by a faint tidal bridge to NGC 5216 4' S. At 488x, it was bright, moderately large, with a very irregular shape. The brightest portion is a thick bar elongated E-W that appears twisted at its ends due to distorted spiral arms rooted at the ends. Specifically, the brightest portion of the northern arm curves NE from the W end of the bar. Also, faint extensions spread SW and NE (outer portions of the arms), with a slightly brighter patch at the SW end.  A thin tidal bridge was visible extending south to NGC 5216, though the surface brightness is extremely low.

 

17.5" (5/23/98): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration with a large brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' NE.  Forms a double system with NGC 5216 4.0' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5218 = H. II-842 = h1636 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and recorded "pB, pL, iF."  Caroline's reduced position is 3' northeast of UGC 8529 (northern component of Keenan's System).  JH misidentified h1636 as II-841, instead of II-842.  The identifications of NGC 5216/5218 are reversed in the MCG.

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NGC 5219 = NGC 5244 = ESO 270-023 = MCG -07-28-007 = PGC 48236

13 38 42.0 -45 51 18; Cen

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 17°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5244.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5219 = h3520 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, has a * near lower edge."  There is nothing at his very rough position (near min of RA and NPD marked as approximate), but the description clearly matches h3525 = NGC 5244.  This implies JH made a 2.5 tmin error in RA and 3' in declination and didn't recognize that he observed this galaxy just two days previously!

 

The RNGC misidentifies a double star as NGC 5244, although the classification is a galaxy.

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NGC 5220 = ESO 383-036 = MCG -5-32-46 = PGC 47972

13 35 57.0 -33 27 13; Cen

V = 12.2;  Size 2.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 97°

 

17.5" (4/21/01): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.5'x0.6'.  A mag 13 star is at the following end [52" from center] and a mag 14.5 star is just north of central region.  A mag 9.1 star lies 2.8' SE.  NGC 5215 (pair) lies 10' W.  Located 17' SE of mag 6.6 HD 118010. The dust lane (similar to M104) was  not seen.  Member of AGC 3565.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5220 = h3521 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; S; R: precedes a * 10m, dist 1 1/2 diam by diagram."  His position and description matches ESO 383-036 = MCG -05-32-046.  MCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 5220.

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NGC 5221 = Arp 288 NED3 = VV 315b = VIII Zw 325 = UGC 8559 = MCG +02-35-006 = CGCG 073-040 = PGC 47869

13 34 55.9 +13 49 57; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 2.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

 

24" (6/1/13): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.25", well concentrated with a small bright nucleus.  Interacting pair with NGC 5222 5.4' S.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, broad mild concentration, very faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5222 5.4' S.  A mag 14.5 star 2.5' S is midway NGC 5221 and NGC 5222.  Member of the NGC 5230 group.  NGC 5226 lies 5.7' NNE (not seen).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5221 = H. III-86 = h1637, along with NGC 5222 and 5230 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189), and recorded "Three small nebula, all vF and R; the last is little larger than the other two.  The first and last differ 0.6 min in RA and 10' in polar distance."  John Herschel made two observations, logging "F; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 25", and "eF; R".  NGC position is just off the south side of the galaxy.

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NGC 5222 = Arp 288 NED2/3 = VV 315a/c = UGC 8558 = MCG +02-35-005 = CGCG 073-039 = PGC 47871

13 34 55.9 +13 44 32; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  PA = 15°

 

24" (6/1/13): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 30"x24", high surface brightness core, small halo.  A mag 15.5 star is just off the south side, 0.6' from center.  NGC 5221 lies 5.4' N and NGC 5230 is 9.6' ESE.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE.  A mag 15.5 star is at the south edge.  A brighter mag 14.5 star lies 3' N.  This is the slightly brighter galaxy of a pair with NGC 5221 5.4' N.  Located 9.7' WNW of NGC 5230 in a group.  A small companion just off the northeast edge was not seen.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5222 = H. III-85 = h1638, along with NGC 5221 and NGC 5230, on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189).  John Herschel made three observations, describing NGC 5220 as both "very faint" and "pretty bright".

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NGC 5223 = UGC 8553 = MCG +06-30-040 = CGCG 190-025 = PGC 47822

13 34 25.2 +34 41 25; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7

 

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, very little concentration.  A mag 13 star is nearly attached on the SW side, 44" from the center. At 280x, a very small core is visible and the galaxy has an uneven surface brightness.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5228 5.6' NNE and NGC 5233 10' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5223 = H. III-407 = h1640 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "Two [along with III-408 = NGC 5228], the time is that of the most south; both vF and vS; but the most north [NGC 5228] is the faintest and smallest of the two.  Dist about 6 or 7'."  His RA was 20 seconds of time too small.  John Herschel made 3 observations, recording on sweep 131 "F; S; R; has a star sp", and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5224 = MCG +01-35-009 = CGCG 045-030 = PGC 47884

13 35 08.8 +06 28 51; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (6/2/00): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak even concentration to a brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  Bracketed between two mag 9 stars 2.3' NE (SAO 120022) and 3.5' SW (SAO 120017).  NGC 5235 lies 14' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5224 = H. III-926 = h1633 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and recorded "vF, S.  It is sp a considerably bright star."  John Herschel made the single observation "a * 9m with a faint, very dilute nebulous atmosphere."  His position is 1 min of time too small (he noted a possible error of 1 tmin), but the description appears to describe one of the nearby bright stars -- not the galaxy, which is 2' from the nearest star. In the GC, JH questioned "Has the star or the nebula moved?"  He probably missed the galaxy and noted a small halo around the nearby star.

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NGC 5225 = UGC 8540 = MCG +09-22-078 = CGCG 271-050 = PGC 47731

13 33 20.3 +51 29 25; CVn

V = 13.5;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4

 

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, little or no concentration.  A mag 15.5 star is barely off the SE edge [30" from center].  Located 15' SW of NGC 5238.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5225 = H. III-822 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "cF, pS, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 27 sec of RA east of UGC 8540.  There were no follow-up observations by JH or at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5226 = PGC 47877

13 35 03.6 +13 55 20; Vir

V = 15.7;  Size 0.5'x0.25';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 21°

 

24" (6/1/13): faintest member of the NGC 5230 quartet.  At 282x appeared extremely faint, very small, appeared to be elongated ~2:1 N-S, 12"x6".  Required averted and could not hold for more than a couple of seconds.  Located 5.7' NNE of NGC 5221.  This galaxy is surprisingly faint for an NGC, though it was discovered with the 72-inch.

 

17.5" (5/30/92):  Not found.

 

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 5226 using LdR's 72" on 5 April 1877 during an observation of NGC 5221.  He described this object as "eF, pS, pos 20.7°, dist 342" from [NGC 5221].  At this exact position (5.7' north-northeast of NGC 5221) is PGC 47877.

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NGC 5227 = UGC 8566 = MCG +00-35-010 = CGCG 017-029 = PGC 47915

13 35 24.5 +01 24 40; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 145°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, gradually increases to a 20" core.  Surrounded by a small isosceles triangle of stars with a mag 14.5 star 1.8' NW, mag 15 star 1.3' SW and a mag 14 star 2.1' E!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5227 = H. III-928 = h1641 on 13 May 1793 (sweep 1044) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R" though did not measure a position.  Ralph Copeland, while an observing assistant at Birr Castle on 22 Mar 1874, noted "vF, pS, R, gradually much brighter middle, inside a triangle of small stars."

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NGC 5228 = UGC 8556 = MCG +06-30-043 = CGCG 190-026 = PGC 47837

13 34 35.0 +34 46 40; CVn

V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 5223 5.6' SSW.  A mag 13 star lies 1.4' NE and a similar star is 2' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5228 = H. III-408 = h1642 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "Two [along with III-407 = NGC 5223], the time is that of the most south; both vF and vS; but the most north [NGC 5228] is the faintest and smallest of the two.  Dist about 6 or 7'."  His RA was 20 seconds of time too small.  John Herschel made 2 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5229 = UGC 8550 = MCG +08-25-019 = CGCG 246-013 = FGC 1638 = PGC 47788

13 34 02.9 +47 54 54; CVn

V = 13.7;  Size 3.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 167°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, large, thin edge-on, 6:1 NNW-SSE, 2.5'x0.4'.  With averted vision the outer tips may extend to 3' in length.  A mag 12 star is off the SSE end 2.4' from center.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5229 = Sw. 3-72 on 1 Jan 1886 and recorded "eF; L; vE; v difficult."  His position is 8 sec of RA following UGC 8550 and his description applies.  Possible member of the M101 group.

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NGC 5230 = UGC 8573 = MCG +02-35-009 = CGCG 073-043 = PGC 47932

13 35 31.9 +13 40 34; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

24" (5/31/22): at 327x; moderately bright, fairly large, diffuse, broad and fairly weak concentration.  Strong impression of a thin elongated brightening through the center (like a bar), oriented NNW-SSE.  In addition to the two nearby NGCs, IC 901 is located 23' S.

 

24" (6/1/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.4'x1.2', broad concentration to a brighter core.  With direct vision, a small brighter nucleus was visible.  Largest in a quartet (similar redshifts) with NGC 5222 9.6' WNW and NGC 5221 12.8' NW.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, fairly low almost even surface brightness, weak concentration.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5221 13' NNW and NGC 5222 9.7' WNW.  Located near the Virgo-Bootes border.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5230 = H. III-87 = h1639 = h1643, along with NGC 5221 and NGC 5222, on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189).  John Herschel made 4 observations including one, on sweep 247, in which he thought it was new and catalogued it as h1643.  His position was 8 tsec of RA too far west on this sweep.  Dreyer combined the two h- and GC-designations in the NGC, noting "according to the well--agreeing observations of WH, d'Arrest and LdR, there are only 3 nebula."

 

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell on 3 May 1856 noted 1643 [NGC 5230] is the largest and is "pB, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, about which I suspect dark spaces [dust lanes]."

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NGC 5231 = UGC 8574 = MCG +01-35-011 = CGCG 045-034 = Holm 529a = PGC 47953

13 35 48.3 +02 59 57; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 112°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.6', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core and an occasional stellar nucleus.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5231 = m 264 on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, bM."  His position is 1' south of UGC 8574.

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NGC 5232 = MCG -01-35-003 = PGC 47998

13 36 08.3 -08 29 52; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.8'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a much brighter 30" core.  Forms a pair with MCG -01-35-005 3.5' ENE.  The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round, no other details.  NGC 5241 lies 10' NNE. Located 5.3' NNE of mag 9 SAO 139434.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5232 = m 265 on 30 May 1864 and noted "F, vS."  His position is less than 1' north-northwest of MCG -01-35-003 = PGC 47998.

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NGC 5233 = UGC 8568 = MCG +06-30-047 = CGCG 190-029 = PGC 47895

13 35 13.3 +34 40 38; CVn

V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (5/23/98): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, very small brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.1' SE of center.  Located 10' E of NGC 5223 in a group with NGC 5228.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5233 = H. III-425 = h1645 on 3 May 1785 (sweep 407) and noted "vF, vS, may be brought into the field with the two foregoing [NGC 5223 and 5228] and is a little fainter than they are."  John Herschel called it "F; S; R: has a vS * near [southeast]."

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NGC 5234 = ESO 220-024 = PGC 48129

13 37 29.9 -49 50 14; Cen

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 48°

 

18" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 40"x20", contains a small brighter core.  A mag 14-14.5 star is at the southeast edge [20" from center] and a mag 15 star is just off the northeast end.  Situated in a rich star field with two mag 10.5 stars 4' N and 5' NW.  Located 25' WNW of mag 5.9 HD 118767.

 

ESO 220-023 (similar redshift) lies 5.6' NNW.  This fairly faint edge-on extends 4:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.15', slight bulge at center, tapers at ends.  Collinear with two mag 12.2 and 10.5 stars situated 1.2' SE and 1.9' SE.  It also forms the eastern vertex of a triangle with two mag 10.5 stars 2.5' WNW and 3' SW.  Two more ESO edge-ons (again part of the same group) lies 10' SW of NGC 5234 but I didn't look for these.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5234 = h3522 on 6 Jul 1834 and recorded "eeF; lE; 30".  Requires a newly polished mirror, and a night such as this is to be seen."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5235 = UGC 8582 = MCG +01-35-012 = CGCG 045-036 = PGC 47984

13 36 01.4 +06 35 07; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 120°

 

24" (6/29/16): moderately bright, elongated 5:3 ~WNW-ESE, ~40"x24", contains a relatively large brighter core.  A mag 10 star is 3.7' SW and a mag 14.5 star is 1' NNE.

 

CGCG 045-035 lies 3.6' S and a similar distance southeast of the mag 10 star.  It was noted as very faint, slightly elongated N-S, ~15"x10".  UGC 8596 lies 12.5' SE and appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 25"x20", broad concentration with a slightly brighter nucleus.

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.4', smooth surface brightness.  NGC 5224 lies 14' SW.  Located 3.6' NE of a mag 10 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5235 = H. III-100 = h1644 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged "eF, E.  It follows a star 7-8 mag 6.2 min in time and is 34' more north."  John Herschel made three observations, recording on sweep 153 "F; pL; R; very dilute; nf a * 9m."

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NGC 5236 = M83 = ESO 444-081 = MCG -05-32-050 = UGCA 366 = LGG 355-001 = PGC 48082 = Southern Pinwheel

13 37 00.3 -29 51 58; Hya

V = 7.5;  Size 12.9'x11.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

48" (4/7/13): During this observation of M83, I focused on the HII regions that light up portions of the remarkable spiral arms that emanate from the 3'x1' central bar.  The bar is sharply concentrated with a small, intensely bright, 1' round core.  At the NE end of the bar, a high contrast arm begins to sweep counterclockwise along the E side, ending up directly S of the core.  Several knotty clumps were visible in the region where the arm is attached.  First, at the NE end of the central bar [1.2' NE of center] is NGC 5236:[dPD83] 42, a 10" HII knot.  This designation is from a 1983 paper by de Vaucouleurs, Pence and Davoust that includes a map of the 60 brightest HII regions.  Close east of this knot is #46, a 20"x10" elongated patch, situated where the arm begins to unfurl to the south [1.7' NE of center].  HII region #54 is another 12" knot a bit further southeast [0.6'] along the arm [1.9' ENE of center].

 

At the opposite SW end of the bar, a prominent second arm emerges and spirals out counterclockwise along the west side of the galaxy heading north and then spreading out as it curves east.  The arm dims noticeably on the NE side of the halo near a mag 13 star and has a low surface brightness as it continues south in the outer halo, heading towards HJ 4599, an 8" pair of mag 8.2/10.7 stars.  Several knots are visible in this arm.  As the arm emerges at the SW end is #22 and #18, a small 10" knot [1.8' SW of center].  Close north is an elongated clump [2.0' WSW of center], ~25"x10", containing #13 and #15.  Another elongated patch, 30"x10", containing #12 and #16, is 1' further north along the arm [1.9' WNW of center].  Additional HII regions were visible at the northern side of the arm; #39 and #43 are a close pair of small knots ~2.5' NNE of center.  Further east along the arm [3.3' NE of center] is #56, another elongated patch, 20"x10".

 

A third, wider and more diffuse arm begins on the south side of the bar.  It extends below the brighter arm on the west side, and sweeps more gradually, forming an outer western arm. This arm passes just north of a mag 12 star and ends about 4' W of center at a brighter, elongated patch that includes #2 and #3, as well as a mag 15 star.

 

48" (5/15/12): jaw-dropping view of M83, with the galaxy filling about 2/3 of the 375x field.  I didn't take detail notes as we were looking for a recently discovered ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX), in which a companion star is orbiting a neutron star or black hole. We found a stellar or quasi-stellar object at the north edge of the central core, but this was likely a compact HII region (the ULX is ~1' E of the nucleus).

 

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): M83 resembled the photographic appearance in the 24" at 200x.  The bright "bar" was elongated SW-NE and roughly 3'x1' in size with a well-defined bright, round core, 1' in diameter.  The first prominent arm is attached at the northeast end of the bar and sweeps south (counter-clockwise) on the east side of the core, wrapping around the southeast side and spreading out a bit as it terminates to the south of the core (~3' from the center).  This arm has a high contrast along its outer edge and a couple of faint stars or HII knots are visible near where it attaches to the bar.  On the southwest end of the bar a second prominent inner arm emerges and abruptly wraps counter-clockwise around the galaxy on the west side as it heads north.  This arm continues to wrap around the north side before spreading out on the northeast side and merging into the outer halo ~3.5' from center on the northeast edge of the halo. A third, more ill-defined arm, also emerges from the core on the south but sweeps more gently to the west (instead of heading north) on the outside of the second arm.  It spreads out and fades into the general glow about 3.5' SW of center near a superimposed mag 12 star.  Offshoots of the main arms are difficult to trace and contribute to the general background glow of the halo.

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): in addition to the complex 3-armed spiral structure I was surprised to see a fairly obvious linear bar that extended through the small, intense core in SW-NE orientation.  The fairly tightly wound spiral arm that wraps from the east side of the core around the south side in a counter-clockwise orientation clearly emerges from the NE end of this bar.  The spiral arms that begin on the south and west side more vaguely emerge from the general glow near the SW end of the bar.

 

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): beautiful view with easy spiral structure in excellent seeing conditions.  The main central portion of the galaxy appears to be in motion, due to the embedded spiral structure and darker ribbons add to this impression.  The three principal arms extending from the galaxy were well seen although they are fairly tightly wound to the main body.

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): this impressive galaxy was viewed carefully at both 105x and 166x.  The overall size including the spiral arms are ~8'x6'.  The halo is broadly concentrated then rises sharply to an intense 25" core that increases to the center.  Complex spiral structure is quite obvious.  A spiral arm is attached on the east side of the core and wraps around the south side of the galaxy in a counter-clockwise direction.  A second arm is attached at the south side of the core and winds to the west a bit on the south side.  Finally, an arm is attached on the west side and shoots north before gently bending east along the north side of the outer halo.

 

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this was my best view to date of M83 with a beautiful spiral structure clearly evident and multiple knotty arms.  Well concentrated with a prominent core and very small nucleus.  A very long, spiral arm is attached on the west side of the central core or bar but quickly bends to the north, becoming more spread out and diffuse.  It continues to wind along the entire east side of the halo and fades out near a close double star, which is the middle of three collinear stars to the SE of the galaxy.  Two other principal arms are visible - one is attached on the following end of the core and heads south, wrapping clockwise around the core towards the west.  A third arm emerges from the core on the west side and winds clockwise towards the north.  Offshoots of the main arms are difficult to trace and contribute to the general background glow of the halo.

 

17.5" (5/10/86) : brighter arm or arc visible north of the core.

 

13.1" (3/24/84): very bright, large, very bright core, brighter along the central "bar".  The shape of the spiral arms and central bar form the Greek letter "Theta" surrounded by a faint halo.

 

8" (5/21/82 and 3/24/84): very bright and large, bright core, elongated, impressive.

 

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered M83 = NGC 5236 = Lac I-6 = D 628 = h3523 in 1751-1752 with only a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He simply described a "small, shapeless" nebula.  M83 is the only galaxy in Lacaille's list and it's remarkable he discovered it with so small an aperture.  Charles Messier was barely able to view it from Paris, noting "It appears as a faint, even light, but is difficult to see with the telescope that the slightest illumination of the micrometer's crosshairs causes it to disappear.  It requires considerable concentration to see at all."

 

William Herschel made two observations of M83:  On 15 Mar 1787 (sweep 711) he logged "very bright, a bright resolvable nucleus in the middle with faint branches [probably the central bar] about 5' or 6' long, elongated sp-nf."  On 5 May 1793 (sweep 1041) he logged "very bright, a small bright nucleus with very extensive and vF nebulosity; it more than fills the field, it seems to be rather stronger from sp to nf. It may be ranked among the nebulous stars."

 

James Dunlop observed M83 on 29 Apr 1826 (his second night recording deep sky objects) and 4 additional nights.  His summary description reads, ".. a very beautiful round nebula, with an exceedingly bright well-defined disk or nucleus, about 7 or 8 arcseconds diameter, surrounded by a luminous atmosphere or chevelure, about 6' diameter. The nebulous matter is rather a little brighter towards the edge of the planetary disk, but very slightly so. I can see several extremely minute points or stars in the chevelure, but I do not consider them as indications of its being resolvable, although I have no doubt it is composed of stars."  His published position was off by some 12+ minutes in RA due to a transcription error but his handwritten notebook position is within 10' of center.

 

John Herschel's first observation from the Cape of Good Hope on 5 May 1834 reads "vB, vL, suddenly brighter in the middle to a centre equal to a star 9th mag, diam 8", of a resolvable character like a globular cluster, surrounded by an immensely large, extremely dilute almost equable light 7' or 8' diameter, somewhat oval, and passing with excessive suddenness into the central light."

 

William Lassell discovered the spiral nature using his 48-inch fork-mounted reflector on Malta in May 1862. He sketched M83 as an elegant three-branched spiral (Plate VII, Fig. 28, in Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol 36).  The NGC description "3 branched spiral" refers to Lassell's sketch. It was also sketched by Turner as an elegant "S" shaped spiral on the unpublished Plate VI, figure 62 as well as by Pietro Baracchi in Apr 1885.

 

A photograph taken of M83 and detailed description with the Crossley Reflector was published in the 1918 paper by Heber Curtis (Vol XIII, Publications of the Lick Observatory).

 

M83 has 6 known supernovae, the first (SN 1923A) found by Lampland on a photograph taken 5 May 1923 with the 40-inch Lowell reflector.  South African comet hunter Jack Bennett discovered SN 1968L close to the nucleus of M83 on 16 Jul 1968.  This was the first discovery by an amateur and the first extragalactic visual discovery of a supernova.

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NGC 5237 = ESO 270-022 = MCG -07-28-005 = AM 1334-423 = Aguero 48 = LGG 344-008 = PGC 48139

13 37 38.8 -42 50 51; Cen

V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 128°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round (seems to change shape with averted vision).  I saw no noticeable core but the galaxy seemed brightest at the west end with careful viewing.  On the DSS, it appears I noticed either a very small companion that's merged on the northwest side or a blue, starburst region of the galaxy.  NGC 5237 forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two bright stars; mag 7.4 HD 118337 7' NW and mag 7.0 HD 118483 7' NE!  Member of the NGC 5128 (Cen A) group.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5237 = h3524 on 3 Jun 1834 and noted (first of 4 observations) "F; pL; oval; very gradually brighter middle; 60" l; 50" br."  A sketch was made by Joseph Turner in Jul 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope.  MCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 5237.

 

This galaxy, along with Fourcade-Figueroa galaxy = ESO 270-017, may have formed from a close interaction between Centaurus A and a spiral galaxy.  A 1992 paper suggest it was ejected as a non-rotating shred of dusty, gas-rich disc material that appears as a blue irregular/starburst dwarf galaxy.

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NGC 5238 = UGC 8565 = MCG +09-22-082 = CGCG 271-052 = Mrk 1479 = I Zw 64 = KPG 384 = PGC 47853

13 34 42.6 +51 36 50; CVn

V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1.2'x1.0', very diffuse with no noticeable central concentration.  NGC 5225 lies 15' SW.  Possible outlying member of the M101 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5238 = H. III-823 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "cF, pL, R, very little brighter middle."  His position was 20 seconds of RA too large.

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NGC 5239 = UGC 8589 = MCG +01-35-015 = CGCG 045-040 = PGC 48023

13 36 26.2 +07 22 11; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

17.5" (5/27/95): very faint, 1.0' diameter.  Appears as a very low surface brightness glow with no concentration.  Forms the west vertex of a right triangle with two mag 12-13 stars 4.1' E and 5.0' SE.  Located at the extreme SW border of Bootes, 1.5° SSW of NGC 5248.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5239 = H. III-101 = h1646 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He called it "extremely faint, pretty large, round, easily resolvable.  I can almost see the stars of it."  A sketch (fig. 11) was included in his 1814 paper.  This is a face-on spiral, so he probably detected irregular surface brightness due to the arm structure.  John Herschel made two observations and his position on sweep 250 is accurate.

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NGC 5240 = UGC 8587 = MCG +06-30-056 = CGCG 190-034 = PGC 47971

13 35 55.2 +35 35 16; CVn

V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 60°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.9', Very diffuse appearance with a surprisingly low surface brightness and little or no central concentration. A trio of mag 10-10.5 stars lies 11' ENE.  The NGC 5223 group (trio) is located 55' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5240 = H. III-409 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, pL, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel and Lord Rosse didn't make any observations, though Édouard Stephan took a look on 27 Apr 1878 and 22 May 1878.

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NGC 5241 = MCG -01-35-006 = PGC 48043

13 36 39.9 -08 24 07; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): this difficult galaxy is attached to a mag 13 star and is situated just 0.9' W of a mag 11 star that detracts from viewing.  The seeing was not steady during the observation, but the galaxy appeared elongated, perhaps 25"x10" roughly WSW-ENE with the star attached on the following side.  Located 10' NE of NGC 5232.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5241 = Sw. 3-73 on 29 Mar 1886 and recorded "pF, eS; vF star very close."  There is nothing at this position, but 38 sec of RA west and 6' north MCG -01-35-006 = PGC 48043 and his comment "vf * close" applies to this galaxy.  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 5241 but RNGC and PGC identify PGC 48043 as NGC 5241.

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NGC 5242

13 37 06 +02 46; Vir

 

= Not found, Carlson and Corwin.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5242 = h1647 on 10 Apr 1828 and recorded "eF, vL, fills the whole field.  Strongly suspected; yet a doubt remains."  There is nothing near his position (the declination is marked as uncertain) that fits his description and Dorothy Carlson classifies the number as nonexistent.

 

Harold Corwin concludes "Since there are no galaxies in the area matching JH's description (all are too small), nor are there any one hour preceding or following, or within two +/- degrees of the nominal declination, this may well be a visual illusion of some sort, perhaps caused by scattered light in his telescope."  Curiously, there is an observation by LdR observer R.J. Mitchell on 19 Apr 1855, stating "not L, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus and has a patchy look."

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NGC 5243 = UGC 8592 = MCG +07-28-036 = CGCG 218-027 = PGC 48011

13 36 15.1 +38 20 35; CVn

V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 126°

 

24" (6/3/19): at 200x; type Ia SN 2019fck, discovered on May 13th, was easily visible as a mag 14.5-14.7 "star" off the NW end of the galaxy (23" W and 40" N of center).

 

24" (5/20/17): at 200x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NE-SE, 1.2'x0.4', moderate surface brightness, weak concentration.  At 375x; NGC 5243 exhibited an irregular surface brightness and seemed knotty or dappled with dust. The outer halo appeared to extend further towards the southeast with an occasional slightly brighter knot.

 

UGC 8564 lies 16.7' WNW.  At 375x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 45"x18", small bright nucleus, moderately high surface brightness (central region of galaxy viewed).

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, thin nearly edge-on NW-SE, 1.1'x0.3' with a bulging core.  A mag 12 star follows by 4.5'.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5243 = H. III-620 = h1648 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and recorded "cF, E, about 3/4' long, r, not far from the parallel."  John Herscehl measured a fairly accurate position and described the galaxy as "pF; E or obscurely bicentral; little brighter middle, pos of elongation 25° nf by diagram."

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NGC 5244 = NGC 5219 = ESO 270-023 = MCG -07-28-007 = PGC 48236

13 38 42.0 -45 51 18; Cen

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 17°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~45"x20".  A mag 13.5 star is at the north edge.  The galaxy appears to extend (south) from the star.  A mag 8.5 star is 9.5' WSW and three fairly bright, nearly collinear stars lie 8' ENE.

 

The Fourcade-Figueroa Galaxy = ESO 270-017 (possible remnant or "shard", resulting from a close interaction between Centaurus A and a spiral galaxy), lies 45' NW.  I was pleased to make a definite sighting as an extremely faint, very elongated glow, particularly extending east-southeast of a mag 11 star.  The very low surface brightness glow was "pointing" just south of a mag 9 star (HD 118087), which is 8' ESE of the mag 11 star (roughly the center of the Fourcade-Figueroa System), and extended at least 2'x 0.4'.  A short extension on the west-northwest side of the star was difficult to confirm but was marginally  glimpsed.  The mag 11 near the center forms the northeast vertex of a small quadrilateral (sides 1.2' or less) of mag 10.5, 12.5 and 13 stars.  The faintest star is superimposed on west-northwest extension of the galaxy.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5244 = h3525 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; very gradually little brighter middle; has a * at its edge."  His position and description matches ESO 270-023.  NGC 5219 is a duplicate entry (from another observation two nights later).  ESO-LV identifies this galaxy as NGC 5219.  MCG fails to label MCG -07-28-007 as NGC 5244.

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NGC 5245 = CGCG 045-048 = PGC 48110

13 37 23.2 +03 53 51; Vir

V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): very faint, very small, irregularly round, almost even surface brightness.  Located almost at the midpoint between two mag 13.5 stars 2.5' NNW and 3.1' SSE.  NGC 5246 lies 12.5' N.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5245 = m 266, along with NGC 5246, on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, vS."  His position is 2.4' south of CGCG 045-048 = PGC 48110.  CGCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 5245.

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NGC 5246 = UGC 8612 = MCG +01-35-017 = CGCG 045-050 = PGC 48128

13 37 29.5 +04 06 14; Vir

V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): faint, very small, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration.  NGC 5245 is located 12.5' S.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5246 = m 267, along with NGC 5245, on 30 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, vS."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5247 = ESO 577-014 = MCG -03-35-011 = UGCA 368 = PGC 48171

13 38 02.5 -17 53 01; Vir

V = 10.0;  Size 5.6'x4.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

 

48" (5/14/12): I was amazed at the beauty of this face-on spiral with two well-defined spiral arms containing numerous HII knots and a third faint arm!  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright round core, ~30" diameter.  The slightly brighter and longer southern arm was attached at the north end of the core and winded gracefully counterclockwise for nearly 270°, terminating on the WSW side of the galaxy, 2.4' from center.  The arm displayed a high-contrast and was relatively narrow and sharply defined.  It contained two knots and brighter segments.  It broadened slightly as it unwound on the south side and appeared slightly mottled. The brightest HII knot was 10" in diameter and situated slightly further out, 1.9' SW of center.  Beyond this point, the last portion of the arm dimmed and ended at another 8" knot at the tip, 2.4' WSW of center.  The northern arm is attached on the south side of the core and winds counterclockwise to the north, though only curves gently.  A fairly bright knot (possibly double) is situated along this arm 1.4' NNW of center.  Another fainter knot is at the north tip of the arm, 1.8' from center.  A third, vaguely defined arm emerges to the south of the core and unwinds counterclockwise to the west.  A mag 16.5 star marks the tip of this arm.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): moderately bright, large, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, about 4'x3', sharp concentration with a very weakly concentrated halo which fades into the background.  Unusual appearance as suddenly rises to very small bright core 20"-30" diameter.  Spiral structure not seen.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5247 = H. II-297 = h1649 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 369) and logged "pF, L, mbM."  A later observation on 7 Feb 1787 (sweep 732) reads "pB, vL, the greatest part of it vF, unequally bright almost like two joined, the smaller being north preceding [perhaps a spiral arm?]."  On sweep 354, John Herschel recorded "vF; vL; psb to a brighter kind of nebula; a good type of its class.  It loses itself quite imperceptibly.  Diam of the faint neb = 2'; of the brighter part or nucl = 10 or 15". (See fig 39.)".

 

William Lassell observed this galaxy with his 48-inch from Malta on 20 May 1862 and called it "a very faint spiral Nebula".  His sketch (Plate VII, Fig. 29, in Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol 36) shows a graceful S-shaped spiral with two long arms opening widely from a small nucleus.  The NGC description "2 branched spiral" refers to Lassell's sketch. Joseph Turner observed it on 8 May 1878 with the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope with a 6-day moon in the sky and noted mottling, but no spiral structure.

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NGC 5248 = UGC 8616 = MCG +02-35-015 = CGCG 073-054 = PGC 48130

13 37 32.0 +08 53 07; Boo

V = 10.3;  Size 6.2'x4.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 110°

 

48" (5/15/12): beautiful two-armed spiral, very large, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE.  The brightest portion is ~3.8'x2.5' but the faint, outer spiral arms increase the diameter to at least 5'. The galaxy is sharply concentrated with an intense oval core.  The brighter spiral arm begins to the north of the core, wrapping counterclockwise around the east and southeast side and it is lit up by several fairly prominent knots.  The arm dims fairly abruptly on the southeast side but continues unwrapping to the south, extending outside and just beyond a mag 13.5-14 star 1.7' SSW of center.  A mag 15.3 star is 0.6' N of center, just outside where the arm emerges on the north side.

 

At least four distinct HII knots are in or near this arm, along with brighter segments.  The following designations are from the 1983 Hodge-Kennicutt "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies".  A faint knot, [HK 83] 26/28 is between the mag 15.3 star and the core.  The arm brightens along the east side of the core and include the faint knots [HK 83] 13/15, 28" NE of center, and [HK 83] 5/6 1.0' ESE of center.  The most prominent knot along with this arm is [HK 83] 9, 1.2' SE of center.

 

The western spiral arm (not traced directly to the core) stretches to the north and also contains several knots (HII complexes/star associations).  The first knot is [HK 83] 63, 0.8' W of center.  A large brighter knot or arc ~1.1' NW of center includes [HK 83] 74/77/81.  A faint knot, [HK 83] 66/71, is near the tip of this arm 1.5' NNW of center.  A similar knot, [HK 83] 53, is 25" SE, on line with the core.

 

24" (5/24/20): at 225x, 260x and 375x; beautiful two-armed spiral elongated NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very bright oval core that appeared mottled and a small brighter nucleus. A fairly well defined spiral arm was attached on the NE side, near an easy mag 15.3 star 0.7' N of center.  It curved clockwise along the east side and appeared somewhat diffuse, blending into the glow of the disc on the interior and exterior sides.  It terminated at a very diffuse HII patch ([HK 83] #9), 1.2' SE of center.

 

The western arm had a higher surface brightness with a very sharply defined outer edge and a mottled or uneven appearance.  It was easily traced at 225x and 375x with the brightest part detached from the core and extended almost due north, terminating 1.5' NW of center.  Both arms were immersed in the haze of the disc ~3.5'x2.5'. A mag 13.7 star is 1.7' S, just outside the halo.

 

18" (6/7/08): bright, large, elongated NW-SE, 3.5'x2.4', sharply concentrated with a very bright, round 25" core.  At 200x, two spiral arms extend out from the central region.  The brightest and longest arm is attached at the west side of the core and gradually sweeps to the north.  A couple of very faint, very small knots are embedded in this arm including one due west of the core.  On the east end of the core a matching arm is attached that curves a bit more as it swings towards the south in a counter-clockwise orientation.  A faint star is just north of the central region and a brighter star is 1.7' S of center.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): bright, large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 4'x3', well-defined small very bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1.7' SSW of center and a mag 15 star is embedded at the north edge of the halo.  Appears slightly mottled or dusty but spiral arms were not seen.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5248 = H. I-34 = h1650 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194).  His description reads, "vB, nearly R and cometic but the nucleus is large and seems to consist of bright close stars, resolvable."  On 1 May 1786 (sweep 560) he logged "vB, cL, E from np to sf, a small bright nucleus."

 

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 19 Apr 1855, logged "Large and pretty bright, Bright nucleus. Seen as in sketch, but not certain whether the lower branch joins the nucleus or is only the continuation of the upper curve."  On 29 March 1856 he recorded "The preceding arm does appear to originate from the nucleus, which is very bright and oval shaped."  The two brightest spiral arms as well as the brightest HII knot at the southeast end of the eastern arm, are clearly shown on Plate XXVIII, fig. 29 in Rosse's 1861 Monograph.

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NGC 5249 = UGC 8618 = MCG +03-35-015 = CGCG 102-028 = PGC 48134

13 37 37.6 +15 58 20; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6'.  Unconcentrated halo rises suddenly to a very small brighter core that appears offset to the NE side.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5249 = H. III-72 = h1651 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "a vS suspected nebula, eF.  Higher power immediately confirmed it."  Caroline's reduced position is 20 sec of RA west of UGC 8618.  John Herschel made three observations and his mean position is within 30".

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NGC 5250 = UGC 8594 = MCG +09-22-085 = CGCG 271-053 = PGC 47997

13 36 07.4 +51 14 09; UMa

V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very small bright core, moderate surface brightness.  Located 5.8' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 28814. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.4' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5250 = H. II-817 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "pB, S, R, very gradually brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 19 tsec east and 1' north of UGC 8594 (very similar offset as other nearby objects in the sweep).  There were no observations made by JH or at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5251 = MCG +05-32-044 = CGCG 161-090 = PGC 48119

13 37 24.8 +27 25 09; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  IC 4307 is located 15' SW.  A wide mag 8.2/11.5 double is 15' SE.  Located 85' SW of M3!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5251 = H. III-369 = h1652 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396). He recorded "Suspected, eF, vS.  240x showed it larger and a little extended, but so obscure as not to remove all doubt."  His position was poor but John Herschel measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5252 = UGC 8622 = MCG +01-35-022 = CGCG 045-056 = VV 100 = PGC 48189

13 38 16.0 +04 32 32; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5246 lies 30' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5252 = H. III-505 = h1653 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "vF, vS, R."  On sweep 142, John Herschel noted "F; R; bM; 30"."

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NGC 5253 = ESO 445-004 = MCG -05-32-060 = UGCA 369 = PGC 48334

13 39 56.0 -31 38 24; Cen

V = 10.4;  Size 5.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 43°

 

48" (4/29/22): at 488x; very bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:2  SW-NE, ~2.5'x1.0' ,  Strong concentration with a very bright elongated core. A very bright elongated knot is at the NNE end of the core (Super Star Cluster #5 and HII region).  The outer halo is uneven.

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  Very strong concentration with an intensely luminous 20" core.  The outer extent increased with averted vision and faded at the tips, with overall dimensions of ~2.0'x0.7'.  A very small bright knot is at the NE edge of the core and appeared similar to a nearly stellar nucleus (though offset from center), particularly using direct vision.

 

This small starburst galaxy is classified as a "Blue Dwarf" and harbors Super Star Clusters (SSC) near its nucleus.  NGC 5253 is part of the M83/Cen A complex and lies 1.9° SSE of M83.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): bright, elongated, very bright core.

 

8" (5/21/82): bright, elongated SW-NE, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5253 = H. II-638 = D 623 = h3526 on 15 Mar 1787 (sweep 711).  He recorded "pretty bright, small, little extended from sp to nf."  His position is on the south side of the galaxy.  In 2000 coordinates, NGC 5253 is the third most southerly object Herschel discovered, but precessing the position back to 1787, it's the 7th most southerly, culminating 8° high on the meridian.  It's also the only galaxy he discovered in Centaurus.

 

James Dunlop observed this galaxy on 7 May 1826: "a very small and very bright nebula, very much resembling a small star, surrounded by a very strong burr; this is a singular body."  Dunlop made 2 observations and his position is 3' W of center. John Herschel reported it from the Cape of Good Hope as "vB, mE, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 2.5' long, 1' broad."

 

Z Cen = SN 1895B was the second “nova” (now known to be a supernova) to be discovered in a "spiral nebula".  It was discovered on 12 Dec 1895 by Williamina Fleming while examining a photograph of NGC 5253 taken earlier on 6 July. There was no trace of the "nova" on plates taken on 21 May to 14 June.  It reached a maximum brightness of mag 8.0 before fading.

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NGC 5254 = MCG -02-35-012 = PGC 48307

13 39 37.9 -11 29 38; Vir

V = 12.2;  Size 3.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 125°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 3.0'x1.5', fairly low even surface brightness.  A nice mag 12/13 double at 15" separation lies 5.5' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5254 = h3527 on 6 May 1836 and recorded "pB; L; pmE; gradually little brighter middle; 2' l; 1 3/4' br."  His position is accurate.

 

Harold Knox-Shaw first identified this galaxy as an spiral in 1915, based on a photograph taken with the 30" reflector at the Helwan Observatory between 1912-14.

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NGC 5255 = MCG +10-19-098 = CGCG 294-051 = PGC 48124

13 37 18.0 +57 06 32; UMa

V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 20°

 

18" (6/21/03): faint, very small.  Initially appeared as a 12" knot, but then very faint extensions were glimpsed increasing the dimensions to 0.5'x0.2'.  So, this galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core. A mag 10.5 star is 1.7' following.  HCG 66A lies 16' NE!

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.2', very small bright core.  Located 1.7' W of a mag 10.5 star.  HCG 66 lies 16' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5255 = H. III-803 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He recorded "extremely faint, very small.  I was too late to verify it with 300x, I had however a single glimpse which seemed to verify it."  His position is accurate to within 2' (typical error).  On 24 Apr 789 (sweep 926) he logged "Suspected, eF, vS, but may be a deception; probably 2 small close stars."  This galaxy was not observed by JH nor found by Bigourdan.  The GC and NGC position is a mean of sweep 924 and 926 and is 16 sec of RA too large.

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NGC 5256 = Mrk 266 = UGC 8632 = MCG +08-25-031 = CGCG 246-021 = I Zw 67 = VV 1642 = PGC 48192 = LEDA 93123

13 38 17.6 +48 16 37; UMa

V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

48" (5/10/18): at 488x; fairly bright or bright, roundish, very strong concentration with two easily visible nucleus separated by 10".  The brighter (north-northeast) core is ~8"-10" with a sharp stellar nucleus.  The fainter (south-southwest) core is 6"-8" diameter. The outer halo has a low surface brightness.  HJ 2667, a 14" pair of mag 11 stars, lies 5.6' WSW.  MCG +08-25-030, situated 1' SE of this pair, appeared moderately bright, elongated ~2:1 NW-SE, ~20"x10".

 

24" (6/4/16): at 322x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 40"x30", brighter ill-defined core, uneven surface brightness.  Occasionally, a brighter quasi-stellar knot (nucleus of the merged companion) would pop on the northeast end of the glow [the nuclei are separated by just 10"!].  HJ 2667, a wide pair (14") of mag 11 stars, lies 5.6' WSW.

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', irregular surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 1.0' NW of center.  Located 5.5' ENE of an evenly matched pair (HJ 2667) of mag 11 stars at 14" separation.

 

This is a well-studied merging system consisting of a Seyfert 2 and a LINER galaxy with the compact nuclei separated by just 10" [physical separation ~15,000 l.y.].

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5256 = H. III-673 = h1656 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "cF, S, R, lE."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; vS; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"; in field with a double star [HJ 2667]."  His position is 1' too far north.

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NGC 5257 = Arp 240 NED1 = VV 55b = Holm 532a = UGC 8641 = MCG +00-35-015 = CGCG 017-055 = PGC 48330

13 39 52.9 +00 50 24; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

 

82" (5/5/19, McDonald Observatory): at 613x; the view under subpar conditions in the 82" was similar to the view 3 years ago in Jimi's 48".  The most striking feature are two thin bright spiral arms that appear as very bright arcs, like two parentheses enclosing the fainter central region.  A diffuse tidal arm extends from the north side to the NE and nearly reaches a mag 15 star.  On the SW side a very low surface brightness "bridge" connects NGC 5257 with NGC 5258.

 

48" (5/4/16): at 610x; very bright, fairly large, striking two armed-spiral.  The central portion only extends ~35", but contains a fascinating structure.  Along the southwest and northeast flanks are sharp-edged prominent "arms", appearing as thin, high surface brightness arcs, with the southern arc slightly brighter.  Both "arms" are slightly convex, appearing like a close pair of parenthesis enclosing the central region!  The northern arm continues as a fainter, but easily visible, fairly thin arc extending west-northwest, and ends just before reaching a mag 15 star [1.7' WNW of center].  A thin, very low surface brightness arm extends west from the southern "parenthesis" towards NGC 5258 (1.4' ESE), but stops just short.  The tip-to-tip distance between the two arms is ~1.6'.

 

On the inside of the two bright "arcs" (blue star-forming arms) there appear to be two thin dust lanes as the surface brightness drops dramatically.  At the center is a fairly faint stellar nucleus.  The overall appearance is very unusual as the surface brightness of the core region is lower than the thin pair of symmetrical arms.

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is off the west side 1.7' from the center.  Forms a close, interacting pair (Arp 240) with NGC 5258 1.3' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5257 = H. II-895 = h1654, along with NGC 5258, on 13 May 1793 (sweep 1044). He noted "faint, small, irregularly round."  John Herschel made one observation: "The first of 2 comprising a double nebula; both vF; R; bM.  The smaller of the two."

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NGC 5258 = Arp 240 NED2 = VV 55a = Holm 532b = UGC 8645 = MCG +00-35-016 = CGCG 017-056 = PGC 48338

13 39 57.7 +00 49 51; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 154°

 

82" (5/5/19, McDonald Observatory): at 613x; NGC 5258 is the eastern member of a dramatic interacting pair (Arp 240 = VV 55) with NGC 5257 directly west.  The two galaxies are connected by a very low surface brightness bridge that spans the eastern spiral arm in NGC 5257 and the western arm in NGC 5258.  NGC 5258 was strongly concentrated with a bright, mottled core.  There was a bright region in the spiral arm to the north of the core, midway to a mag 15.5 star.  An obvious spiral arm swept east from the south side of the galaxy. The northern arm is much less evident, mainly just south and west of the mag 15.5 star, but immediately dims into a very low surface brightness bridge stretching to the NGC 5257.

 

48" (5/4/16): at 610x; bright, fairly large, two-armed spiral that is interacting with NGC 5257.  The main body is elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.1'x0.35', and is well concentrated with a fairly small, roundish, brighter core.  A mag 15.5 star is at the NNW edge and an apparent HII region is visible midway between the core and this star, along the major axis.  A strong spiral arm is easy visible attached to the southwest end.  It hooks sharply to the east and gradually fades, stretching 40"-45" E.  A dim shorter arm is attached on the northeast end and curls west near the mag 15.5 star, extending perhaps 20" in the direction of NGC 5257.

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, brighter along the major axis.  Located 4.2' NW of mag 9.5 SAO 120058.  NGC 5258 has a slightly higher surface brightness than its close companion NGC 5257, just 1.5' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5258 = H. II-896 = h1655, along with NGC 5257, on 13 May 1793 (sweep 1044). He noted "faint, small, irregularly round."  John Herschel called it the larger of the pair, but both were "vF; R; bM."

 

On 24 Apr 1857 Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded, "the preceding one [NGC 5257] is slightly oval in form and the followiong one [NGC 5258] is mE nearly north-south and has a star at n end.  Both look very resolvable.  No nuclei, not vF."  A sketch made on 26 Apr 1878, shows NGC 5258 as having an irregular shape (like a flying bat) and concave to the east.

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NGC 5259 = MCG +05-32-052 = CGCG 161-105 = Holm 533a = PGC 48292

13 39 24.6 +30 59 26; CVn

V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.65'

 

24" (5/20/17): at 200x; faint, small, round, 25"-30" diameter, very small brighter nucleus.  Two 15th magnitude stars lie 2' NW.  Located 11' W of mag 6.2 HD 119035.  Using 375x an extremely faint and small merging companion (Holm 533B = NGC 5259 NED1) was often visible with averted vision at the northwest edge of the halo. It appeared as a quasi-stellar knot, at most 5" diameter and with concentration could be held perhaps 1/2 the time.  The separation of this merging pair is 19" (between nuclei) with a projected distance of 77,500 l.y.

 

17.5" (6/12/99): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, very weak concentration.  Two mag 14.5-15 stars lie 2' NW.  Located 11' W of mag 6.2 SAO 63676.  A very faint, compact companion on the NW edge was not noticed.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5259 on 27 Apr 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  He confirmed the observation the next night.  He noted the mag 6.2 star (called mag 8-9) ~12' east and 1.5' north and measured an accurate position.

 

The RNGC coded description reads "E, R, BM, *CLOSE NPR", but the "star close north preceding" is a compact meging companion.

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NGC 5260 = ESO 509-092 = MCG -04-32-050 = PGC 48371

13 40 19.8 -23 51 29; Hya

V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, very weak concentration with a low surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is just off the following side 1.1' from center.  This star is part of a distinctive string of stars running N-S including two mag 13 stars to north and several brighter stars to the south.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5260 = Sw. 1-24 on 6 Apr 1885 and recorded "eF; pL; precedes by 6 sec the middle star in a line north and south."  There is nothing at his position, but 30 sec of RA west and 1.7' north is ESO 509-092 = PGC 48371, and his description of the nearby stars clinches this identification.  This is a beautiful face-on barred spiral.

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NGC 5261 = CGCG 045-067 = PGC 48360

13 40 16.1 +05 04 34; Vir

V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  PA = 145°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): very faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4' ENE of a mag 9.5 star.  A curving arc of four equally spaced mag 12-13.5 stars follows.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5261 = h1657 on 17 Apr 1830 and recorded "vF; R; among some pB stars."

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NGC 5262 = UGC 8606 = CGCG 353-022 = PGC 47923

13 35 38.6 +75 02 22; UMi

V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 14°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, 0.7'x0.5' SSW-NNE, weak even concentration.  Just 2' NE is an easy, nearly collinear triple star of mag 13/14 stars [19" and 20" separation].  Forms a pair with UGC 8595 2' WSW.  The companion is extremely faint, very small, 0.3x0.2', low surface brightness.  A mag 15.5 star is just visible at the NW tip.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5262 = h1660 on 5 May 1831 and logged "eF; S; sky perfectly clear."  His position matches UGC 8606.

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NGC 5263 = UGC 8648 = MCG +05-32-058 = CGCG 161-113 = PGC 48333

13 39 55.6 +28 24 01; CVn

V = 13.3;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 26°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.3', no central brightening.  Located 3.1' NNE of mag 9.5 SAO 82932.  Also, the galaxy is 30' preceding the beautiful globular cluster M3 in the same low power field!  Easy to view both at 100x with a 20mm Nagler.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5263 = H. III-370 = h1658 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396). He recorded "very faint, small, much extended nearly in the meridian [N-S]."  John Herschel noted "pB; has a * 9m 4' distance; 45° sp."  This galaxy was observed on 5 nights by Lord Rosse's assistants.

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NGC 5264 = ESO 445-012 = MCG -05-32-066 = UGCA 370 = DDO 242 = LGG 355-002 = PGC 48467

13 41 36.5 -29 54 43; Hya

V = 12.0;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 65°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, fairly large, 2.5'x1.5' WSW-ENE.  Low surface brightness with a very weak concentration, halo fades into background.  Located 5' following the colored double star h4605 (9/11 at 17") and one degree east of M83.  A mag 13 star is just off the following end 1.6' from center.  Member of the M83 group.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5264 = h3528 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; very little brighter middle; 80"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5265 = MCG +06-30-068 = CGCG 190-040 = PGC 48354

13 40 09.1 +36 51 40; CVn

V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4

 

17.5" (6/12/99): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.45', weak concentration to round core.  A mag 14 star is attached at the north end 27" from center.  Located 8.5' S of mag 9 SAO 63677.  A string of five stars including two wide mag 13 and 14 pairs leads directly from the mag 9 star to NGC 5265.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5265 = H. III-410 = h1659 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "vF, S, lE, er."  John Herschel made two observations and reported on sweep 71 "F; pL; r; has a star near."

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NGC 5266 = ESO 220-033 = AM 1339-475 = LGG 356-003 = PGC 48593

13 43 02.0 -48 10 11; Cen

V = 11.1;  Size 3.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 103°

 

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 212x, moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright nucleus.  With careful viewing a very faint, low surface brightness outer halo reached two mag 13.5 stars on the south side, increasing the diameter to 2.0'x1.3'.  This galaxy is an unusual "dust lane elliptical" or polar ring galaxy.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5266 = h3529 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "B; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 45"; has 3 stars 14m near."  His mean position (2 observations) is accurate.

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NGC 5267 = UGC 8655 = MCG +07-28-049 = CGCG 218-036 = PGC 48393

13 40 39.9 +38 47 39; CVn

V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 56°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Situated between two mag 12.5-13.5 stars 2.3' NW and 2.8' SE.  MCG +07-28-048 lies 6.6' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5267 = h1661 on 28 Apr 1827 and recorded "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  He observed this galaxy on 4 different sweeps.

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NGC 5268

13 42 12.6 -13 51 34; Vir

 

= *, Carlson and Corwin.

 

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 5268 = Au 32 on 17 Jan 1855 with the 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland.  While making observations for the comprehensive Markree Ecliptic Catalogue, Cooper or assistant Andrew Graham noted it as possibly a nebulous star.  All 7 objects listed as nebulous at the Markree Observatory are single or multiple stars.

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NGC 5269 = ESO 097-004

13 44 44 -62 55 00; Cen

Size 3'

 

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): ~20 stars resolved in a 2.5' triangular region, including two mag 11-11.5 stars  along the east side and a number of mag 12 stars.  Not difficult to identify as fairly detached in the field but very unimpressive and is probably an unrelated asterism.  Most of the stars are in a southwest to northeast stream about 2.5' long and 30" wide.  Located 5' NE of mag 8.6 HD 119271 and 13' due west of NGC 5281, a bright open cluster!

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5269 = h3530 on 24 Apr 1835 (sweep 578) and recorded "Cl class VII; poor, L, loose ireg fig, fills field, st 12m."  His position corresponds with a small group of stars about 13' west of NGC 5281.  This object is probably just a Milky Way field and it is not listed in WEBDA as an open cluster.  The RNGC description reads "NOCL ?"

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NGC 5270 = UGC 8673 = MCG +01-35-031 = CGCG 045-075 = PGC 48527

13 42 10.9 +04 15 45; Vir

V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration, low surface brightness.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5270 = h1662 on 7 Apr 1828 and noted "eF; S; between 2 stars."  His position and description matches UGC 8673.

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NGC 5271 = MCG +05-32-065 = CGCG 161-120 = PGC 48477

13 41 42.4 +30 07 31; CVn

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, no concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 1.3' WNW.  First in a group of faint galaxies including NGC 5274, 5275, 5277, 5280, 5282.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5271 = St. 12-50 on 19 May 1881.  His reduced position (22 May) is accurate.  First in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

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NGC 5272 = M3

13 42 11.4 +28 22 38; CVn

V = 6.3;  Size 16.2';  Surf Br = 0.0

 

82" (5/4/19, McDonald Observatory): at 400x, the 10' field was completely filled with pinpoint stars.  The surprise was the large number of stars with visible colors; most were orange/red stars but there appeared to be a number of blue stars!

 

48" (4/19/17): at 375x the 16' field was plastered with an uncountable number of stars.  I noticed the brightest star in the core had an orange hue.

 

13.1" (several dates from 5/14/83 to 5/27/84): stunning, several hundred stars resolved at 220x including the dense core.

 

8" (7/9/80 to 5/26/84):at 165x and higher mag: the outer halo is well resolved into several lanes converging to an intense core.  A few faint stars are resolved on the edge of the core.

 

Charles Messier discovered M3 = NGC 5272 = h1663 on 3 May 1764.  He wrote "it doesn't contain any star, its center is brilliant, & its light is gradually fading away, it is round; in a beautiful [dark] sky, one can see it in a telescope of 1-foot [focal length]."  He noted a diameter of about 3'.

 

William Herschel made a number of observations with his various telescopes, the earliest on 6 Mar 1783 with his 6.2" during his Third Star Review, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.  In 1799 he used his 10-foot telescope [8" or 9" aperture] at 120x, and noted "with an aperture of 4 inches it is resolvable; with 5 easily resolvable; with 6 it is resolvable; with 7 and all open the stars may be easily perceived."

 

John Herschel recorded (sweep 417) "A most superb object, diam = 10 seconds of time in RA. Not less than 1000 stars 11m and under. They run into a blaze at the centre, and form as it were radiating lines and pointed projections from the mass, with many stragglers."

 

Several observation at Birr Castle noted dark lanes or dark notes in the cluster.  On 16 Feb 1869, C.E. Burton recorded "Radiating branches somewhat resembling a St. Andrew's cross, central mass globular.  There seemed to be a bifurcated dark lane in the north segment of the nucleus."  On 21 Apr 1873, Ralph Copeland noted "Several small dark holes on the nf side of the central mass."

 

In 1889, Edward Pickering discovered the first cluster variable (pulsating W Vir star) on plates taken in May and June by Edward King at Harvard's "Wilson Peak" observatory in southern California.  The variability was confirmed visually at Cambridge in the following months.

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NGC 5273 = IC 895 = UGC 8675 = MCG +06-30-072 = CGCG 190-041 = Holm 535a = PGC 48521

13 42 08.4 +35 39 16; CVn

V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~2.5'x2.0'.  Fairly low surface brightness halo contains a well-defined core gradually increasing to a stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5276 3.3' SE.

 

8" (5/21/82): faint, small, small bright nucleus with a fainter outer halo.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5273 = H. I-98 = h1664 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  He recorded it as "considerably bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, round..  The brightness diminishing very gradually."  A sketch (fig. 18) was including in his 1811 PT publication as an example of a nebulae which was gradually brighter in the middle.

 

John Herschel made three observations, describing it on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) as "B; R; first g and the pretty suddenly brighter middle; 50"."  Nearby NGC 5276 was discovered at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5274 = MCG +05-32-066 = CGCG 161-125 = WBL 464-002 = PGC 48536

13 42 23.3 +29 50 52; CVn

V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (6/7/97): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter.  Observation confused by a couple of nearby mag 15 stars or compact companions.  Forms a similar close pair with NGC 5275 1.4' S, although the overall surface brightness of NGC 5274 is lower.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5274 = St. 12-51 on 19 May 1881.  His reduced position on 25 May 1881 is accurate.

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NGC 5275 = MCG +05-32-067 = CGCG 161-124 = VV 543 = WBL 464-001 = PGC 48544

13 42 23.6 +29 49 29; CVn

V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, brighter core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5274 1.4' N.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5275 = St. 12-52 on 19 May 1881.  His reduced position on 25 May 1881 matches CGCG 161-124.

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NGC 5276 = UGC 8680 = MCG +06-30-074 = CGCG 190-043 = Holm 535b = PGC 48542

13 42 22.0 +35 37 27; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 153°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Well-concentrated with a small brighter core with faint extensions.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 5273  3.3' NW.

 

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5276 on 27 Mar 1856. While observing NGC 5273 he logged "about 2' or 3' following [NGC 5273] I found a F, S neb, E np sf and little brighter in the middle."  Based on his description, the NGC position for NGC 5276 is slightly north of NGC 5273, although it is actually southeast.

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NGC 5277 = CGCG 161-129 = WBL 464-003 = PGC 48563

13 42 38.4 +29 57 16; CVn

V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (6/7/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Follows a group of four stars in a rectangular group (2 mag 12 + 2 mag 14) by ~4'.  In field with NGC 5274, 5275 and 5280.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5277 = St. 12-53 on 19 May 1881.  His reduced position on 23 May 1881 is accurate.

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NGC 5278 = Arp 239 NED1 = VV 19a = UGC 8677 = MCG +09-22-101 = Mrk 271a = CGCG 271-058 NED1 = I Zw 69a = PGC 48473

13 41 39.7 +55 40 14; UMa

V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 50°

 

48" (5/3/19): at 545x and 813x; bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core.  This is an interacting (Arp 239 = VV 19) one-armed spiral with a diffuse bridge to NGC 5279 0.6' ENE of center.  The single arm wraps tightly around the south side to the west and then separates on the north side.  There was a brightening along the south edge that gave the impression of an arm, though it hugged the core too tightly to be resolved.  But starting on the west side a straight spiral arm was evident extending NE.  The arm dimmed suddenly into low surface brightness haze that extended further east to the north side of NGC 5279, merging with its northern spiral arm.  The pair is located 8' SW of mag 6.9 HD 119549.

 

MCG +09-22-094, located 2.8' WNW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very thin edge-on ~6:1 N-S, ~0.6'x0.1', low even surface brightness.

UGC 8671, located 2.7' SW, appeared bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core!

AGC 1783, with up to 18 ultra-dim IC members observed by Barnard and Burnham, is ~15' ESE.

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, ~36"x27", brighter elongated core. I saw a hint of the spiral arm on the north side, but no indication of the bridge connecting to NGC 5279.

 

UGC 8671, located 2.7' SW, was dominated by a 13th magnitude quasi-stellar nucleus.  The halo was barely detected as a very diffuse, low surface brightness glow mainly west of the nucleus.

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 30"x25", weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  The surface appears slightly irregular or mottled.  This is the brighter southwestern member of an interacting double system (Arp 239) with NGC 5279, barely off the east end.  A mag 6.9 star lies 8' ENE, but it was easy to keep it out of the field.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, very weakly concentrated core.  Forms a double system with NGC 5279 just off the ENE edge 40" between centers.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' NNW.  Located 8.1' WSW of mag 6.9 SAO 28858.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5278 = H. II-798 = h1665 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "pB, E, 1 1/2' long and 1/2' br."  His position is 2' northwest of this double system.  JH resolved it and recorded "vF; double neb; pos = 73° by microm; a large star follows dist = 15' +/-."  The field was sketched on 9 Apr 1874 at Birr Castle and a "star" labeled "epsilon" actually corresponds with UGC 8671.

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NGC 5279 = Arp 239 NED2 = VV 19b = UGC 8678 = MCG +09-22-102 = Mrk 271b = CGCG 271-058 NED2 = I Zw 69b = PGC 48482

13 41 43.7 +55 40 24; UMa

V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5

 

48" (5/3/19): at 545x and 813x: fairly bright, small, brighter nucleus, 0.4'x0.3'.  Spiral structure evident with an arm faintly visible on the east side extending north and merging into the dim tidal bridge to the north side of NGC 5279.  The tidal bridge was seen as low surface brightness haze connecting to an easy spiral arm on the north side of NGC 5278.

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x: fairly faint, small, round, 15"-20" diameter, stellar nucleus.  Fainter component of an interacting pair (Arp 239) with NGC 5278 [36" between centers].

 

18" (4/26/08): faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, too small for any other details.  Just resolved off the ENE end of NGC 5278 (35" between centers).  This is an M51-type interacting pair (Arp 239), though there was no sign of the connecting arm.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, even surface brightness.  Located just off the east edge of larger and brighter NGC 5278.  On photos NGC 5279 appears to be embedded at the end of a spiral arm of NGC 5278.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5279 = h1665a on 4 May 1831 and described a "vF; double neb; pos = 73° by micrometer."  William Herschel discovered the brighter southwestern component on 14 Apr 1789.  John Herschel only included only a single entry in the GC (3639), though described this system as a double or bi-nuclear.

 

Lawrence Parsons (the 4th Earl of Rosse) resolved the pair again on 2 May 1872 and noted a "D neb, sp one B, pos 71.8°, dist 39".  In the NGC, Dreyer equated NGC 5279 with h1665a and listed LdR* (Lawrence Parsons) in the "Other Observers" column to acknowledge JH's prior discovery.

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NGC 5280 = MCG +05-32-072 = CGCG 161-131 = WBL 464-005 = PGC 48580

13 42 55.5 +29 52 07; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5277 lies 6' NW and the NGC 5274/5275 pair is ~7' W.  A very faint companion 48" SW (MCG +5-32-73) was not seen.  The UGC 8692 chain lies 20' ENE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5280 = St. 12-54 on 26 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 4' to the east. His published micrometric position was made 11 years later on 23 May 1881.

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NGC 5281 = ESO 097-005 = OCL-911

13 46 35 -62 55 00; Cen

V = 5.9;  Size 5'

 

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very bright, striking cluster includes a 2' string containing (from SW to NE) four stars mag 8.4, 7.9, 8.5 and 6.6 (at the NE end).  A 2' linear chain of 7 mag 10-11 stars intersects these bright stars.  The central 4'-5' region contains ~50 stars, but many stars are scattered outside this region, extending the size to roughly 10'.  NGC 5269 (probably an asterism) lies 12.5' W.

 

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this large, rich cluster was striking at 128x.  A curving 2' string of four stars mag 6.6-8.6 oriented SW-NE dominates the view, with a pale yellow star and an orange star at opposite ends adding color.  Overall, perhaps 150 stars are visible (many mag 11-12) in an irregular 10' region although the boundaries are arbitrary as the cluster blends into the surrounding fields.  Most of the brighter stars are within a 3' region and in fact the catalogued diameter is only 5'.  At 228x, another fainter layer of 15th magnitude stars emerged from the background.

 

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 5281 = Lac I-7 = D 273 = h3531 in 1751-1752 during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  With a 1/2" telescope at 8x he noted a "small indistinct spot."

 

James Dunlop made 7 observations, starting 25 May 1826, and described "a curved line of small stars, about 1.5' long, with a star of the 7th mag in the north extremity; a group of extremely minute stars on the preceding side of the crescent, and a multitude of very minute stars extended preceding and following."  (Fig. 11)

 

On 16 Jun 1835 (sweep 596), John Herschel called it "a brilliant, compact, milky way cluster.  Rich; irreg fig; gradually brighter in the middle; 10' stars 10, 11 and 12m."

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NGC 5282 = UGC 8687 = MCG +05-32-075 = CGCG 161-133 = PGC 48614

13 43 24.8 +30 04 10; CVn

V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located 2.0' SE of a mag 10 star.  Last in a group of 6 NGC galaxies (WBL 464) including NGC 5274, 5275, 5277, 5280.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5282 = St. 12-55 on 26 Apr 1876 (page missing from log).  His pubished position in list 12 (#55) was reduced on 22 May 1881 and is accurate.

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NGC 5283 = UGC 8672 = MCG +11-17-007 = CGCG 317-006 = Mrk 270 = PGC 48425

13 41 05.7 +67 40 20; Dra

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Increases to a bright core and occasional stellar nucleus (this is a Seyfert galaxy!).  Collinear with a mag 14 star 2.4' NE and a mag 10.5 star 4.7' NE.  Another mag 14 star lies 2.5' W.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5283 on 7 Oct 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is very accurate.  MCG +11-17-007 is not labeled NGC 5283.

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NGC 5284 = ESO 133-004

13 47 23 -59 09; Cen

Size 22'x15'

 

18" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 79x (62' field); this large Milky Way field (demonstrated to be a random collection of stars) is located ~25' ENE of a wide, bright double star (DUN 142 = 6.5/7.6 at 33").  It roughly extends 25' in diameter and appears rectangular in outline, though is not detached in the wider field.  The group contains a large number of mag 11.5-13 stars.  A fairly well defined 20' string of stars oriented NW-SE appears to define the southern boundary and runs along the line from DUN 142 and mag 7.3 HD 120042 to the southeast.  The 25' region to the north of this string contains scores of visible stars but too difficult to count.  NGC 5284 was not impressive or stood out, though was somewhat richer than the region directly to the east.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5284 = h3532 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded a "Cl class VIII; L; v rich; loosely sc; stars 7,8,...16m; it is an outlier of the milky way, but very rich and insulated."  His position corresponds with the brightest mag 9 star.

 

Harold Corwin notes "there is a Milky Way star cloud, about 30' by 20', centered about 45 seconds of time following Herschel's position."  ESO states "Not found" and the RNGC description reads "NOCL?"

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NGC 5285 = CGCG 017-065 = PGC 48688

13 44 25.7 +02 06 35; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (4/28/90): very faint, very small, elongated N-S.  A mag 12 star lies 3.0' N.  Located 7.1' SE of mag 9.5 SAO 120090.

 

This galaxy has a light-travel time of nearly 1 billion years! (~960 million l.y.)

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5285 = St. 11-20 on 29 Apr 1881 (date position reduced).  Yann Pothier claims that according to Stephan's files, the original discovery date was on 3 May 1867, though his rough position was very poor.

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NGC 5286 = ESO 220-038

13 46 26.5 -51 22 24; Cen

V = 7.2;  Size 9.1';  Surf Br = 0.7

 

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this globular appeared very bright, moderately large  and well-condensed with an intense, mottled core.  At 200x, 15-25 14th magnitude stars popped in an out of view (some in chains), though only a handful were easily resolved, including a brighter star just east of the core.  NGC 5286 is located 4' NW of yellow 4.7-magnitude M Centauri in the same high power field!  It was easily visible in the 9x50 finder, though small.  NGC 5307, a fairly bright planetary, lies 44' ENE.

 

8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): moderately bright, fairly small, 2.5' diameter, round, evenly concentrated to a bright central region and a small bright core, mottled halo, one brighter mag 12 star on the SE side.  On the verge of resolution although viewed at only 8° elevation.  Mag 4.7 M Centauri with a mag 11 companion at 40" separation is located just 4.1' SE of the core!

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5286 = D 388 = h3533 on 29 Apr 1826, his second night recording deep sky objects.  The same night he also recorded NGC 4945 and Centaurus A.  Based on 6 observations his summary description reads, "a bright exceedingly well-defined rather elliptical nebula, about 1' diameter, exceedingly condensed almost to the very edge, and gradually a little brighter to the centre. This is about 6' north of M Centauri - I have a strong suspicion that this is resolvable into stars."

 

John Herschel observed it on two sweeps, recording on 31 Mar 1835 "very bright; gradually much brighter to the middle; 2.5' or 3' diameter; resolved into 15th mag stars; has one star 12th mag S.f.; the centre near the edge. It is in the field with Brisbane 4618 a star of 6th mag."  On his second sweep he reported, "bright; round; very gradually brighter to the middle; resolved; diam. 2'; stars of 16th mag; a bright star 7th mag in field."

 

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NGC 5287 = PGC 48741

13 44 52.5 +29 46 15; CVn

V = 15.0;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): extremely faint and small, 10" diameter.  The difficult galaxy is adjacent to a mag 15 star attached on the north side [11" from center], which confuses the observation further!  Located 2.3' ESE of a mag 12.5 star.  One of the brightest galaxies in AGC 1781.  The UGC 8692 chain lies 10' NW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5287 = St. 12-56 on 19 May 1881.  His reduced position (on 25 May) matches PGC 48741, a very faint galaxy with a star attached at the north edge.  Despite the good NGC position, the MCG, PGC, Deep Sky Field Guide and Megastar misidentify a faint double galaxy (MCG +05-32-079) about 3' NNE as NGC 5287.

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NGC 5288 = Cr 278 = ESO 097-007

13 48 46 -64 41 08; Cir

Size 4'

 

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this is a faint but fairly distinctive group of nearly two dozen mag 12.5-14 stars elongated SSW-NNE. It stands out well, being detached in the general field and situated just 3' NE of a yellow mag 7.9 star (HD 119941) that highlights this delicate group.  At 228x, the cluster is somewhat concentrated with a roundish swarm of ~15 stars in the center and two strings of several stars extending in opposite directions to the SSW and NNE giving an overall size of 4'x2'.  A number of mag 11-12 stars pepper the surrounding 29' field at 128x.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5288 = h3534 on 3 Apr 1835 and recorded "a faint, oblong, elliptic cluster of stars 14m; gradually little brighter middle; 4' l; 2 1/2' br."  On a second sweep he logged "a small, irreg R, very compact knot of milky way; gradually very little brighter middle; stars 14m; a * 8m precedes."

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NGC 5289 = UGC 8699 = MCG +07-28-058 = CGCG 218-042 = LGG 361-001 = PGC 48749

13 45 08.9 +41 30 12; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint, thin edge-on 6:1 WNW-ESE, 1.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a nearly stellar core.  In same field with brighter edge-on NGC 5290 13' N.  Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

8" (5/27/84): very faint, small, elongated ~E-W.  Accidentally picked up viewing NGC 5290 13' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5289 = H. II-668 = h1666 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "F, E in the parallel [E-W]; a small miniature of the following [NGC 5290]."

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NGC 5290 = UGC 8700 = MCG +07-28-061 = CGCG 218-043 = LGG 361-002 = PGC 48767

13 45 19.2 +41 42 46; CVn

V = 12.5;  Size 3.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): moderately bright, pretty edge-on E-W, ~3.5'x0.5'.  Lens-shape with bright bulging core and extensions fade and taper at ends.   Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

8" (5/27/84): faint, small, easily visible, elongated 3:1 almost exactly E-W.  NGC 5289 is 13' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5290 = H. I-170 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 717).  His description reads, "pB, E, about 2' long.  A small nucleus in the middle nearly stellar."  On 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) he noted, "cB, E nearly in the parallel."

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NGC 5291 = ESO 445-030 = MCG -05-33-006 = LGG 357-023 =  PGC 48893

13 47 24.5 -30 24 25; Cen

V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 168°

 

48" (4/29/22): at 488x; pretty bright, oval 2:1 or perhaps 5:2 NNW-SSE, ~45"x18", bright core.  The unusual, irregular ring "Seashell Galaxy" is 0.6' SSW and nearly attached at the south end.  A mag 10.5/10.9 pair at 20" separation (HJ 4613) is 2' WNW.

 

The Seashell (MCG -5-33-5) appeared moderately bright, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, at least 30" diameter. Irregular shape with a small extension on the NE end in the direction of the south end of NGC 5291.

 

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms a double system with the disrupted galaxy MCG -05-33-005 (known as the Seashell Galaxy) just 0.6' SSW.  MCG -05-33-005 appeared very faint, very small, round, nearly attached to the south end of NGC 5291.  The nickname is due to its unusual "whelk" appearance on photographs.  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5291 = h3535 on 8 May 1834 and recorded "vF; R; very little brighter middle; follows a bright double star."  His position is 1' too far north.

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NGC 5292 = ESO 445-031 = MCG -05-33-008 = LGG 357-008 = PGC 48909

13 47 39.6 -30 56 20; Cen

V = 11.9;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, gradually brighter halo, bright core.  Two mag 13-14 stars are collinear to the NE (the closer star is 1.0' from center).  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5292 = h3536 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; has 2 or 3 stars close to it."  His position is 1' too far north (same offset as NGC 5191).

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NGC 5293 = UGC 8710 = MCG +03-35-024 = CGCG 102-057 = PGC 48854

13 46 52.7 +16 16 23; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, moderately large, irregularly round, low surface brightness, ill-defined halo, very weak concentration.  Located 2.6' N of a mag 13 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5293 = H. V-6 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "eF, vL, r."  His position is 10 sec of RA west and 2.3' north of UGC 8710.  In the Collected Papers of WH, there is a note stating "The place of this neb. Is not determined wit accuracy.  No modern observations known."  Dreyer adds that "Tempel (AN 2522) found only a F, vS neb here."

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NGC 5294 = CGCG 271-061 = CGCG 272-006 = PGC 48761

13 45 18.1 +55 17 26; UMa

V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, requires averted vision.  A mag 15.5 is just off the NW edge, 25" from center and requires careful viewing to separate from the faint glow of the galaxy. Several mag 10.5-11 stars are in the 20' field.  Located 2.5 degrees NW of M101.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5294 = H. III-785 = h1667 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "2 eF stars with seeming nebulosity, but doubtful."  His position is just 1' from PGC 48761.  John Herschel recorded "eF; hardly more than a violent suspicion, owing to auroral light in the sky".  Nevertheless, his position (h1667) also is accurate.

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NGC 5295 = MCG +13-10-009 = CGCG 353-023 = PGC 48215

13 38 39.4 +79 27 32; Cam

V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4

 

17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  No other details visible.  Located 8' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 7856 near the Ursa Minor/Camelopardalis border.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5295 = H. III-946 on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1074, under the pole).  He noted "considerably faint, very small, round.  320x showed it very plainly."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.5 minutes of RA too large and 2' south (a separation of 4.7' at this declination) of PGC 48215 and there are no other nearby candidates.  Dreyer mentioned using a different star in the sweep as a reference, which results in a position 45 seconds of RA too large and 1' N.  This was Herschel's 8th most northern discovery. Neither John Herschel nor Lord Rosse's assistants made an observation.

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NGC 5296 = MCG +07-28-062 = CGCG 218-044 = PGC 48811

13 46 18.6 +43 51 04; CVn

V = 14.4;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 177°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  At moments appears elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.3'.  Situated just off the SW side of NGC 5297 (1.5' from center).

 

17.5" (6/7/97): located 1.5' SW of NGC 5301.  Appears very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter.  Appears elongated at times but extensions very faint so difficult to determine orientation.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5296 on 3 May 1850.  While observing NGC 5297 he noted "another nebula, R, bM, sp [of NGC 5297]."  On a later observation at Birr Castle, a position angle of 216.5° was measured and a distance of 1/3 the length of NGC 5297 was estimated.

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NGC 5297 = UGC 8709 = MCG +07-28-063 = CGCG 218-045 = PGC 48815

13 46 23.6 +43 52 19; CVn

V = 11.8;  Size 5.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 148°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): very nice edge-one situated just 2' SW of a mag 9 star (SAO 44745).  The galaxy is elongated 6:1 NW-SE, ~5'x0.8'.  At the NW edge is a mag 12 star and the extension appears longer is this direction.  The brighter core bulges in the center and the surface brighter is irregular or mottled in different spots.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly bright, large edge-on NW-SE, ~4.0'x0.8'.  Located 1.9' SW of mag 8.9 SAO 44745.  A mag 12 star is superimposed on the NNW extension (2.4' NW of center).  Large, brighter core is weakly concentrated.  Forms a pair with NGC 5296 1.6' SW.

 

8" (5/21/82): faint, moderately large, thin spindle NW-SE.  Located 2' SW of a mag 9 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5297 = H. I-180 = h1668 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "cB, mE about 3' long from 60° np to sf, the brightness confined to a small place."  John Herschel made the single observation "not vB; E 45° np to sf by diagram; gradually brighter in the middle."  Nearby NGC 5296 was discovered by LdR's assistant.

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NGC 5298 = ESO 445-039 = MCG -05-33-015 = LGG 357-009 = PGC 48985

13 48 36.5 -30 25 43; Cen

V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 69°

 

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration.  ESO 445-035 lies 5.7' WSW.  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5298 = h3538 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position is less than 1' south of ESO 445-039.  Interestingly, his offset from h3539 = NGC 5302 (which has a 30 tsec error in RA) places h3538 much closer ESO 445-035, a slightly fainter galaxy (see notes).  I contacted Harold Corwin by e-mail and suggested h3538 = ESO 445-035, but his analysis showed that Herschel's other positions on the sweep were all reasonably close, and a simpler explanation is a 30 tsec error for NGC 5302 only.  So, NGC 5298 = ESO 445-039.  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5299 = ESO 133-005

13 50 32 -60 26 18; Cen

Size 22'

 

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x): the most noticeable grouping is a large, scattered Milky Way field with ~150 stars in a 12' region.  The brightest star is the variable VX Centauri, at 9th magnitude.  Just off the northwest side is a distinctive 2.5' string of 4 stars (three of these are mag 10.5) oriented NW-SE.   A few arcmin west of the main group is another detached collection (most in an elongated N-S stream, along with several more in a smaller N-S string further west).  The N-S group includes a mag 9.8 star and the smaller string includes mag 9.2 HD 120131 on the south end.  Combining the various subgroups together produces a 20' Milky Way field that stands out reasonably well.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5299 = h3537 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded a "Cl VII class, much more than fill field, a very L and rich milky way cl, quite insulated on the preceding, north, and following sides and nearly so to the south, forming a king of peninsular projection, but much richer than the main portion of the milky way."

 

At his CGH position is a bright Milky Way field with a diameter of  ~30'.  Harold Corwin notes "there is a +30 arcmin error in the GC and NGC declination (too far north)."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 5300 = UGC 8727 = MCG +01-35-038 = CGCG 045-108 = PGC 48959

13 48 16.1 +03 57 02; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 3.9'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 150°

 

24" (6/30/22): fairly faint but very large, elongated at least 4:3 NNW-SSE, between 2.5' and 3' diameter, low surface brightness with just a very weakly brighter central region.  The ill-defined halo is uneven with slightly brighter patches, strongly suggesting this is a late-type face-on spiral.  A mag 14 star is just off the south end, 1.7' SSE of center.  UGC 8740 lies 27' NE.

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, fairly large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x2.0', low almost even surface brightness, no distinct edges.  A mag 14 star is at the south edge 1.7' from center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5300 = H. II-533 = h1669 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and recorded "F, vL, vlb about the middle, 6 or 7' long and near 4' broad."  John Herschel logged (sweep 143) "vF; vL; lE; very gradually brighter middle; 2' l, 3' br."

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NGC 5301 = UGC 8711 = MCG +08-25-041 = CGCG 246-023 = PGC 48816

13 46 24.6 +46 06 24; CVn

V = 12.7;  Size 4.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 151°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly bright, large edge-on NNW-SSE, ~4.0'x0.7'.  Bulging brighter center but only weakly concentrated.  Nearly extends to two mag 12 stars on either side of SSE end.  A mag 14.5 star is preceding the NNW end 2.6' from center.

 

8" (5/26/84): faint, very thin streak NW-SE, fairly small.  Forms the north vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11/12 stars 2.6' SE and 2.9' S.  Located 15' E of a triangle of mag 9 stars.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5301 = H. II-688 = h1670 on 11 May 1787 (sweep 733) and recorded "F, little brighter middle, mE nearly in the meridian, about 15° sp to nf, about 4' long and less than 1' broad."  John Herschel noted "pF; R; mE." and his RA is marked as very rough (nearest min).  He apparently precessed his own poor position to 1860 and recording them as precise in the GC.  As a result, the NGC position is 33 seconds of RA too large and 2' too far north.

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NGC 5302 = ESO 445-043 = MCG -05-33-018 = PGC 49007

13 48 49.7 -30 30 40; Cen

V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 153°

 

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5298 is located 5.8' NNW.  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5302 = h3539 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position is 30 sec of RA east and 1.5' north of ESO 445-043.  His position is also poor for nearby NGC 5298 (see notes).

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NGC 5303 = UGC 8725 = MCG +07-27-067 = CGCG 218-047 = Holm 532a = PGC 48917

13 47 45.1 +38 18 19; CVn

V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 92°

 

24" (6/12/18): at 282x; fairly bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, small bright core.  A "star" is superimposed just NW of the core.  A mag 10.5 star is 8' NW and a mag 11.0 star is 4.3' NW.  On the SDSS this is clearly a starburst galaxy with numerous blue blobs of star formation and the superimposed "star" appears to be a compact HII region.

 

NGC 5303B  = CGCG 218-046, located 2.7' S, appeared faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 30"x10", low even surface brightness.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W.  There appears to be a faint star attached at the west side.  A faint mag 14-15 pair that lies 4.5' N [18" separation] is collinear with the galaxy.

 

NGC 5303B = CGCG 218-046, a very faint companion, lies 2.7' S. It appeared very faint, diffuse, slightly elongated E-W.  Required averted to view.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5303 = H. III-681 = h1672 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "cF, vS, lE."  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; S; has two nuclei or involves a double star".  His position is just off the south edge of UGC 8725.

 

On 1 Mar 1851, Bindon Stoney noted "* or nucl in np edge; 2nd vF, 3' south, both E pf".  This second galaxy is NGC 5303B = CGCG 218-046, which was accidentally skipped in the GC and NGC.

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NGC 5304 = ESO 445-052 = MCG -05-33-022 = PGC 49090

13 50 01.5 -30 34 43; Cen

V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 146°

 

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration.  An equilateral triangle consisting of mag 14 stars is off the south side with components 44" S, 1.7' SSW and 2.2' SSE of center.  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5304 = Sw. 1-25 on 10 Apr 1885 and recorded "vvF; pS; lE; vF * f; p diff."  His position is 18 sec of RA too far west and 1.5' too far north.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20-inch refractor at Denver around 1900.

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NGC 5305 = UGC 8729 = MCG +06-30-087 = CGCG 190-057 = PGC 48930

13 47 55.8 +37 49 34; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration.  Located 6' SE of mag 7.1 SAO 63747.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5305 = H. III-621 = h1673 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and noted "vF, S, irregularly round, 300 confirmed it."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position on one sweep.

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NGC 5306 = HCG 67A = VV 135a = KTS 48B = MCG -01-35-014 = PGC 49039

13 49 11.2 -07 13 25; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, well concentrated with a 20" bright core.  A mag 13 star is 0.8' NW of center.  NGC 5306 is the brightest member of HCG 67.   A couple of times HCG 67D was highly suspected off the SW edge (35" from center).

 

MCG -01-35-013 = HCG 67B lies 3.4' NW.  This edge-on was seen as an extremely faint, moderately large streak, elongated 6:1 SSW-NNE with dimensions 2.0'x0.3' and a very low even surface brightness. It required averted vision to glimpse.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5306 = H. II-306 = h1671 = h3540 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and recorded "F, vS, irreg, resolvable."  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel called it "F; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20".  NGC 5306 is the only member of HCG 67 seen by the Herschels.

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NGC 5307 = PK 312+10.1 = ESO 221-11 = PN G312.3+10.5

13 51 03.2 -51 12 21; Cen

V = 11.2;  Size 15"x10"

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, small, blue-green oval, ~15"x10".  This unusual planetary has an irregular, wispy surface brightness with fascinating glimpses of structure at 293x and 428x.  It appears brighter along the major axis, particularly at the south end with a couple of small, darker areas or regions where the nebulosity is weaker on the sides.  A trio of mag 13-14 stars to the southeast is collinear with the planetary.  Situated in a fairly rich star field.

 

10" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 214x and UHC filter, this small, fairly bright planetary appeared as a slightly elongated disc, ~13"x10" in diameter with a high, fairly even surface brightness except for a weak brightening at the center, but no definite central star.  Set in a rich star field 45' ENE of globular NGC 5286 and mag 4.7 M Centauri.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5307 = h3541 on 15 Apr 1836 and recorded "A very singular object. At first I thought it an ill seen double star; 12..13 = 12..13 mag; distance 2"; but not being able to get it into focus I applied 320 power; which showed it as a hazy, rather elongated, planetary nebulous disc, as if a double star all but obliterated. It is positively not a star. The field is full of stars, two of which are equal to this object in light, but 320 shows them both quite sharp. It is a difficult object to find, and unless in a good night for definition (this is superb) it could not be recovered. The place is well taken. It is the smallest and most difficult planetary nebula I have ever seen.  Figure 15, plate VI, exhibits its appearance with power 320  (N.B. By this figure it would seem rather to belong to the class of double nebulae or double stellar nebulae of the utmost remoteness, than to that of planetary nebulae, properly so called.)"

 

Joseph Turner observed and sketched the planetary on 23 Jul 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished Plate VII, figure 70).  He noted a "bluish tinge" and commented that Herschel's sketch showed it as a double nebula (two condensations), but he couldn't see a duplex character, although it was elongated N-S (Herschel sketched it NW-SE).

 

Williamina Fleming included NGC 5307 in a 1910 table of Peculiar Spectra (Harvard Circular 158).  The entry notes "Bright lilnes. Gaseous Nebula", but there is no reference to the earlier NGC designation, so she likely assumed it was new.  It was also included in later Harvard lists of new nebulae.

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NGC 5308 = UGC 8722 = MCG +10-20-029 = CGCG 295-012 = PGC 48860

13 47 00.4 +60 58 23; UMa

V = 11.4;  Size 3.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 60°

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly bright, moderately large, very thin edge-on SW-NE, 1.7'x0.35', sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core and a relatively bright stellar nucleus.  A faint star is just beyond the end of the western extension.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): bright, fairly small, almost edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.4', very small very bright core, unusually bright stellar nucleus or almost stellar nucleus.  Appears as a pretty streak with a high surface brightness core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5308 = H. I-255 = h1674 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and logged "vB, mE, 3' l and 1/2' br, BENM."  John Herschel recorded "pB; S; mE in pos 57.4° by micrometer; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" l." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5309

13 50 00 -15 45; Vir

 

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

 

Edward Swift, Lewis' 16 year-old son, discovered NGC 5309 = Sw. 6-60 on 27 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF, pS, R, between a star and a coarse double star."  There are no viable galaxies nearby and Harold Corwin was not able to find a reasonable candidate.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.  Courtney Seligman argues that NGC 5309 is probably PGC 908764, though this requires several errors on Swift's part.

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NGC 5310

13 49 47.7 +00 04 09; Vir

 

= *, Corwin.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC

 

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 5310 = HN 19 on 30 Apr 1859 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He called it "slightly nebulous" and his position corresponds precisely with a mag 12.9 star.  The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 017-074 as NGC 5310, and in addition the RNGC position is 3' north of this galaxy.

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NGC 5311 = UGC 8735 = MCG +07-28-072 = CGCG 218-052 = LGG 361-003 = PGC 49011

13 48 56.0 +39 59 08; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 2.6'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ESE, 1.3'x1.0', well concentrated with an occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 2.5' E.  Forms a pair with NGC 5313 9.2' E. Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

8" (5/21/82): very faint, small, small brighter core.  Picked up while viewing NGC 5313 9' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5311 = H. II-710 = h1675, along with NGC 5313, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and noted "F, S."  His position is 3' north-northwest of UGC 8735.  John Herschel logged "F; vS; R; suddenly brighter middle."

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NGC 5312 = MCG +06-30-092 = CGCG 190-061 = PGC 49075

13 49 50.5 +33 37 19; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 30°

 

18" (5/16/09): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is less than 1' S.  Located 11' SW of NGC 5318.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): faint, small, slightly elongated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15-15.5 star is 0.9' S.  First in the NGC 5318 group with NGC 5318 10' NE and NGC 5321 11' E.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5312 = h1676 on 29 Apr 1827 and simply noted "vF".  The mean of his two positions is within 30" of CGCG 190-061 = PGC 49075.  JH assumed this nebula was his father's III-422, but that designation applies to NGC 5321 (see notes of that number).  Because of this error, WH is mistakenly credited with the discovery of NGC 5312 in the GC and NGC, instead of JH.

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NGC 5313 = UGC 8744 = MCG +07-28-074 = CGCG 218-054 = LGG 361-004 = PGC 49069

13 49 44.3 +39 59 06; CVn

V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): moderately/fairly bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.9'.  The brighter core contains a nearly stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Forms a nice pair with NGC 5311 9' W.  Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

8" (5/21/82): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 5311 9' W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5313 = H. II-711 = h1677, along with NGC 5311, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and noted "pB, cL, iF."  His position is 2' north of UGC 8744 (similar offset as NGC 5311).  For some reason, JH assumed h1677 was new and logged "pB; S; E; little brighter middle; the f of 2."

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NGC 5314 = MCG +12-13-009 = CGCG 336-017 = PGC 48810

13 46 11.4 +70 20 22; UMi

V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 86°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  At 280x, appears 0.5'x0.3' E-W, very small slightly brighter core.  A mag 15 star is close south [28" from center]. Nearly collinear with a mag 10.5/12.5 double about 3.5' S.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5314 = Sw. 3-74 on 8 Apr 1886 and recorded "vF; eS; stellar; an eF * very close; the 2 components of a D * point to it."  His position is 0.9 min of RA too large, but his comment about a double star clinches this identification.

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NGC 5315 = PK 309-4.2 = ESO 097-9 = PN G309.1-04.3

13 53 57.0 -66 30 50; Cir

V = 9.9;  Size 6"

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): picked up by blinking at 128x with an OIII filter, though immediately noticed as non-stellar at this power.  At 228x, appeared as a bright, compact, very high surface brightness 5" disc with a bluish color distinctive of high surface brightness planetaries.  There was only a modest contrast gain with a UHC filter.  Excellent view at 293x, though there was no sign of a central star within the high surface brightness haze.  Located 4' E of mag 7.1 HD 120680.  A couple of fainter stars are close following.

 

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 5315 on 4 May 1883 near Lake Titicaca in the Andes.  He was using a 6.1" refractor fitted with a direct vision Vogel-spectroscope (NGC 5873 and 6153 were discovered the same way).  The RA given in Copernicus III (1884) is 30 sec too large.  Williamina Fleming confirmed the photographic spectrum as a nebula in 1894.

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NGC 5316 = ESO 133-006 = Cr 279

13 53 54 -61 52 00; Cen

V = 6.0;  Size 14'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x (12mm Nagler), over three dozen stars are visible in a 10'x6' bright triangular group.  A number of mag 10 and 11 stars define the periphery and make the cluster appear well-detached although a number of additional mag 9 and 10 adorn a glittering field.  Extending off the north side and heading NW is a 6' string of 11th-12th magnitude stars ending at a mag 10.8 star 7' NW of the center of the cluster.  The chain then abruptly changes direction and continues SW, terminating at mag 8.5 HD 120631 located 10' W of the center of the cluster.  The two intersecting strings are distinctive but appear to be random asterisms.

 

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): this fairly bright open cluster consists of 35-40 stars in a 10' triangular group.  Includes a number of brighter mag 9.5-12 stars.  Off the NE side is a neat string of stars oriented WNW-ESE.

 

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): fairly faint, moderately large cluster in binoculars, irregular shape, no obvious resolution.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5316 = D 282 = h3542 on 25 May 1826.  He described "A group of ten or twelve stars about the 10th mag, with a multitude of very small stars, forming an irregular branched figure, 8' or 10' long and 6' broad."  His single rough position is off by only 3'.

 

John Herschel observed the cluster on 24 Apr 1835 (sweep 578) and noted it as a "cluster of stars, class VII; 14 stars 11th mag, and 30 or 40 smaller in a round space 8' diameter."

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NGC 5317 = NGC 5364: = UGC 8853 = MCG +01-36-003 = CGCG 046-009 = Holm 557a = PGC 49555

13 56 11.9 +05 00 53; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5364.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5317 = h1678 on 7 Apr 1828 and recorded "vF, vL, very gradually brighter middle, R".  There is nothing near his position.  Karl Reinmuth reported "no vF vL neb found", based on Heidelberg plates and Dorothy Carlson classified the number as nonexistent in her NGC correction paper and this conclusion was repeated in the RNGC.

 

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 5317 is a duplicate observation of NGC 5364 (discovered by WH) with a 5 min error in RA (declination matches).  Furthermore, the descriptions are identical.

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NGC 5318 = UGC 8751 = MCG +06-30-096 = CGCG 190-063 = Holm 548a = PGC 49139

13 50 35.9 +33 42 18; CVn

V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 165°

 

48" (4/15/10): bright, fairly large, oval 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', bright core, stellar nucleus, high surface brightness.  This galaxy is the brightest in a group with 7 galaxies picked up in the 510x field (6 in a 10' string oriented NNW to SSE).  The closest two companions, MCG +06-30-097 and MCG +06-30-095 (incorrectly identified as NGC 5319 in several sources), are located 52" NNW and 1.9' NNW, respectively.  These two companions were described and sketched using Lord Rosse's 72", but did not receive NGC numbers.

 

18" (5/16/09): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.5', bright core.  Brightest of 4 NGC galaxies with NGC 5321 4.6' SSE, NGC 5312 11' SW and NGC 5319 3.5' NNE.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5321 4' S.  NGC 5312 lies 10' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5318 = H. III-422 = h1679 on 2 May 1785 (sweep 406) and recorded "Two, eF, stellar, the time and number taken between them.  The northern one is the faintest; distance about 4 or 5' not far from the meridian."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 5' south of NGC 5318 = UGC 8751, the brightest galaxy in the group, and 2' southwest of NGC 5321 = CGCG 190-065.  The separation of these two galaxies is 4.6' with a position angle of 160°, matching his description, though the northern galaxy (NGC 5318) is brighter.  On 3 May 1785 (sweep 407), he noted a nebula he logged as "Suspected, vF, i and vS, but 240 made it appear more like a small patch".  His position is just 6 sec of east of NGC 5318, but he didn't connect this with his observation of 1074 and 1075 just the night before.

 

JH made two observations, recording on sweep 337 "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"; the second of 3 [with NGC 5312 and 5321]."  His position is accurate.  See notes on NGC 5321.  R.J. Mitchell, observing NGC 5318 on 27 Mar 1856, discovered nearby NGC 5319 as well as the two close companions to NGC 5318 -- MCG +06-30-097 0.9' NNW and MCG +06-30-095, 1.9' NNW.  These were not assigned separate GC or NGC designations.

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NGC 5319 = PGC 84061

13 50 40.7 +33 45 41; CVn

V = 15.5;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 66°

 

48" (4/15/10): easily visible at 510x as a faint, edge-on streak, roughly 4:1 WSW-ENE, ~30"x8".  A very faint star is off the ENE tip.  Located 3.5' NNE of NGC 5318.  A faint pair of galaxies lies ~3' NW.

 

Several sources misidentify MCG +06-30-095 as NGC 5319.  The sketch made with Lord Rosse's 72" clearly shows MCG +06-30-095 and NGC 5319 (3.5' NNE of NGC 5318), but MCG +06-30-095 did not receive a NGC designation as Dreyer may have felt it was part of NGC 5318.

 

17.5": not seen.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5319 on 27 Mar 1856 at Birr Castle, while observing NGC 5318.  He labeled this galaxy "C" on the field sketch and simply noted "vF".  Although no separations were estimated, the sketch is accurate enough to identify NGC 5319 = PGC 84061.  See NGC 5318 for more on this sketch.

 

The RNGC and Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide misidentify MCG +06-30-095 (1.9' NNW of NGC 5318) as NGC 5319.  Corwin agrees that NGC 5319 = PGC 84061.  Malcolm Thomson disagrees and identifies a faint galaxy 5.2' NNW of NGC 5318 as NGC 5319.  See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.

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NGC 5320 = UGC 8749 = MCG +07-28-076 = CGCG 218-056 = CGCG 219-001 =LGG 361-012 =  PGC 49112

13 50 20.4 +41 21 59; CVn

V = 12.1;  Size 3.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 18°

 

17.5" (5/22/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the SSW end 2.3' from center, a mag 11 star is 3.7' NE and a mag 12 star lies 3.1' ESE of center.  Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5320 = H. II-669 = h1682 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, pL, very gradually much brighter middle."  His position matches UGC 8749.  John Herschel made the single observation "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."

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NGC 5321 = MCG +06-30-101 = CGCG 190-065 = PGC 49148

13 50 43.6 +33 37 57; CVn

V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

48" (4/15/10): at 510x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~0.5'x0.25'.  Contains a small, bright nucleus. Located 4.6' SSE of NGC 5318.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11 stars ~3.7' WNW and SW.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.2' WSW of center.

 

18" (5/16/09): fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration though with direct vision a faint quasi-stellar nucleus was visible.  Located 4.5' SSE of NGC 5318 and 11' E of NGC 5312.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): faint, very small, round.  Two faint mag 14.5-15 stars are close west [mag 14.5 1.2' WSW] and two mag 11 stars are 3.6' W and 3.8' SW.  NGC 5318 lies 4' NNW and NGC 5312 11' W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5321 = H. III-423 = h1680 on 2 May 1785 (sweep 406) and recorded "Two, eF, stellar, the time and number taken between them.  The northern one is the faintest; distance about 4 or 5' not far from the meridian."  His single position is 2' southwest of NGC 5321 = CGCG 190-065 and his description is an excellent fit with NGC 5318 and NGC 5321, which are separated by 4.6' in position angle 160° (NNW-SSE).  The only discrepancy is the northern object (NGC 5318) is brighter.

 

JH made two observations (one good position), calling it "eF; at first sight like a *, but on long attention a pL neb surrounds it" on sweep 337 and "pB; R; suddenly much brighter middle." on sweep 74.  But he assumed this object was new and his father's III-422 applied to NGC 5312 = h1676.  As a result, JH is credited with the discovery of NGC 5321 in the GC and NGC.  But NGC 5312 is over 10' southwest of NGC 5318 and the orientation doesn't match WH's description ("not far from the meridian").  Reassigning the historical designations based on this analysis, results in h1676 = GC 3664 = NGC 5312, III-422 = h1679 = GC 3668 = NGC 5318 and III-423 = h1680 = GC 3670 = NGC 5321.

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NGC 5322 = UGC 8745 = MCG +10-20-035 = CGCG 295-017 = LGG 360-003 = PGC 49044

13 49 15.1 +60 11 26; UMa

V = 10.2;  Size 5.9'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

 

18" (5/14/07): very bright, fairly large, oval, 2.5'x1.75'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, 40" core that increases to the center. Two or three mag 14-15 stars are superimposed on the halo including one to the south and one to the east of the core.

 

17.5" (4/13/91): very bright, moderately large, unusually bright compact core, substellar nucleus, fainter halo elongated 3:2 E-W.  A mag 14 star is at the south edge of the core within the outer halo and 20" from the center. 

 

8" (5/21/82): bright, moderately large, small bright nucleus, almost round.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5322 = H. I-256 = h1684 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953).  He recorded "very bright, pretty large, irregularly round, small much brighter middle."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 24) as an illlustration of "nebulae that are suddenly much brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5323 = UGC 8719 = MCG +13-10-012 = CGCG 353-025 = PGC 48785

13 45 36.5 +76 49 41; UMi

V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 163°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, slightly brighter core.  A mag 13.5-14 evenly matched double lies 4'-5' NW [11" separation].

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5323 = H. II-899 = h1689 on 20 Dec 1797 (northern sweep 1074, under the pole). He recorded "faint, small, elongated, nearly in the meridian, about 1' long."  His position was off by just 1'.  The NGC position from John Herschel is accurate.

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NGC 5324 = MCG -01-35-016 = PGC 49236

13 52 05.9 -06 03 30; Vir

V = 11.7;  Size 2.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.8' diameter, fairly low almost even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the SE edge 1.5' from center and a mag 15.5 star is superimposed on the east side.  A pair of mag 12 stars at 36" separation are 4' WNW and a linear trio is ~8' SW.  A line drawn east through both sets of stars intersects at NGC 5324!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5324 = H. II-307 = h1681 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and logged "F, cL, bM, irr."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50 or 60"."  IC 4407, reported by William Henry Finlay at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope in December 1886, may be a duplicate observation.  See Harold Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5325 = VV 607 = MCG +07-28-080 = CGCG 218-062 = CGCG 219-007 = Holm 550a = PGC 49163

13 50 54.1 +38 16 29; CVn

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  PA = 108°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, very low surface brightness, no concentration.  Required averted vision.  Two mag 11 stars at 2' separation are roughly 5' NW.  Forms a pair with very difficult MCG +07-28-081 2.1' S.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5325 = Sw. 2-36 on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; v diff; 2 B st near."  His position is 1.4' northeast of CGCG 218-062.  The first edition of the Deep Sky Field Guide lists NGC 5325A and NGC 5325B.  It appears that NGC 5325A refers to the low surface brightness edge-on UGC 8760, which is located about 15' south.

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NGC 5326 = UGC 8764 = MCG +07-28-082 = CGCG 218-061 = CGCG 219-006 = LGG 361-006 = PGC 49157

13 50 50.9 +39 34 28; CVn

V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 137°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): moderately bright, small, spindle, very elongated NW-SE, small bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  Located 12.2' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 63794.  NGC 5346 lies 26' E.  Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5326 = H. II-712 = h1685 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and noted "F, S, R, bM."  John Herschel made 3 observations, describing it on 12 May 1828 (sweep 155) as "pB; S; lE; suddenly brighter middle; 15"."

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NGC 5327 = UGC 8768 = MCG +00-35-021 = CGCG 017-078 = PGC 49234

13 52 04.1 -02 12 23; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 2' diameter.  Weak concentration with a very small core slightly offset north of geometric center.  CGCG 017-079 lies 4.8' N (not seen).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5327 = H. II-685 = h1683 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 729) and noted "vF, S, iR.  Following 2 stars, and in the parallel with them."  His position is 2' too far south.  John Herschel made a single observation and his position is accurate.

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NGC 5328 = ESO 445-067 = MCG -05-33-028 = LGG 357-014 = PGC 49307

13 52 53.3 -28 29 22; Hya

V = 11.6;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 87°

 

24" (6/1/13): at 225x appeared bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, 30"x20", sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus.  Brightest in a small cluster (Klemola 28) of early-type galaxies with NGC 5330 1.7' NE.  Several of the galaxies are aligned in a NE to SW chain including LEDA 3094715 2.8' NE and ESO 445-70 6.0' NE.  LEDA 3094715 appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. Probable member of the larger IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574)

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small bright nucleus.  Located 19' WNW of mag 6 SAO 182065.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5328 = H. III-923 = h3543 on 5 May 1793 (sweep 1041) and recorded "vF; vS; R; little brighter in the middle.  300 shewed it very well"  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope: "pB; R; little brighter middle; 20" and "B; lE; suddenly brighter middle; 20".  Lewis Swift discovered nearby NGC 5330.

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NGC 5329 = UGC 8771 = MCG +01-35-044 = CGCG 045-121 = PGC 49248

13 52 10.0 +02 19 30; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, 1.0 diameter.  Symmetrical appearance with even concentration to a 20" brighter core and a nonstellar nucleus.  NGC 5331 is located 14' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5329 = H. III-549 = h1686 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and noted "eF, vS, stellar, 240 confirmed it."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' northeast of UGC 8771.  John Herschel made a single observation, calling it "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"."

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NGC 5330 = ESO 445-068 = MCG -05-33-028a = PGC 49316

13 52 59.2 -28 28 14; Hya

V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

 

24" (6/1/13): this compact galaxy is situated just 1.7' NE of NGC 5328 in a small group.  At 225x it appeared faint to fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 15" diameter, very small brighter nucleus.  PGC 3094715 lies 1.2' N. and ESO 445-70 is 4.3' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5330 = Sw. 6-61 on 25 Mar 1887 and recorded "eeF; S; R; e diff; nf of 3676 [NGC 5328].

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NGC 5331 = VV 253a/b = UGC 8774 = MCG +00-35-022 = CGCG 017-082 = PGC 49264 = PGC 49266

13 52 16.3 +02 06 28; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 55°

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x and 610x; NGC 5331 is an interacting pair at 25" separation N-S.  The southern component (VV 253a) appeared moderately bright and large, elongated NW-SE but with an irregular outline.  Contains a brighter elongated core with a faint stellar nucleus.  The galaxy thins on the southeast end with a faint extension or tail, creating an asymmetric appearance.  The northern galaxy (VV 253b) appeared fairly bright or bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 SW-NE, irregular outline.  Contains a high surface brightness elongated core with a stellar nucleus.

 

CGCG 017-081, situated 1.3' W of the pair, appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, a 17th mag star is 15" WSW.  A 16th magnitude star lies midway between the CGCG and the NGC pair.

 

48" (5/4/16): at 697x; NGC 5531 is a fascinating interacting pair (25" between centers) with a third component (CGCG 017-081) 1.3' W.  The northern component (VV 253b = PGC 49266) is fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 SW-NE, 30"x12", sharply concentrated with a prominent, elongated core and bright stellar nucleus.  The surface brightness of the halo is irregular with a hint of spiral structure.

 

The southern galaxy (highly disrupted on the SDSS with a tidal plume to the WNW) is fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, broad concentration but no well defined zones.  The surface brightness, though, is irregular or mottled and the galaxy appears dusty. More unusual is the shape; the galaxy tapers at the southeast east and the northwest end bends or twists towards the northern spiral, creating a kidney-bean outline.

 

CGCG 017-081, 1.3' W, appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, nearly even surface brightness.  A mag 16.5 star is just 14" WSW of center.  A mag 16 star sits midway between this galaxy and the NGC 5331 pair.

 

17.5" (5/11/96): this double system was resolved with the brighter component (VV 253b) at the north end. VV 253b is fairly faint, fairly small and slightly elongated.  Attached at the south end is a low surface glow (VV 253a).  The pair requires attention as there is less than 30" separation between centers.  NGC 5329 lies 14' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5331 = H. III-929 = h1687 on 13 May 1793 (sweep 1044) and logged "vF, S, E in meridian."  John Herschel made an interesting observation on sweep 144: "A very insignificant cluster of vS scattered stars; or a S[mall] resolved neb."  The position here is on the brighter component of the double system.

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NGC 5332 = UGC 8773 = MCG +03-35-030 = CGCG 102-070 = PGC 49243

13 52 07.9 +16 58 11; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, small bright core.  Bracketed by two mag 14 stars off the north [50" NNW of center] and south ends [38" S of center].  CGCG 102-069 lies 3.7' SW.  Located 15' NNW of mag 6.7 SAO 100747.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5332 = Sw. 6-62 on 23 Mar 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R."  His position matches UGC 8773.

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NGC 5333 = ESO 221-017 = LGG 356-006 = PGC 49424

13 54 24.3 -48 30 45; Cen

V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 52°

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, moderately bright and large oval, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.4', moderately strong concentration with a bright 10"-15" core.  Located 2.7' W of mag 9 HD 121119 and 11' N of mag 7.2 HD 121057.  I observed 10 ESO galaxies in this rich Milky Way region (ESO 221-003, -004, -005, -009, -010, -012, -013, -014, -016, -020) from Les Dalrymple's article in S&T on the "Bow and Arrow".

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5333 = h3544 on 2 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; vS; R; 6"; has a * 8m; 3' f in parallel."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5334 = IC 4338 = UGC 8790 = MCG +00-35-024 = CGCG 017-088 = PGC 49308

13 52 54.5 -01 06 52; Vir

V = 11.3;  Size 4.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): faint, large, diffuse glow, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~3.0'x2.4', low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 2' SW of center. Located 3.2' N of a mag 10 star and 35' NW of mag 5.2 90 Virginis.  NGC 5345 lies 28' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5334 = H. III-665 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 729) and recorded "cF, cL, clbM."  His position matches UGC 8790.

 

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 20 Apr 1897 (or perhaps 30 Apr as in his PASP list) and recorded Sw.11-161 (later IC 4338) as "vL, eF, C E n & s; Munich 9619 nf 121 seconds; in field with 5334.  A F st close to each end of major axis."  His RA is just 0.2 min west of NGC 5334 and the description applies to this galaxy.  It's not clear what other object he confused with NGC 5334, but IC 4338 = NGC 5334, with the identity made as early as 1921in the Helwan Observatory observations.  See Harold Corwin's comments.

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NGC 5335 = UGC 8791 = MCG +01-35-046 = CGCG 045-129 = PGC 49310

13 52 56.5 +02 48 51; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE [bar], brighter core.  Irregular surface brightness and halo fades, so difficult to determine PA.  A mag 14 star is 0.7' S of center.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5335 = h1688 on 9 Apr 1828 and noted "F; irr R."  His position is a perfect match with UGC 8791.

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NGC 5336 = UGC 8785 = MCG +07-29-003 = CGCG 218-066 = CGCG 219-011 = PGC 49250

13 52 09.7 +43 14 34; CVn

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 115°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, fairly small, 1.0' diameter.  No concentration but there appeared to a slight brightening on the SW edge.  Located ~3' W of a two mag 11 stars and a third mag 13.5 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5336 = H. II-670 = h1690 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and noted "pB, pL."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5337 = UGC 8789 = MCG +07-29-004 = CGCG 219-012 = LGG 363-001 = PGC 49275

13 52 23.1 +39 41 15; CVn

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, brighter core.  NGC 5346 is 9.8' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5337 = H. III-698 = h1691 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799).  John Herschel called it "small; irregularly round; has a bright star 8th mag preceding."

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NGC 5338 = UGC 8800 = MCG +01-35-048 = CGCG 045-132 = PGC 49353

13 53 26.6 +05 12 28; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 2.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 97°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, almost even surface brightness.  Forms a right angle with a wide mag 10 double star (HJ 2690 = 10.6/11.4 at 27") 3' WNW and two mag 10/12 stars 3' NNE.  First of 7 in the NGC 5363 group with NGC 5348 13' E.

 

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 5338 on 3 May 1877, along with NGC 5348, while making an observation of NGC 5356.  He noted "about 20' p[receding] and 5' or 6' s[outh] is another, elongated p f, about 4' f a D*.".  The bright pair of stars is 3.5' WNW.  The same observation also mentions "a third neb is about 10' p and 5' +/- s" and this refers to NGC 5348.

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NGC 5339 = MCG -01-35-018 = Mrk 1363 = PGC 49388

13 54 00.3 -07 55 52; Vir

V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 59°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.8'x1.4'.  Broad concentration with an ill-defined core.  Bracketed by two mag 13 stars 1.3' SSW and 1.3' NE.  The PGC magnitude (16.5) is erroneous.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5339 = Big. 70 on 22 May 1878.  His unpubished notebook position is at the NW edge of the halo, so the identification is certain.  Stephan never published this discovery.

 

Guillaume Bigourdan rediscovered NGC 5339 on 14 May 1887 and described it as "mag 13.4, R, 1' dia, no nucleus."  His position is accurate.  Bigourdan was credited with the discovery.

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NGC 5340 = MCG +12-13-014 = CGCG 336-022 = PGC 49021

13 48 59.9 +72 39 14; UMi

V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Located 2.6' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5340 = Sw. 3-75 on 6 May 1886 and recorded "eF; S; R."  His position is 11 sec of RA east and 1' south of CGCG 336-022.  MCG and PGC misidentify MCG +12-13-013 as NGC 5340.  Also, the MCG declination for MCG +12-13-014 is off by ~10'.

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NGC 5341 = UGC 8792 = MCG +06-31-002 = CGCG 190-069 = CGCG 191-002 = PGC 49285

13 52 32.1 +37 48 59; CVn

V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 164°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, small, edge-on NNW-SSE, brighter core.  NGC 5349 lies 9.2' ENE.

 

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant discovered NGC 5341, along with NGC 5349, on 24 Mar 1857.  While observing NGC 5351 he logged "found here 3 nebulae, as shown, all of them are bM."  The sketch clearly identifies NGC 5341, 10' west-southwest of NGC 5349 (the actual separation is 9').  But no offsets were measured and the NGC position (estimated by Dreyer) is poor.

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NGC 5342 = UGC 8776 = MCG +10-20-041 = CGCG 295-020 = PGC 49192

13 51 25.8 +59 51 50; UMa

V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 152°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.3'.  Sharp concentration with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 25' SE of NGC 5322.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5342 = H. III-849 = h1694 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel simply noted "eF", but measured a more accurate position (in the NGC).

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NGC 5343 = MCG -01-35-019 = PGC 49412

13 54 11.7 -07 35 17; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.9'.  Well concentrated with a bright core increasing to a non-stellar nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5343 = H. II-308 = h1692 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and logged "vF, S, little brighter middle, irreg."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; S; R; bM.  Dull and murky sky." and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5344 = CGCG 336-026 = PGC 49085

13 50 12.1 +73 57 11; UMi

V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness.  Located 2.8' following a mag 10 star and 8' ENE of mag 8.5 SAO 7884.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5344 = Sw. 3-76 on 6 May 1886 and recorded "vF; S; R."  His position is 1.8' south of CGCG 336-026. Corwin notes that the NGC RA is 0.9 min too far west, although Swift's position is only slightly west.

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NGC 5345 = UGC 8820 = MCG +00-35-026 = CGCG 017-094 = PGC 49415

13 54 14.2 -01 26 11; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/11/96): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, bright core gradually increases to center.  A mag 15 star is superimposed at the south edge.  Located 8' NW of mag 5.2 90 Virginis.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5345 = H. II-686 = h1693 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 729) and logged "pB, S, mbM."  His RA is just 5 sec too small.  John Herschel called it "pB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"."  UGC 8820 is not labeled as NGC 5345.

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NGC 5346 = UGC 8804 = MCG +07-29-007 = CGCG 219-014 = LGG 361-007 = PGC 49322

13 53 02.0 +39 34 52; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 158°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): very faint, requires averted, slightly elongated.  Forms a pair with NGC 5337 9.8' NW.  NGC 5326 lies 26' W.  Forms the NE vertex of a trapezoid with mag 13 stars 2.4' SSW, 3.6' SW and 2.1' WNW.   Member of the NGC 5371 group.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5346 = St. 12-57 on 27 Apr 1878 and estimated the diameter as 1.5'.  His published position (list 12, #57) was perhaps based on a second observation on 18 May 1881 and matches UGC 8804.

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NGC 5347 = UGC 8805 = MCG +06-31-007 = CGCG 191-007 = PGC 49342

13 53 17.8 +33 29 28; CVn

V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Broad concentration to a brighter core.  At times there appears to be brighter spot involved (extremely faint star?), although I was not able to confirm this impression.  A mag 10.5 star with two mag 13.5/14 companions lies 3' NE.  Located 8.5' NE of mag 8 SAO 63805.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5347 = H. II-424 = h1695 on 2 May 1785 (sweep 406) and noted "F, pL, little brighter in the middle."  His position is 6' too far north."  John Herschel recorded "pB; L; R; 40".  If this be my Father's nebula, there is an error of 6' in his polar distance."

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NGC 5348 = UGC 8821 = MCG +01-35-051 = CGCG 045-137 = PGC 49411

13 54 11.3 +05 13 36; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 3.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 177°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): very faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 N-S, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' NE of center.  Second of 7 in the NGC 5363 group with NGC 5356 14' NE and NGC 5338 13' W.

 

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 5348, along with NGC 5338, on 3 May 1877, while making an observation of NGC 5356.  He noted "a third neb is about 10' p" and 5' +/- s, it is vF, mE ns, with a * 13m nf and a small group of faint stars 6' +/- s, it is fainter than [NGC 5356]."  This thin edge-on is 13.5' SW of NGC 5356.  In the same observation he discovered NGC 5338 "about 20' p [of N5356] and 5' or 6' s[outh] is another, E p f, about 4' f a D*".

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NGC 5349 = UGC 8803 = MCG +06-31-005 = CGCG 190-072 = CGCG 191-006 = Holm 554b = PGC 49336

13 53 13.3 +37 52 57; CVn

V = 14.1;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 82°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): faint, small, elongated ~E-W, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 5351 3.5' NE.

 

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant discovered NGC 5349, along with NGC 5341, on 24 Mar 1857.  While observing NGC 5351 he noted "found here 3 nebulae, as shown, all of them are bM."  The sketch clearly identifies NGC 5349, 3' southwest of NGC 5349 (the actual separation is 3.5').

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NGC 5350 = HCG 68C = KTG 50A = Holm 555c = UGC 8810 = MCG +07-29-009 = CGCG 219-017 = Mrk 1485 = WBL 475-001 = LGG 361-008 = PGC 49347

13 53 21.6 +40 21 50; CVn

V = 11.3;  Size 3.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

 

24" (7/1/16): fairly bright or bright, oval ~4:3 ~N-S, ~2'x1.5', largest in the HCG 68 quintet.  Contains a brighter core with a subtle bar oriented NW-SE.  The center increases gradually to a stellar nucleus.  The surface brightness is irregular with hints of structure including an arc or spiral arm on the northeast side.  The mag 6.5 orange star HD 121197 is 3' SW.

 

24" (6/8/13): bright, large, contains a brighter core or bar that is oriented NW-SE.  The central core of the bar is round and increases somewhat to the center. The 2.0'x1.5' halo, though, is elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE.  Located 2.9' NE of a mag 6.5 star with NGC 5353/5354 ~4' SSE and NGC 5355 ~5' ESE.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): largest galaxy in the striking NGC 5353 group = HCG 68.  Fairly faint, diffuse, slightly elongated, very weak concentration, no core.  Located on a line between mag 6.5 HD 121197 2.9' SW (not in SAO) and mag 9.3 SAO 44789 5.0' NE.  First in the group with NGC 5354 3.7' SSE, NGC 5353 4.9' SSE, NGC 5355 4.9' ESE and NGC 5358 9.0' SE.

 

8" (5/21/82): faint, moderately large, diffuse, between two stars mag 6.5 and 9.0.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5350 = H. II-713 = h1696 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799).  He only noted "faint, pretty large" but was working quickly - just 8 seconds later he discovered the pair NGC 5353/5354.   John Herschel made two good observations, noting "pretty bright; round; bright middle" and "very faint; large; a bright double star preceding; the first of 4."

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NGC 5351 = UGC 8809 = MCG +06-31-008 = CGCG 190-073 = CGCG 191-019 = Holm 554a = PGC 49359

13 53 27.7 +37 54 54; CVn

V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, broad concentration, elongated WNW-ESE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5349 3.5' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5351 = H. II-697 = h1697 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and recorded "F, bM, E in the parallel, about 1 1/2' long and 1' broad."

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NGC 5352 = UGC 8812 = MCG +06-31-011 = CGCG 191-009 = PGC 49370

13 53 38.4 +36 08 03; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  A small group of stars of a half a dozen stars is close following and the galaxy is roughly collinear with two mag 11.5 and 13 stars 1.5' and 3' following.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5352 = H. II-415 = h1700 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "F, S, irr."  John Herschel made two observations, recording (sweep 71) "pF; R; 30"; has a star 90" distance, 25° nf."

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NGC 5353 = HCG 68A = KTG 50B = Holm 555b = UGC 8813 = MCG +07-29-010 = CGCG 219-018 = LGG 363-002 = WBL 475-002 = PGC 49356

13 53 26.7 +40 16 59; CVn

V = 11.0;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 145°

 

24" (6/3/19): at 200x; type Ia SN 2019ein, discovered on May 1st, appeared as a mag 15 "star" just off the SE end of the galaxy (28" E and 28" S of center).  This supernova peaked at mag 14.0.

 

24" (7/1/16): very bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~1.8'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core that increases to the center.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 5354 (two brightest members of HCG 68), with centers 1.2' apart.

 

24" (6/8/13): the brightest member of HCG 68 appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.7', well concentrated with a very bright  elongated core that increases to the center.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 5354 1.2' N.  NGC 5358 = HCG 68E lies 6.4' due E.  NGC 5371, the brightest and largest in a larger group (LGG 361) including HCG 68, lies 27' NE

 

13.1" (5/26/84): brightest in the NGC 5353 group = HCG 68.  Fairly bright, oval 2:1 NW-SE, gradually increases to a small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5354 1.2' N.  Other nearby members are NGC 5350 4.9' NNW, NGC 5355 4.9' NE, NGC 5358 6.4' E.  Located 4.8' SE of mag 6.5 HD 121197.

 

8" (5/21/82): moderately bright, small.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5353 = H. II-714 = h1698, along with NGC 5354, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799).  He recorded the pair together as "Two, pretty bright, both small, round, at 2' distance in the meridian."  John Herschel logged "The southern of a double neb, dist 1' in meridian." and "pretty bright; small; the southern of 2 nearly in meridian; the second of a group of 4."

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NGC 5354 = HCG 68B = KTG 50C = Holm 555a = UGC 8814 = MCG +07-29-011 = CGCG 219-019 = WBL 475-003 = LGG 361-009 = PGC 49354

13 53 26.7 +40 18 10; CVn

V = 11.4;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 11.9

 

24" (7/1/16): bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:4 E-W, 1.4'x1.1', well concentrated with a large bright core than increases gradually to the center, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The halo on the south side is in contact with NGC 5353, with the centers 1.2' apart in PA 0° (N-S).  The mag 6.5 orange star HD 121197 is 4' NW.

 

24" (6/8/13): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.4'x1.2', fairly well concentrated (though not as well as NGC 5353) with a small bright core that increases to the center.  The outer halo merges with NGC 5353, 1.2' between centers.  Located 4' SE of mag 6.5 HD 121197.  NGC 5350 is 3.8' NNW and NGC 5355 is 4.2' NE.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): member of the NGC 5353 group = HCG 68.  Fairly faint, fairly small, broad concentration.  Forms a very close pair with brighter NGC 5353 1.2' S.  Located 4.0' SE of mag 6.5 HD 121197.  Nearby members include NGC 5350 3.8' N and NGC 5355 4.2' NE.

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, moderately large, even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5353 1' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5354 = H. II-715 = h1699, along with NGC 5353, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799). He recorded the pair as "Two, pretty bright, both small, round, at 2' distance in the meridian."  John Herschel logged "the northern of a double nebula, dist 1' in the meridian", and "F; S; the northern and smallest of 2 in merid; one of a group of 4."

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NGC 5355 = HCG 68D = Holm 555d = UGC 8819 = MCG +07-29-012 = CGCG 219-020 = WBL 475-004 = LGG 361-010 = PGC 49380

13 53 45.6 +40 20 19; CVn

V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

 

24" (7/1/16): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, ~35"x25", very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Situated 4' NE of NGC 5354 in HCG 68.

 

24" (6/8/13): moderately bright, relatively small compared to the other members of HCG 68, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~40"x28", small brighter nucleus.  Located 4' NE of NGC 5354 and 4.8' ESE of NGC 5350.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  Member of the NGC 5353 group = HCG 68 and located 7' due east of mag 6.5 HD 121197.  Nearby members are NGC 5350 4.9' WNW, NGC 5358 4.7' SE and NGC 5353 4.8' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5355 = H. III-699 = h1702 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and noted "vF; S; iF." His position is 3' too far north.  John Herschel made three observations and assumed it was new, probably due to his father's poor position. He logged "F; The last of 4.  There is a *9 preceding the group." and "vF; L; the last of 4."  JH later equated h1702 and III. 699 in the GC.

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NGC 5356 = UGC 8831 = MCG +01-35-052 = CGCG 046-001 = PGC 49468

13 54 58.5 +05 20 01; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 3.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, slightly brighter bulging middle.  Forms a thin isosceles triangle with a pair of mag 12 stars 2.6' NE and 2.6' NNE.  Third of 7 in NGC 5363 group with NGC 5363 17' ESE and NGC 5348 14' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5356 = H. III-506 = h1701 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "vF, E, 2' long."  Caroline's reduction is at the north end of the galaxy.  On 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043), he logged "p or cB, E, cL."  John Herschel made 5 observations, estimated a size of 80"x30" and a position angle of 15°.

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NGC 5357 = ESO 445-078 = MCG -05-33-032 = LGG 357-021 = PGC 49534

13 55 59.5 -30 20 29; Cen

V = 12.0;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 23°

 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Situated among three mag 11 stars and directly between a mag 11 star 1.5' N and a mag 11.5 star 1.1' SSE.  Also a mag 11.5 star is 2.2' SW.  Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574)

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5357 = h3546 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"; exactly in middle between 2 stars 10m."  His position is accurate, although Innes was unsuccessful in finding it with the 7-inch refractor at the Cape of Good Hope.

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NGC 5358 = HCG 68E = UGC 8826 = MCG +07-29-013 = CGCG 219-022 = WBL 475-005 =LGG 361-007 = PGC 49389

13 54 00.4 +40 16 38; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 138°

 

24" (7/1/16): faintest member of the HCG 68 quintet.  At 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1, 25"x12", very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars at ~8" separation is 1.1' SSE and nearly collinear with the galaxy.

 

24" (6/8/13): faintest and last member of HCG 68.  Appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 40"x15", small brighter nucleus.  Located 6.4' E of NGC 5353.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): faintest member of the NGC 5353 group = HCG 68.  Very faint, very small, very elongated NW-SE.  A close double mag 13 double star at 8" separation is 1.1' SSE.  Located 6.4' E of NGC 5353 and 4.7' SE of NGC 5355.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5358 = St. 11-21 on 15 May 1877 during an observation of the quintet (William Herschel discovered the other 4 members).  He mentioned "5 seen", but didn't list separate positions in his log list.  His published position in list 11 (#21) was reduced on 23 Jun 1880.  Hermann Vogel found the galaxy again on 3 Jun 1883 with the 27-inch Grubb refractor at Vienna.

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NGC 5359 = ESO 066-004

14 00 10 -70 23 10; Cir

 

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 76x I immediately noticed a 15' irregular chain of two dozen stars, roughly forming the outline of an animal - approximating a dog or horse.  Within the position of the "head" of this figure is a pair of equal mag 10.5 stars at 11" separation.  In fact, many of the brighter stars are 10th-11th magnitude.  This chain is well detached in the field so it stands out well, although there are no dense spots and this loose group appears to be an asterism.  Upping the magnification to 228x, at least 80 stars are visible within a 15' region.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5359 = h3545 on 17 May 1835. On sweep 598 he recorded "Cl VIII class, irreg fig, 8' dia, consists of about a dozen stars 11m, and a great many 12, 13, 14m."  RNGC classifies this object as a nonexistent cluster.

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NGC 5360 = IC 958? = UGC 8838 = MCG +01-36-001 = CGCG 046-003 = Holm 557b = LGG 362-003 = PGC 49513

13 55 38.8 +04 59 05; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 2.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (4/28/90): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.6'.  A mag 14 star is at the west edge 40" from center.  Forms a pair with brighter and larger NGC 5364 8' ENE.  Fourth of 7 in the NGC 5363 group.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5360 = m 268 on 8 May 1864 and noted "vF, vS, lE."  His position (to the nearest min of dec) is 1.5' too far north. 

 

Lewis Swift possibly found this galaxy again on 19 Apr 1890 and recorded "eeeF; pS; iR; seen only by glimpses."  His position is 3.5' northeast of NGC 5360. Dreyer assumed this was a new object and catalogued it as IC 958.  Harold Corwin suggests IC 958 = NGC 5360, though questions why Swift didn't mention nearby NGC 5364.  See entry for IC 958 for more.

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NGC 5361 = MCG +07-29-015 = CGCG 219-025 = PGC 49441

13 54 35.2 +38 26 58; CVn

V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Located 1.0' SW of a mag 12.5 star.  The 220x field is devoid of any brighter stars.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5361 = H. III-682 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and noted "eF, vS, E, sp a small star.  His position is 1' southwest of CGCG 219-025 = PGC 49441 and the description matches.

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NGC 5362 = UGC 8835 = MCG +07-29-016 = CGCG 219-026 = LGG 363-003 = PGC 49464

13 54 53.3 +41 18 49; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 2.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration, hint of a faint stellar nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5362 = H. II-671 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "pB, pL, E."  His position was 2' too far south.

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NGC 5363 = UGC 8847 = MCG +01-36-002 = CGCG 046-007 = LGG 362-005 = PGC 49547

13 56 07.2 +05 15 17; Vir

V = 10.1;  Size 4.1'x2.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 135°

 

18" (3/29/03): at 450x this fairly large, oval galaxy has a mottled appearance.  The bright stellar nucleus appears like a bright superimposed star (images confirm a star very near the center!) surrounded by a bright core.  Located 3.8' SW of SAO 120182 = STT 273, an 8.4/8.9 pair at just 1.0" that was resolved at this power.

 

17.5" (4/28/90): very bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very bright core, sharp stellar nucleus.  Located 3.8' SW of mag 8.0 SAO 120182 (close double STT 273 = 8.4/8.9 at 1.0").  Brightest in a large group of 7 galaxies with NGC 5364 14.5' S and NGC 5373 15' E.

 

8" (5/21/82): bright, small, round, small bright nucleus.  A mag 8 star is 4' E.  NGC 5364 lies 14' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5363 = H. I-6 = h1703 on 19 Jan 1784 (sweep 89) and recorded "a pL nebula, not cometic.  It seems resolvable, but I have no apparatus at hand for applying high powers."  On 12 May 1793 he noted "vB, cL, BN."

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NGC 5364 = NGC 5317 = UGC 8853 = MCG +01-36-003 = CGCG 046-009 = Holm 557a = PGC 49555

13 56 11.9 +05 00 53; Vir

V = 10.5;  Size 6.8'x4.4';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 30°

 

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; very bright, very large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~4.5'x3.0'.  Strongly concentrated with a bright 1.5'x1.0' oval core that increased to a small bright nucleus with direct vision.  There was a strong suggestion of spiral structure (arcs) in the large halo, but the contrast was too low to trace the arms.  Two mag 14.2/14.4 stars are at the edge of the halo on the NW side and form the base of a thin isosceles triangle with the nucleus.  Although the core region was well defined, it didn't appear as a ring.

 

17.5" (4/28/90): moderately bright, large, broad weak concentration, elongated SW-NE.  Two mag 14 stars are 1.6' NW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5360 8' WSW and NGC 5363 lies 14.5' N.  Sixth of seven in the NGC 5363 group. 

 

8" (5/21/82): faint, large, diffuse glow.  Forms an unusual pair with smaller but brighter NGC 5363 14' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5364 = H. II-534 = h1705 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and recorded "pB, vL, gradually brighter in the middle."

 

Bindon Stoney found it again on 14 Apr 1852 at Birr Castle and assumed it to be new, so John Herschel catalogued it also as GC 3703.  Dreyer combined the two GC entries in the NGC.  Harold Corwin suggests that JH's observation of h1678 (later NGC 5317), which he assumed to be new, may be a duplicate observation with a 5 minute error in RA.

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NGC 5365 = ESO 271-008 = MCG -07-29-002 = PGC 49673

13 57 50.6 -43 55 54; Cen

V = 11.4;  Size 3.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 4°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly bright, fairly small, round,  40" diameter, high surface brightness. Contains a very bright nucleus.  Apparently I missed the low surface brightness out halo.  Several stars are nearby including a mag 10.7 star 3.7' NW, a mag 13 star 2' NW, a mag 12 star 2.9' SSW and a mag 12 star 2.4' SE. Several of these stars form a semicircle cradling the galaxy.  Located 53' NNW of mag 3.9 Upsilon 1 Centauri.

 

NGC 5365B is 9' ESE and NGC 5365A is 13.5' SW. NGC 5365B is a fairly faint, thin edge-on SW-NE, 0.8'x0.2'.  NGC 5365A is also a fairly faint edge-on E-W, 1.5'x0.25'.  A mag 12 star is at the east edge.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5365 = h3547 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "pB; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."  His mean position (two sweeps) is accurate.  While observing NGC 5365 on 18 May 1881 with the 48" Melbourne telescope, Joseph Turner discovered NGC 5365A.  The discovery was not published, so it didn't receive a NGC designation.

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NGC 5366 = MCG +00-36-002 = CGCG 018-007 = PGC 49569

13 56 24.9 -00 14 50; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness.  Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is at the NE end and the galaxy appears to extend from the star in a fan-shape like a faint version of Hubble's Variable Nebula.  Located 2.7' SSW of mag 9 SAO 120186.

 

George Phillips Bond discovered NGC 5366 = HN 14 on 8 Jun 1855 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone Survey.  He noted "a small, round nebula precedes [follows?} star #148, distant 2'."  His position in AN 1453 matches the star in the survey and is 2' north of CGCG 018-007 = PGC 49569.

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NGC 5367 = IC 4347 = Bernes 147 = ESO 325-36

13 57 44 -39 58 42; Cen

Size 4'x3'

 

18" (4/1/19 - OzSky): at 182x; large, bright reflection nebula surrounding a close pair (4") of mag 10/10.5 stars, perhaps 3' diameter.  A small detached halo also surrounds a mag 12 star 2.4' N.

 

ESO 326-042, located 19' ESE, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 5:1 NW-SE, ~1.1'x0.2', smooth even surface brightness.  Located 3.4' NNE of mag 7.9 HD 121912 in a rich Centaurus star field.

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this prominent reflection nebula appears as 2.5' round glow surrounding a delicate pair of mag 10/10.5 stars at 4" separation (HJ 4636).  The nebulosity has a uniform, fairly high surface brightness.  About 2' N and 1.5' NE are a wide pair of mag 12/13 stars.  The star situated 2' N illuminates a small detached piece of nebulosity.  Deep images reveal this nebula is the head of a one degree faint tail (cometary globule CG 12) that streams to the southeast.

 

17.5" (5/4/02): this unusual reflection nebula surrounds a bright, close pair of mag 10.3/10.7 stars at 4" (h4636).  The nebula appeared as a round, fairly faint, 3' glow surrounding the illuminating stars.  Although the elevation was only 10° at the time of the observation, the hazy glow was pretty evident.  A brighter mag 9 star lies 4' ENE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5367 = h3548 on 26 Jun 1834 and recorded "a close double star in a vL, B, luminous atmosphere, 2' diameter. The star A which is quite as bright, has no such atmosphere. The atmosphere is very little brighter middle. The star was not noticed as double till too late for a good measure after I showed the object to my attendant J.S [John Stone]., verified with 240x and 320x. A furious hot north wind, but the definition of stars excellent. It is no illusion, other stars are sharp and brilliant, and have not the least nebulous appearance."  Sketch Plate VI, figure 10.

 

Joseph Turner had a difficult time identifying NGC 5367 on two nights, including 1 Jul 1875, as he was expecting a fairly bright object.  He wrote in his logbook, "It is now so very very faint that it only against a clear black sky it can be seen at all...Herschel's drawing [shows] the double star being in the center of the nebula, while at present the star is near the northeast extremity."  Images show the nebulosity is brighter and more extensive to the west and southwest of the star.  Turner also commented "It must surely have diminished in brightness since H's time, as I cannot imagine that an 18 inch telescope could show it at present, it is so very faint."

 

Lewis Swift rediscovered this reflection nebula on 30 Dec 1897, assumed it was new (despite JH's good position) and described Sw. 11-162 (later IC 4347) as "8m * in center of eeeF nebulosity".  He added the note "This is a perfect speciment of a nebulous star, and the only one I have ever found, and a beautiful one it is."  Swift included this object in a short article in the 1902 Popular Astronomy titled "Remarkable Nebulae".  He noted, "this is a beautiful nebulous star of the 8th mag exactly in the center of a nebulous atmosphere, whose outlines are a sharp as the planet Jupiter."  Both Swift and Dreyer missed that IC 4347 = NGC 5367, despite the similar positions and descriptions. 

 

The nebulosity was included in the Catalogue of Bright Nebulosities in Opaque Dust Clouds by Bernes as No. 147. He described it as a reflection nebula 4' x 3' (measured north-south by east-west), appearing very bright on the blue plate. He noted the nebulosity is located on the edge of the cometary globular CG 12, which measures 20'x8'.

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NGC 5368 = UGC 8834 = MCG +09-23-014 = CGCG 272-012 = PGC 49431

13 54 29.2 +54 19 50; UMa

V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): fairly faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, broad weak concentration, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.6' SSW a mag 13 star.  UGC 8882  lies 28' SE.  Located 1.3 degrees west of M101.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5368 = H. III-786 = h1706 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "vF, vS, stellar neb."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5369 = PGC 49583

13 56 37.6 -05 28 12; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 40"x30", weak concentration to a brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 2.0' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5369 = H. III-285 = h1704 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and recorded "eF, vS, requires much attention to be distinguished."  There is nothing at his position by 25 sec of RA west and 4' north is PGC 49583.  John Herschel also noted his "place precarious" and marked the RA and Dec as very uncertain.  Still his position was closer than his father's - the RA was 14 sec too large and the dec off by 1.5'.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1908 at the Cincinnati Observatory.

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NGC 5370 = UGC 8832 = MCG +10-20-044 = CGCG 295-022 = PGC 49408

13 54 09.4 +60 40 41; UMa

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (7/22/01): fairly faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak even concentration to a slightly brighter 15" core and a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.4' SSW of a mag 12.5 star.  Two mag 10/11 stars lie 6'-7' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5370 = H. II-843 = h1708 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "F, S."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' north of UGC 8832.

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NGC 5371 = NGC 5390 = UGC 8846 = MCG +07-29-020 = CGCG 219-029 = LGG 361-011 = PGC 49514

13 55 39.9 +40 27 42; CVn

V = 10.6;  Size 4.4'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 8°

 

48" (4/28/22): NGC 5371 is a highly detailed spiral with three main arms and displayed most of the detail visible on the DSS at 488x.  The galaxy is elongated ~4'x3' in a N-S orientation and contains a very bright round core/nucleus with a short, weak central bar running E-W.  A long, low surface brightness outer arm sweeps due north from the east end of the bar. A slightly brighter HII knot is along its NE edge [1.4' from center]. The arm dims, but extends clockwise around the north edge of the halo. A mag 9 star is beyond the arm, 2.6' NE of center.

 

The outer southern arm is thin and better defined. It begins N of the core and sweeps more than 180° clockwise along the W side. It reaches the S end of the halo and dims, but vaguely reaches the SE edge. The arm contains a 12"-15" bright knot 1.2' SW of center [massive star-forming region], with a second faint knot 1.6' SSW of center. An inner arm is rooted near the W end of the bar and rotates 90° from W to S, between the core and the southern arm.

 

24" (7/1/16): very bright and large, elongated 4:3 N-S, contains a relatively small brighter core that is slightly elongated E-W (central bar).  The large outer halo shows spiral structure.  A spiral arm emerges from the north side and sweeps west and then south. A more ill defined arm is visible on the east side, extending to the north.  A mag 9 star is 2.6' NE.  The HCG 68 quintet (including NGCs 5350, 5353 and 5354) is ~25' SW.  NGC 5371 is the brightest in a large group (LGG 361) with 13 NGC galaxies.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): bright, fairly large, small bright nucleus, slightly elongated N-S.  Located 2.5' SW of mag 9.1 SAO 44805.

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly bright, fairly large, diffuse oval halo.

 

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5371 = H. II-716 = h1707 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and logged "F, R, about 1 1/2' dia, little brighter in the middle."  NGC 5390 is a duplicate observation by John Herschel (see that number).  Birr Castle assistant Samuel Hunter recorded it on 12 Apr 1861 as "pL, elongated, irregular; Nucl like a dull star; sharp on preceding and south preceding edges [edge of spiral arm], at the other sides it fades off gradually, it may be a spiral."

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NGC 5372 = UGC 8843 = MCG +10-20-046 = CGCG 295-024 = LGG 360-008 = PGC 49451

13 54 46.0 +58 40 00; UMa

V = 13.2;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Fairly high surface brightness though only a weak concentration.  Forms the east vertex of a "keystone" with three mag 10-11 stars with longer sides of 5'.  UGC 8836 is located 16' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5372 = H. III-809 = h1709 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and noted "vF, vS."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 4' south of UGC 8843.  John Herschel made a single observation (sweep 345) and logged "not vF; S; E.  I suspect it to be a double *13 and 14m involved in a nebula. His position is 2' too far southwest.

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NGC 5373 = CGCG 046-014 = PGC 49620

13 57 07.4 +05 15 07; Vir

V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

 

17.5" (4/28/90): extremely faint and small, round, low even surface brightness.  Located 4' WNW of mag 9 SAO 120194.  NGC 5363 lies 15' W.  Last of 7 NGC galaxies in the NGC 5363 group.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5373 = m 269 on 8 May 1864 and noted "vF, vS, stell."  His position is within 1' of CGCG 046-014.  Bigourdan could not find the galaxy (perhaps too faint).

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NGC 5374 = UGC 8874 = MCG +01-36-004 = CGCG 046-016 = PGC 49650

13 57 29.7 +06 05 49; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.2' W.  Located within a group of four mag 9 stars including mag 8.9 SAO 120193 6.3' SW, and mag 9 stars 5.6' NE and 5.8' WSW.  The bright star field also includes several mag 11 stars.  First in loose group of five galaxies with NGC 5387 14' ESE and NGC 5382 15' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5374 = H. II-889 = h1710 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and logged "pB, R, pL, just following a small star."  John Herschel first observed NGC 5374 on 11 May 1828 (sweep 154) and recorded "F; S; lE; very gradually brighter middle; follows a * 4 sec [of RA]."  He made a total of 4 observations.

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NGC 5375 = NGC 5396 = UGC 8865 = MCG +05-33-027 = CGCG 162-035 = PGC 49604

13 56 56.2 +29 09 51; CVn

V = 11.5;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/19/01): this face-on barred spiral appears moderately bright and large, round, 1.8' diameter.  Contains a sharp, bright 30" core.  A nice trio of mag 12-13 stars forming an equilateral triangle lies 4' WSW.  Located 10' following a mag 9.9 star.

 

John Herschel found NGC 5375 = h1711 on 15 May 1830 and recorded "Not vF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20".  If this be III 125 [NGC 5396], my Father's place is much out in RA. He assigned a separate GC designation for h1711, so Dreyer assigned it NGC 5375, but NGC 5396 is very likely the same object with a 2 minute error in RA.  So, NGC 5375 = NGC 5396.  As John Herschel's position is unambiguous this primary designation has been NGC 5375.

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NGC 5376 = UGC 8852 = MCG +10-20-047 = CGCG 295-025 = PGC 49489

13 55 15.9 +59 30 25; UMa

V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 1.5'x1.0', broad weak concentration with no distinct core.  The NGC 5379/5389 pair lies 15' NNE.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, slightly elongated.  NGC 5389 lies 15.5' NNE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5376 = H. I-238 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and recorded "cB, pL, very gradually much brighter middle, iR."  He found it again on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and assumed it was new.  His first (H. I-238) and second designations (H. II-844) were combined in the NGC.

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NGC 5377 = UGC 8863 = MCG +08-25-052 = CGCG 246-027 = LGG 372-007 = PGC 49563

13 56 16.8 +47 14 07; CVn

V = 11.3;  Size 3.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x0.7', striking very bright compact core with a bright stellar nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5377 = H. I-187 = h1712 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "cB, BN with very gradually fading branches from about 30° sp to nf."  John Herschel made four observations, logging on sweep 255 "vB; mE; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 50" l, 15" br; pos = 40.4° by micrometer.

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NGC 5378 = UGC 8869 = MCG +06-31-027 = CGCG 191-020 = PGC 49598

13 56 51.1 +37 47 48; CVn

V = 12.5;  Size 2.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, diffuse outer halo increases to a small bright core.  Located between mag 9 SAO 63854 4.9' ESE and mag 9.5 SAO 63843 4.3' NW.  NGC 5380 lies 11.5' S.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5378 = h1713 on 11 Mar 1831 and recorded "pB; lE; very gradually little brighter middle."  His single position is good.

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NGC 5379 = UGC 8860 = MCG +10-20-049 = CGCG 295-026 = Holm 561b = PGC 49508

13 55 34.3 +59 44 34; UMa

V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 60°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.4', weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 5389 4.1' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5379 = H. I-239 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926), along with NGC 5389, and recorded "pB, E, S."  His position matches UGC 8860.

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NGC 5380 = UGC 8870 = MCG +06-31-028 = CGCG 191-021 = PGC 49605

13 56 56.9 +37 36 37; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (6/6/86): moderately bright, small, bright core contains a stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5378 11.5' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5380 = H. II-698 = h1714 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "F, S, R, very suddenly much brighter middle."  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5381 = ESO 133-11 = OCL-915

14 00 42 -59 35 12; Cen

Size 14'

 

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): NGC 5381 is a fairly rich cluster in a superb Milky Way field.  Roughly 75 stars were resolved over unresolved background glow within a 8'x6' region, elongated southwest to northeast, although there was no distinct boundary to the cluster (the surrounding field gradually thinned).  The brightest star is mag 9.6 HD 121947 on the southwest end and mag 10.5 HD 121900 is on the west side.  Extending the cluster to a 1' group of mag 11-12.5 stars off the northeast side, increases the dimensions to 10'x7'.  NGC 5381 is located 54' NNW of Beta Centauri (Hadar)!

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5381 = h3549 on 3 May 1835 and recorded "Cl VIII class; 8' long; 5' broad; stars 12 and 13m [N.B. - it is evident that in this obs, probably from defective weather, the eS stars of this cl were not seen."  On sweep 790 he logged "Cl VI; F; rich; high compressed; consists of pL and eS st; fig oblong; 10' l; 7' br; place that of chief * 9m."

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NGC 5382 = UGC 8885 = MCG +01-36-007 = CGCG 046-022 = PGC 49711

13 58 15.0 +06 15 31; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, very bright core, stellar nucleus, very small halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 5386 5.1' NNE.  NGC 5387 lies 12' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5382 = H. III-546 = h1715, along with NGC 5386, on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557). He recorded both as "Two, the place taken between them; both very faint, very small, resolvable.  The situation not far from the meridian; from sp to nf."  John Herschel called this galaxy "like a * 15m rubbed out."

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NGC 5383 = UGC 8875 = MCG +07-29-023 = CGCG 219-033 = Mrk 281 = LGG 363-004 = PGC 49618

13 57 05.0 +41 50 47; CVn

V = 11.4;  Size 3.2'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 85°

 

48" (5/9/18): at 375x and 610x; I was impressed by the prominent "Z"-shaped barred spiral appearance!  NGC 5383 is strongly concentrated with a very bright oval core, ~0.6' diameter, containing a very small brighter nucleus.  The core isn't elongated in the direction of the bar, though, but angles WSW-ENE towards an 8" pair of mag 14 stars 1.1' from center.  The central bar is oriented NW-SE and extends ~1.5' x 0.4'.  At both ends of the bar are relatively large, bright knots (regions of enhanced star formation), ~18" diameter.  A fairly thin, striking "wing" (spiral arm) extends ~0.7' SW from the SE end of the bar, forming a sharp right angle.  A less distinct and shorter arm angles NE from the NW end of the bar, completing the "Z" with a "stroke" (core) outline.   A low surface brightness, roundish halo, encompasses the striking shape.  Two mag 16-16.5 stars are superimposed north of the core.  Member of the NGC 5353/5371 Group (LGG 363/361).

 

UGC 8877, a very low surface brightness dwarf, lies 3' S.  At 610x it appeared faint, fairly large, low even surface brightness.  This face-on barred spiral didn't display any structure due to an anemic surface brightness. A mag 10.8 star is 2' ENE.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 2.5'x2.0'.  Contains a prominent bright core about 45"x30" elongated E-W (bar) with the fainter halo tilted 45° with respect to the core.  A close pair of mag 14 stars at 8" separation is at the east edge 1.1' from center.  Located near the midpoint of mag 10.5 and 12 stars 3' SE and NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5383 = H. I-181 = h1717 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "cB, cL, mbM."  John Herschel made a single observation: "not vB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."

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NGC 5384 = UGC 8886 = MCG +01-36-008 = CGCG 046-023 = PGC 49707

13 58 13.0 +06 31 05; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 56°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 3.2' SE of a mag 9.5 star.  NGC 5386 lies 11' SSE.  This is the farthest north in string of four galaxies.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5384 = m 270 on 8 May 1864 and noted "F, vS, stellar." His declination is 1' too far south.

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NGC 5385

13 52 19 +76 10 48; UMi

Size 7'

 

17.5" (5/23/98): this group consists of 11 similar mag 11.5-12.5 stars in a 7'x3' field elongated NW-SE and a couple of much fainter stars.  The grouping is unconcentrated and the stars are pretty evenly distributed with no close pairs.  Radial velocities show this group is an asterism and not a true cluster, although it stands out reasonably well at low power.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5385 = h1721 on 5 May 1831 and reported "A cluster of 11 stars 11m, and 2 of 15m."  His position corresponds with a mag 11 star at the center of this asterism.  Villanova (2004, A&A, 428, 67) conclude this is a random enhancement of field stars and not a cluster based  on the random radial velocities (no common motion) of the stars.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 5386 = UGC 8890 = MCG +01-36-010 = CGCG 046-024 = PGC 49719

13 58 22.4 +06 20 20; Vir

V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 51°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is just off the SW edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 5382 5' SSW.  NGC 5384 lies 11' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5386 = H. III-547 = h1716, along with NGC 5382, on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557).  He recorded both as "Two, the place taken between them; both very faint, very small, resolvable.  The situation not far from the meridian; from sp to nf."  John Herschel called this galaxy "a neb like a double star obliterated; pos by diam = 55° or 60°."

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NGC 5387 = UGC 8891 = MCG +01-36-011 = CGCG 046-026 = PGC 49724

13 58 24.8 +06 04 14; Vir

V = 13.9;  Size 1.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 22°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, fairly small, edge-on 6:1 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.25', low even surface brightness.  NGC 5382, NGC 5386 and NGC 5384 are nearly all collinear to the north with NGC 5382 12' NNW and NGC 5374 14' W.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5387 = m 271 on 8 May 1864 and noted "vF ray, 2' l."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5388

13 58 54 -14 09; Vir

 

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

 

Frank Muller discovered NGC 5388 = LM 1-199 on 4 May 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag = 12.0, S, R, very gradually brighter middle".  There is nothing at his position and Harold Corwin was unable to recover this object despite having a copy of Muller's sketch.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 5389 = UGC 8866 = MCG +10-20-051 = CGCG 295-027 = Holm 561a = PGC 49548

13 56 06.4 +59 44 31; UMa

V = 12.0;  Size 3.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 3°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 N-S, 2.5'x0.8'.  Strong concentration with a prominent core, fades at ends of the extensions.  Located 3.9' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 16223.  A nice evenly matched pair of mag 11.5 stars at 27" separation lies 5' NNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5379 4.1' W.

 

8" (5/21/82 and 4/24/82): faint, small, elongated N-S, bright core.  NGC 5376 lies 15' SSW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5379 4.1' W (not seen).  Located 4' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 16223.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5389 = H. I-240 = h1719 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926), along with NGC 5379, and recorded "pB or almost cB, E, B small ncl."  His position matches UGC 8866.

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NGC 5390 = NGC 5371: = UGC 8846 = MCG +07-29-020 = CGCG 219-029 = LGG 361-011 = PGC 49514

13 55 39.9 +40 27 42; CVn

V = 10.6;  Size 4.4'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 8°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5371.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5390 = h1718 on 18 Mar 1831 and recorded "F; L; very gradually brighter middle; has a * 9m; nf, 4' dist."  There is nothing at his position (marked as uncertain), but 1.7 min of RA west is NGC 5371 (observed by JH on a separate sweep) and the description of the nearby star applies.  Karl Reinmuth reported "no L neb and no *9 nf found; =N5371?".  So, NGC 5390 = NGC 5371, with NGC 5371 the primary designation.  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5391

13 57 36 +46 19; CVn

 

= Not found, Corwin

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5391 = Sw. 1-26 on 16 Jun 1884 and recorded "F, vS, to nu. * very close."  There is nothing at his position.  The closest galaxy is MCG +08-25-054 = 49609 about 7' southwest, although there is no "* very close" to this galaxy.  RNGC and PGC identify this galaxy as NGC 5391.  But Harold Corwin rejects this identification because of the missing star as well as his description "F", which should be "eF" or "eeF" for this galaxy.  So, it listed here as "not found".

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NGC 5392 = MCG +00-36-005 = CGCG 018-013 = PGC 49792

13 59 24.8 -03 12 33; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6', brighter core.  Only faint stars in surrounding field. Incorrect RA in the RNGC (2.0 time-min E).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5392 = H. III-666 = h1720 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 730) and noted "eF, vS."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 tmin west is CGCG 018-013 = PGC 49792.  John Herschel logged "F; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 20"." and measured an accurate position used in the GC and NGC. The RNGC RA is exactly 2.0 tmin too large (probably a typo).

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NGC 5393 = ESO 445-087 = MCG -05-33-035 = PGC 49863

14 00 31.9 -28 52 30; Hya

V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4

 

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.7', moderate surface brightness.  There are a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars in the 21' field.  IC 4351 lies 40' SW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5393 = h3550 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25"."  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5394 = Arp 84N = VV 48b = Holm 563b = UGC 8898 = MCG +06-31-033 = CGCG 191-024 = PGC 49739 = Heron Galaxy

13 58 33.6 +37 27 12; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

48" (4/1/11): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30"x24", sharply concentrated with a bright, stellar nucleus.  A faint arm is visible attached at the SW end that hooks SE towards the NW side of NGC 5995.  A fainter arm, which was only visible intermittently, is attached at the NE end and hooks NW.

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".  A faint star is off the east end (due north of NGC 5395).  Forms the NNW component of a contact pair with NGC 5395, just 1.8' between centers.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): this is the fainter northern member of a contact system with brighter NGC 5395 connected at the south tip (2.0' between centers)!  Fairly faint, very small, round, brighter core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5394 = H. I-191 = h1722, along with NGC 5395, on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738).  He described both as"Two, that of the south [NGC 5395] cB, cL.  That to the north [NGC 5394], pB, S.  Distance about 1.5'."  John Herschel called NGC 5394 the "smaller and np of 2 which nearly join, constituting a double nebula."

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NGC 5395 = Arp 84S = VV 48a = UGC 8900 = MCG +06-31-034 = CGCG 191-026 = I Zw 77 = Holm 563a = PGC 49747 = Heron Galaxy

13 58 37.5 +37 25 32; CVn

V = 11.4;  Size 2.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 167°

 

48" (4/1/11): the Heron Galaxy was a remarkable interacting pair at 375x and 488x.  The main galaxy (NGC 5395) was extremely bright, elongated 5:2 N-S, 2.5'x1.1', contains a blazing 30" core and a mottled, clumpy appearance.  The most prominent feature is a well-defined, long arm that begins to the north of the core and wraps all the way around the core.  This arm shoots past the core just to its east and heads directly south. The knotty arm then tightly curves back around towards the north on the west side, extending the full length of the galaxy and angling slightly towards smaller NGC 5395.  A dark lane separates the core region from the arm on the west side.  An irregular extension (or part of an arm) branches north from the main arm on the north side of the core and culminates at a brighter region or knot at the north end of the galaxy.  NGC 5394 is 1.9' NW of center and one of the arms of this galaxy attaches to NGC 5395 on the NW side.

 

18" (5/3/08): at 280x appeared fairly bright, very elongated ~3:1 N-S, 1.7'x0.5', brighter 25"x20" core, irregular appearance with a brighter knot or extension on the NW side.  Forms a close, interacting pair with NGC 5394 1.8' NNW.  A very faint extension or haze is off the west side (this is an "arm" that interacts with NGC 5394).  Several faint stars are near including a mag 13.5 1.7' S of center, a mag 15 star 1.9' N of center and another mag 15 star ~1.5' WNW of center.  IC 4356 lies 4' NNW.

 

18" (4/26/08): this is the brighter and larger member of an interesting interacting pair with NGC 5394.  Appears fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.5'x0.5', broad concentration with a brighter core.  The galaxy has a mottled, irregular surface with a slightly brighter linear streak is on the NE end with the impression of a very faint, round knot on the north end.  An extremely faint hazy extension (spiral arm) was highly suspected on the west side in the direction of NGC 5394 located 1.8' NNW of center.  A mag 13.5 star is off the south end.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly bright, elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, small bright nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is off the south edge 1.7' from center.  There is an impression of a dark lane on the west side and an extremely faint arm beyond the lane (agrees with POSS).  Forms a contact system with NGC 5394 at the NNW edge!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5395 = H. I-190 = h1723, along with NGC 5394, on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738).  His description reads, "Two, that of the south [NGC 5395] cB, cL. Distance about 1.5'."  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.

 

Spiral structure was recorded several times at Birr Castle, though the observations are listed in the 1861 and 1880 publications under h1713 = GC 3717 = NGC 5378.  On 24 Apr 1854, R.J. Mitchell logged "centre pB; oval ns, among sev st.  I thought the n end the broader and suspected a dark space preceding nucleus.  A pB patch of neby np."  On 1 May 1854 he added "Singular object; the main body of neb has a B Nucl and is E ns, the southern end bends back suddenly at a sharp angle and extends np past the neb, ending in a B, R patch or Nucl."  On 19 Feb 1855, he reported "Neby seems to reach the knot np.  There is knot or star in the arm preceding and some condensation in the centre of neb.  I think F neby reaches up to the star north.  Finally, he sketched the pair on 17 Apr 1855 (Plate 28, Fig. 30 in the 1861 Monograph) and noted "Mr Johnstone Stoney [who was off from his professorial duties at Queen's College Galway] saw the preceding branch extend round the south end of the main neb and continued on to the north, when after a second turn it joined the nucleus."

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NGC 5396 = NGC 5375 = UGC 8865 = MCG +05-33-027 = CGCG 162-035 = PGC 49604

13 56 56.2 +29 09 51; CVn

V = 11.5;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 0°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5375.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5396 = H. III-125 on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "vF, S, irregularly round, little brighter middle, almost stellar, but a little large for that name."  There is nothing at his position, but 2.0 min of RA west is NGC 5375 (found by JH on 15 May 1830).  Dreyer suggests that NGC 5396 is identical to NGC 5375 in his 1912 revision of William Herschel's catalogues and Harold Corwin agrees. If these numbers are equivalent, NGC 5396 should take historical precedence as the primary designation, although NGC 5375 is the standard designation based on the unambiguous position.

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NGC 5397 = ESO 384-031 = MCG -06-31-013 = LGG 369-005 = PGC 49908

14 01 10.5 -33 56 45; Cen

V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 60°

 

18" (5/16/09): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 40"x35".  This galaxy is located on the west side of ACO S753, 31' due west of NGC 5419.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5397 = h3551 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."  His position is 1' too far southwest.

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NGC 5398 = AM 1358-324 = UGCA 379 = ESO 384-032 = MCG -05-33-037 = PGC 49923

14 01 21.4 -33 03 48; Cen

V = 12.3;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 170°

 

24" (6/1/13): at 225x (and low elevation) appeared fairly faint, moderately large, ~1.2'x0.9', weak concentration with a slightly brighter 0.4' core.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness and fades into the background so the dimensions were difficult to gauge.

 

Tol 89, a supergiant HII region with multiple young massive clusters, is close southwest of the core [33" from center at the end of the central bar].  It was visible as a very faint 10" knot, appearing like a smaller version of the core.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5398 = h3552 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "pB; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 90"."  His position is accurate.  In the foreground of ACO S753?

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NGC 5399 = UGC 8912 = MCG +06-31-039 = CGCG 191-027 = PGC 49799

13 59 31.4 +34 46 25; CVn

V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, thin edge-on E-W, 1.0'x0.25', weak concentration.  Forms the western vertex of a triangle with two mag 11/12 star 3' NE and 4.4' E.  MCG +06-31-035 lies 19' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5399 = H. III-411 = h1724 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "eF, vS."  John Herschel made two observations and recorded on sweep 131 "vF; vS; pmE in parallel [E-W]."

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NGC 5400 = MCG +00-36-008 = CGCG 018-020 = PGC 49869

14 00 37.2 -02 51 28; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

 

48" (5/16/12): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~1.2'x0.9', sharply concentrated with a very bright core and faint outer halo.  This bright E or S0 is the brightest and centrally situated in a north-south string of 6 galaxies.  The two closest are PGC 140239, 1.7' NNE, and LEDA 1080934 just 55" S of center.  The first galaxy appeared fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 18"x9". 

 

18" (6/30/11): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, ~25" diameter.  Contains a very small bright core surrounded by a small roundish halo.  Difficult to determine an orientation as different portions of the lower surface brightness halo are sometimes visible with averted.  IC 968, a close double system, lies 3' due south.  LEDA 1080934, an extremely faint, small galaxy (V = 15.5) was occasionally glimpsed 55" S of center, on a line with IC 968.  This cD galaxy is the dominant member of MKW 5, a poor cluster at a distance of ~340 million light years.

 

17.5" (5/11/96): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weakly concentrated.  A mag 10.5 star is 4.7' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5400 = H. III-667 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 730) and noted "eF, vS.  300 verified it."  His RA is 9 tsec too large.

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NGC 5401 = UGC 8916 = MCG +06-31-040 = CGCG 191-028 = PGC 49810

13 59 43.3 +36 14 17; CVn

V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 81°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint but striking edge-on ~4:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.25'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, round core and a stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 2.5' NW.  Located 9' SW of mag 9 SAO 63874.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5401 = H. III-412 = h1725 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, vS."   On 27 Apr 1827 (sweep 72) John Herschel called it "Faint; small; elongated; bright in the middle".

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NGC 5402 = UGC 8903 = MCG +10-20-054 = CGCG 295-029 = PGC 49712

13 58 16.5 +59 48 55; UMa

V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 167°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, thin edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 60"x15".  Contains a very small brighter core with very thin extensions.  A mag 15 star is off the south end, 1.1' from center.  Located 4' SSE of a mag 11.5 star.  A pair of galaxies, NGC 5389 and NGC 5379 lie ~20' WSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5402 = H. III-810 = h1727 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926) and logged "cF, vS, R."  John Herschel made a single observation and his position is 1.5' north of UGC 8903.

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NGC 5403 = VV 310a = UGC 8919 = MCG +06-31-041 = CGCG 191-029 = Holm 564a = PGC 49820

13 59 51.0 +38 10 57; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 3.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 145°

 

48" (4/7/13): at 488x appeared bright, very large, excellent edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 3.0'x0.6', broad concentration with a brighter, bulging, elongated core, ~25" diameter.  The edge-on disc tapers towards the tips.  A subtle equatorial dust lane passes just east of the core region, slicing the galaxy in half, though the section east of the dust is fainter and contains much less of the core.

 

NGC 5403A = CGCG 191-030 lies 1.7' NE and is angled perpendicular to the major axis of NGC 5403, on line with the core.  It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.2', brighter core.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): very faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.5'x0.8'.  Bulging central region but overall has a low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5403A just 1.6' NE of center.  The companion appeared very faint, small, round.  Appears as a low surface brightness spot with no concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5403 = H. III-683 = h1726 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "cF, pL, iF."  John Herschel simply logged "eF; pL", and measured an accurate position.  He missed the nearby companion.

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NGC 5404

14 01 07.5 +00 05 19; Vir

V = 12.9

 

= *, Corwin.

 

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 5404 = HN 17 on 29 Apr 1859 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars and simply noted a "nebulous star".  At his position is a 13.2-magnitude star with a 14.2-mag companion 20" south.  Karl Reinmuth found a "**11.7 and 13.0 dist 0.7' in PA 0 deg; no nebulosity seen" on a Heidelberg plate.  See Corwin's comments on Coolidge's discoveries.

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NGC 5405 = UGC 8928 = MCG +01-36-014 = CGCG 046-036 = PGC 49906

14 01 09.4 +07 42 07; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 8' SW of a mag 10 star and about 1.5° SSW of the NGC 5416 cluster. NGC 5418 lies 17' E.

 

Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 5405 on 3 Mar 1883 with a 16.3-cm refractor while searching for comet d'Arrest.  His discovery position in AN 2507 is accurate. This was his first of 7 NGC galaxies (5 were new discoveries) he discovered.  Hartwig is most famous for discovering the supernova in M31 (S And) on 20 Aug 1885.

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NGC 5406 = UGC 8925 = MCG +07-29-031 = CGCG 219-038 = PGC 49847

14 00 20.2 +38 54 56; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.5'x1.2'.  Weak concentration except for a sharp sub-stellar nucleus that stands out with direct vision.  Located 6.9' S of mag 6.7 SAO 63881.  NGC 5407 lies 15' NNE.

 

8" (5/26/84): faint, small, round.  Fairly easy but a mag 6.7 star 7' N interferes with viewing.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5406 = H. II-699 = h1728 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and noted "F, pL."  John Herschel made two observations, logging "vF; S; R; bM."

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NGC 5407 = UGC 8930 = MCG +07-29-033 = CGCG 219-040 = PGC 49890

14 00 50.0 +39 09 22; CVn

V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located with a group of brighter stars and just follows a striking isosceles triangle of mag 11 stars (a mag 13 star is along one side).  Also mag 9 SAO 63883 lies 3.8' W and mag 6.7 SAO 63881 is 9.2' SW!  In same field with NGC 5406 15' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5407 = H. III-684 = h1732 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "vF, vS, R."  John Herschel recorded "vF; vS; R; bM; among a cluster of stars 10m."

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NGC 5408 = ESO 325-047 = MCG -07-29-006 = LGG 344-007 = PGC 50073

14 03 20.9 -41 22 39; Cen

V = 11.6;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 63°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 200x; NGC 5408 appeared fairly faint, small, elongated ~2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.4'.  A faint star is at the southwest end.  Located just 3' NNW of mag 6.1 HD 122532 and the galaxy is bracketed by a mag 10 star 1.5' SW and a mag 11 star 2' E.  The "faint star" noted on the southwest end may be a super-giant star-formation region (Tol 116) or an adjacent superimposed star.

 

This nearby dwarf irregular starburst galaxy lies 15.6 million light years distant in the M83/Centaurus A group.  It was misclassified as a planetary nebula in the first edition of the Sky Catalogue 2000 and NGC 2000.  Henize 3-959 (catalogued as an emission-line star in 1970)  = StWr 4-9 likely refers to the small clump of HII regions on the southwest side of the galaxy.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5408 = h3553 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; E between 2 vS stars, a little sf."  His position (single observation) is 2' south of the emission-line galaxy ESO 325-047.

 

NGC 5408 has a long history of classification confusion.  In 1970, Henize catalogued it as an emission-line star (Hen 3-959) on a H-alpha survey of the southern Milky Way.  In 1972 Stock and Wroblewski “discovered” StrWr 4-9 on objective-prism plates and claimed it was a planetary nebula. The same year Allen reported this object as a peculiar galaxy with a redshift of 500km/s.  In 1974, Sanduleak reclassified Hen 3-959 as a planetary, listing it as the second object (Sa 1-2) in a short table.  Sanduleak also included it his 1975 compilation as Sa 2-102.

 

In 1977 StWr 4-9 was included in Weinberger’s list of new planetaries detected since 1966 and in 1978, Kohoutek included SKWL 4-9 (= StrWr 4-9) in a list of “New Planetary Nebulae” since 1966 with the comment "extragalactic HII region?".  As a result it was included in the 1982 ESO catalogue as a known planetary nebula.  The misclassification continued into the 1980s.

 

In 1983, Agnes Acker included StrWr 4-9 in her “Index and cross-identification of planetary nebulae” as a known planetary nebula and in 1985, NGC 5408 (apparently conflated with StrWr 4-9) was listed in the table of planetary nebulae in Sky Catalogue 2000.0, Vol. 2.  Finally in 1988, NGC 5408 was classified as a planetary in Roger Sinnott's "NGC 2000.0" (Sky Publishing & Cambridge University Press) with reference the Sky Catalogue 2000.0.

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NGC 5409 = UGC 8938 = MCG +02-36-009 = CGCG 074-044 = WBL 486-002 = PGC 49952

14 01 46.2 +09 29 25; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0'.  Just a very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core and an occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Halo fades into background without a distinct edge.  In a trio with CGCG 74-48 3.7' NE and NGC 5416 6.9' ESE and one or two others suspected.  Member of NGC 5416 cluster = ZC 1400.4+0949.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5409 = T. 8-5 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  In the narrative portion of his 6th discovery paper, he noted it was class III, round, and situated 27 sec of RA preceding NGC 5416.  His published position in his 8th discovery paper is 2' too far south.

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NGC 5410 = VV 256a = UGC 8931 = MCG +07-29-034 = CGCG 219-041 = PGC 49893

14 00 54.6 +40 59 19; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (7/16/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration.  There is a mag 15.5 star just off the western edge.  Located 2.2' SE of a mag 12.5 star and 12' NE of mag 8.7 SAO 44838.

 

Forms a close pair with UGC 8932 1.2' NE of center.  The companion appeared extremely faint, small, very elongated ~4:1 in the direction of NGC 5410, ~0.5'x0.1', very low surface brightness.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5410 = H. II-672 = h1729 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "pF, pS, bM." JH's single position is 1' west-northwest the center of UGC 8931, though he missed UGC 8932.

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NGC 5411 = UGC 8940 = MCG +02-36-011 = CGCG 074-047 = WBL 486-005 = PGC 49967

14 01 59.4 +08 56 15; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', very small brighter core.  Situated within a striking field 10' ENE of mag 6.0 SAO 120228 (identified naked-eye).  A neat string of four mag 11 stars oriented SW-NE trails from the bright star towards NGC 5411!

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5411 = T. 8-6 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  He first mentioned this galaxy in the narrative portion of 6th discovery paper and listed a very accurate position in his 8th discovery paper.

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NGC 5412 = UGC 8905 = CGCG 336-033 = PGC 49644

13 57 13.5 +73 37 00; UMi

V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (7/16/01): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 40"x35".  Weakly concentrated halo but embedded is a very small 5" brighter core.  Situated near midpoint of mag 14 stars 4.8' NW and 4' SE.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration to a "confused" center.  A mag 12 double at 16" separation lies 8' due west.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5412 = Sw. 3-77 on 18 Jun 1884 and recorded "pF; S; R; double star nr preceding."  His position is 9 sec of RA west and 2' south of UGC 8905 and his comment of the double star clinches the identification (the pair is 8' west).

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NGC 5413 = UGC 8901 = MCG +11-17-012 = CGCG 317-012 = PGC 49677

13 57 53.5 +64 54 39; Dra

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  The faint halo rises suddenly to a brighter 15" core and occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located 3.9' NW of mag 7.0 SAO 16234 and 53' NW of mag 3.7 Thuban.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5413 = h1733 = Sw. 6-63 on 2 Apr 1832 and recorded "pF; pS; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20"; has a * 7.8m; Delta RA = 37s; Delta PD = 60" +/-."  His RA is 1.1 min too large, but his reference to the nearby mag 7 star clinches the identification.  Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 18 May 1887 and reported it as new in his 6th discovery list.  Swift's position is 8 seconds of RA too large and 1' too far south.  Swift later noticed the equivalence with NGC 5413 and made the correction (as well as a misprint for a nearby double star, instead of B*) in a short errata list at the end of his 8th list.

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NGC 5414 = UGC 8942 = MCG +02-36-013 = CGCG 074-050 = Mrk 800 = PGC 49976

14 02 03.6 +09 55 46; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 172°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.6'x0.4', fairly high surface brightness, bright core, faint stellar nucleus at moments with direct vision.  A mag 11 star is 2.0' NE.  Located at the north edge of the NGC 5416 cluster (30' N of NGC 5416) and brightest in small subgroup with CGCG 074-043 6.0' SW and two extremely faint anonymous companions 1.8' NW and 2.1' N.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5414 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416.  He described it in the narrative portion of his 6th discovery paper as "the sixth (new nebula in the group) is small, certainly has a stellar nucleus and a mag 10-11 star is north-following by 2 to 3'."  He provided positions in his 8th paper for all his discoveries in the group, except this object.  The NGC position is 7' south of UGC 8942, although his description of the nearby star matches.

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NGC 5415 = CGCG 336-032 = PGC 49610

13 56 56.9 +70 45 16; UMi

V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms east vertex of a nearly equilateral triangle with two mag 13/14.5 stars ~1.5' W and a similar distance NW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5415 = Sw. 3-78 on 8 Apr 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; R; forms a triangle with 2 F st."  His position is roughly midway between CGCG 336-032 and fainter CGCG 336-035, but Harold Corwin notes that Swift's comment "forms a triangle with 2 F stars" applies to brighter CGCG 336-032.

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NGC 5416 = UGC 8944 = MCG +02-36-014 = CGCG 074-052 = WBL 486-008 = PGC 49991

14 02 11.4 +09 26 24; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.9', broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.9' S and a mag 11.5 star 4.7' NNE.  Brightest in a cluster although just slightly more prominent than NGC 5409 6.9' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5416 = H. III-56 = T. 8-7 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 179) and noted "eF, vS, E, r."   Wilhelm Tempel measured an accurate position on 25 Apr 1883 (published in the table of his 8th list) and discovered 6 members of the NGC 5416 group (NGCs 5409, 5423, 5431, 5434, 5436, 5437)

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NGC 5417 = UGC 8943 = MCG +01-36-015 = CGCG 046-039 = PGC 49995

14 02 13.1 +08 02 13; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (6/8/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6'.  Sharp concentration with a small, bright rounder core.  A 10' string of mag 12-13 stars precedes the galaxy with a mag 10 star at the west end.  A second mag 10 star is 5.7' SW.  NGC 5418 lies 21' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5417 = H. III-11 = h1730 on 23 Jan 1784 (early sweep 109) and recorded "a nebulous star, extremely obscure or faint."  Caroline added the note "The RA was not taken at the moment and was marked as very uncertain."  There is nothing at his RA, but 1 min 15 sec of time preceding is UGC 8943.  John Herschel made 4 observations and his mean position matches UGC 8943.

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NGC 5418 = UGC 8946 = MCG +01-36-016 = CGCG 046-040 = PGC 49997

14 02 17.7 +07 41 01; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 44°

 

17.5" (6/8/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.5'.  Only a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  No foreground stars lie within 5' of galaxy.  NGC 5417 is in the same low power field 21' N and NGC 5405 lies 17' W.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5418 = h1731 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "vF; R; bM; well seen."  His position matches UGC 8946.

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NGC 5419 = ESO 384-039 = MCG -06-31-019 = LGG 369-006 = PGC 50100

14 03 38.7 -33 58 43; Cen

V = 10.8;  Size 4.2'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 77°

 

18" (5/16/09): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.5'x1.3'.  Contains a bright, 20" core.  This is the brightest member and sits at the core of ACO S753.  Several faint members are in the field including a pair of galaxies 5.7' and 7.2' SW and ESO 384-037 is 5.7' due south.  A mag 14.8 GSC star is 3.4' S but it appeared slightly fuzzy.  The DSS shows a compact anonymous galaxy on the south side of the star, so I probably noticed the unresolved glow of both objects.

 

PGC 89829: Faint, very small, round (spindle on the DSS), 15" diameter.  Picked up  7' SW of NGC 5419.  Forms a pair with difficult 2MASX J14031458-3401181 1.6' NE.

 

PGC 86320: Extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  This member of ACO S753 is located 9.5' SW of NGC 5419.

 

PGC 88955: Extremely faint and small.  It required averted vision to glimpse.  Located just 35" NW of a mag 13.3 star and 5.6' SW of NGC 5419.

 

ESO 384-037 = PGC 50093: Faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 22"x15" diameter.  Located 5.7' due south of NGC 5419.  A mag 14.8 star is 2.2' N but it appeared slightly fuzzy.  The DSS reveals a compact galaxy on the south side of the star, so I probably noticed the unresolved glow of both objects.

 

MCG -06-31-020 = PGC 50172: Faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 24" diameter.  A very close double star lies 1.8' S (unresolved but slightly fuzzy).  Located 11.5' E of NGC 5419.

 

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, brighter core (outer halo not seen).  Very easy object at a fairly low elevation.  Brightest member of the cluster ACO S753 (no other members seen).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5419 = h3554 on 1 May 1834 and recorded "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50"." His mean position (based on 3 observations) matches ESO 384-039.

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NGC 5420 = MCG -02-36-006 = PGC 50121

14 03 59.9 -14 37 01; Vir

V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 138°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1' S of the center.

 

18" (6/18/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', slightly brighter core.  Bracketed by two mag 14 stars 1.1' S and 1.8' NE of center.  Located 22' NNW mag 6.4 SAO 158325.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5420 = LM 1-200 on 6 Jun 1885 and recorded "F, pS, vE, gbp, a little curved, shades off gradually like a comet's tail; no ncl seen."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min of RA west of MCG -02-36-006 = PGC 50121.  Herbert Howe's corrected position (given in the IC Notes) is accurate.

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NGC 5421 = Arp 111 = VV 120 = UGC 8941 = MCG +06-31-045 = CGCG 191-033 = Holm 568a = I Zw 78 = Mrk 665 = PGC 49950 = Flying Ant Galaxies

14 01 41.4 +33 49 35; CVn

V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

48" (5/3/19): this striking interacting pair (Arp 111) consists of a tidally disrupted spiral on the north side and a compact elliptical or lenticular on the south side, separated by 20" between centers. At 613x, the central core region or bar of the spiral appeared bright, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 N-S, ~0.3'x0.15', with a very bright nucleus. A faint spiral arm was easily seen attached at the north end and extending directly west, making an angle of perhaps 110° with the central region. This arm spread out a bit as it faded at its west tip.  The southern spiral arm, which extends east, was seen as a dim glow but lacked a distinct edge and merged into the low surface brightness halo on the east side. The southern component (VV 120c) appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 0.3' diameter, small bright nucleus.

 

MCG +06-31-046, a third component of this system, is situated 1' S and appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 20"x15", low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 0.5' NNW.

 

24" (7/6/13): at 282x, this interacting pair (Arp 111) appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE but irregular. Contains a very small, bright nucleus.  A non-stellar knot companion (VV 120c) appearing like a second bright "nucleus" was visible at the southeast end of the halo.  At 322x, VV 120c was easily resolved and appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  A mag 15 star is just off the southwest side.  MCG +06-31-046 at mag 17.1V, is just 1' S of center and was glimpsed several times for brief moments and confirmed at 322x.

 

17.5" (7/16/01): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular shape, ~1' diameter.  Very unusual appearance like a faint, partially resolved cluster as a couple of faint "stars" are involved.  A star is just off the southwest side and a fainter mag 15 star is attached at the southeast end.  At moments, a stellar nucleus further confuses the observation.  The "star" at the southeast end is VV 120c = PGC 49949, a compact interacting companion.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5421 = St. 11-22 on 20 May 1871, with follow-up observations on 1 May 1875, 26 Apr 1878 and 22 May 1878.  His published micrometric position was made on 9 Jun 1880 with description "F, rounded, irregular, 2 very faint stars involved."  One of these "stars" is mostly likely the southern component of this interacting pair.

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NGC 5422 = UGC 8935 = MCG +09-23-024 = CGCG 272-016 = Holm 567a = LGG 373-001 = PGC 49874

14 00 42.2 +55 09 51; UMa

V = 11.8;  Size 3.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 152°

 

13.1" (5/26/84): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated, brighter core.  A mag 11 star lies 2.3' E and two slightly fainter stars are about 5' S.  Located 50' NNW of M101 and 40' NW of NGC 5473.  Member of the NGC 5485 group.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, edge-on streak N-S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5422 = H. I-230 = h1736 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921).  He recorded "pretty bright, small, elongated, considerably bright nucleus with faint branches from sp to nf."  John Herschel made two observations, logging on sweep 347 "pretty bright; much elongated; very small bright middle, 50" length."

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NGC 5423 = UGC 8952 = MCG +02-36-017 = CGCG 074-059 = Holm 571a = WBL 486-013 = PGC 50028

14 02 48.6 +09 20 29; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter, sharp concentration with a very small bright core and occasional stellar nucleus surrounded by a fainter halo.  At first glance, it appeared that there were a pair of mag 14.5 stars 1.6' W and 1.8' WNW but on closer scrutiny the "star" due west was seen as a small galaxy MCG +02-36-016 = CGCG 074-058.  An even fainter companion MCG +02-36-018 = CGCG 074-062 is 1.5' ENE.  Also, NGC 5424 is 5.0' NNE and NGC 5431 is 4.7' ENE.  Located in the center of the NGC 5416 cluster.

 

CGCG 074-058: extremely faint, round, just 10" diameter.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' N.

CGCG 074-062: extremely faint and small, visible intermittently with averted vision.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5423 = T. 8-8 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  In the narrative portion of his 6th discovery paper, he mentions finding two nebula about 5 or 6' away from each other and about 40 seconds and 45 seconds of RA following and several arc minutes south of NGC 5416.  NGC 5423 and NGC 5431 match this description.  His micrometric position in his 8th discovery paper is accurate.

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NGC 5424 = UGC 8956 = MCG +02-36-019 = CGCG 074-063 = WBL 486-017 = PGC 50035

14 02 55.7 +09 25 14; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, round, 1.2' diameter, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' S.  Forms the north vertex of an equilateral triangle with similar NGC 5423 5.0' SSW (although NGC 5424 has a slightly larger halo with averted) and NGC 5431 4.5' SE.  NGC 5423 is 5.0' SSW and the double system NGC 5434 is 6.8' ENE.  Located within the NGC 5416 cluster.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5424 = T. 8-9 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  This galaxy, along with the others he discovered in the group, were first mentioned in the narrative portion of his 6th discovery paper, but he published an accurate position in his 8th paper.

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NGC 5425 = UGC 8933 = MCG +08-26-001 = CGCG 247-002 = LGG 372-001 = PGC 49889

14 00 47.9 +48 26 37; UMa

V = 13.6;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 127°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.4'.  Broad concentration but no well-defined core.  Located 3.6' S of a mag 11 star.  Member of a nearby galaxy group (LGG 372) along with NGC 5448 48' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5425 = Sw. 1-27 on 16 Jun 1884 and recorded "vvF; S; lE; bright star 4' n; 2 coarse double stars in field."  His RA is 38 sec too large, but his comment of the nearby bright star clinches this identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position and he noted the galaxy was elongated in PA 290°.

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NGC 5426 = Arp 271 NED1 = VV 21b = MCG -01-36-004 = UGCA 380 = Holm 573b = LGG 374-001 = PGC 50083

14 03 25.0 -06 04 09; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x; bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright elongated core with an irregular, ragged halo (spiral arms not distinguished).  A mag 14 star is 0.9'  NNE, just beyond the halo. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5426 2.3' S.  Low surface brightness haze (tidal bridge) connects the two galaxies.

 

14.5" (7/1/21): at 182x; fairly faint, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 N-S, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.0 star is 0.9' NNE of center in the gap between NGC 5426 and NGC 5427, which is 2.3' N.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, small faint nucleus.  Forms a close interesting pair with NGC 5427 2.3' N.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.9' NNE of center directly between the two galaxies.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5426 = H. II-309 = h1734, along with NGC 5427, on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380).  He recorded both as "Two, pB, the northern one [NGC 5427] cL and mbM.  The southern one [NGC 5426] much less, and a little fainter, and a very small star or two between them, but not connected with them.  Dist about 4' but the chevelures touch each other; nearly the same meridian [north-south]."  His single position is at the northeast edge of NGC 5427.  John Herschel made the single observation "the first of 2.  Both L; F; very gradually brighter middle; r; 3' dist' 70° np."  See NGC 5428.

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NGC 5427 = Arp 271 NED2 = VV 21a = MCG -01-36-003 = UGCA 381 = Holm 573a = LGG 374-002 = PGC 50084

14 03 26.0 -06 01 51; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 2.8'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x; excellent spiral with a very bright, roundish core and two strong spiral arms!  A long spiral arm begins on the SE side of the core and wraps counterclockwise on the south side of the core. It extends nearly straight WNW, ending due west of the core and brightens at the tip.  A very strongly curved arm is rooted at the north side of the core. It was well defined (good surface brightness) wrapping around the east side of the halo and ending on the south end of the halo. A mag 16 star is 1' S (outside this arm).  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5426 2.3' S.  Faint haze (very low surface brightness bridge) connects the two galaxies.

 

14.5" (7/1/21): at 182x; moderately bright and large, slightly elongated 4:3, 1.5' diameter, diffuse halo, small slightly brighter core.  SN 2021pfs, discovered on June 9th, appeared as a mag 14 star 0.6' W of center in the halo.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, very diffuse with an almost even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 5426 2.3' S.  Brightest in a group including NGC 5468 and 5472.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5427 = H. II-310 = h1735, along with NGC 5426, on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380).  See description under NGC 5426.

 

On 18 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell (Lord Rosse's assistant) wrote, "The north one is spiral?  3 stars in it.  To myself it appeared to have a single branch from below [np] the nucleus, running around the nf side.  Mr. [Johnstone] Stoney [who was off from his professorial duties] suspected two branches from n and f side, joined into one branch sf."

 

Harold Knox-Shaw identified the galaxy as an "open spiral" in 1915, based on a photograph taken with the 30" reflector at the Helwan Observatory.

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NGC 5428

14 03 28.0 -05 59 04; Vir

V = 15.2/16.6;  Size 9"

 

48" (4/27/22): NGC 5428 is faint double star 2.9' NNE of NGC 5427, which forms an interacting pair (Arp 271) with NGC 5426.  It consists of a mag 15 primary and a mag 16.6 secondary at 9" separation. It was viewed at 488x in breezy and soft seeing.  Initially the primary appeared fuzzy but when the seeing settled the faint secondary was just resolved.

 

18" (4/30/11): this is a mag 14.7 star on line to the north of the galaxy pair NGC 5426 and NGC 5427 (Arp 271).  Situated 2.9' NNE of the center of NGC 5427.

 

Tempel made several false sightings (also NGC 5429, NGC 5432 and NGC 5435) around the pair of galaxies.  This star has a very faint companion (mag 16.6), which I didn't notice.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5428, along with NGC 5429, 5432 and 5435 in 1882, while observing NGC 5426/5427.  In the narrative portion of this fifth discovery paper (AN 2439) he mentioned that the first two of these were near the interacting pair and one was even on a line with NGC 5426/5427.  Dreyer only gave a single rough position for NGC 5428 and 5429.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 5428 as a double star on a line to the north of the pair (Arp 271).

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NGC 5429

14 03 33.4 -06 02 18; Vir

V = 15.9/16.8;  Size 11"

 

48" (4/27/22): NGC 5429 is a very faint double star that was viewed in poor seeing and windy conditions. The mag 15.9 primary was easy at 488x. The mag 16.8 secondary at 11" separation was difficult but resolved.  Located 1.8' ESE of the center of NGC 5427, part of Arp 271 with NGC 5426.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5429, along with NGC 5428, 5432 and 5435, in 1882 while observing NGC 5426/5427.  In the narrative portion of this fifth discovery paper (AN 2439) he mentioned that the first two of these were near the interacting pair and one (NGC 5428) was even on a line with NGC 5426/5427.  Dreyer only gave a single rough position for NGC 5428 and 5429.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 5429 as a faint double star close east of NGC 5427, but as Tempel published no position or more detailed description, this assignment is uncertain.

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NGC 5430 = UGC 8937 = MCG +10-20-062 = CGCG 295-029 = Mrk 799 = Holm 569a = PGC 49881

14 00 45.8 +59 19 43; UMa

V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 0°

 

24" (7/1/16): at 375x; moderately to fairly bright, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, ~2'x0.8', contains a small bright elongated core (bar).  The surface brightness in irregular with some interesting structure.  I had an impression of a spiral arm extending north on the east side of the halo.

 

A fairly faint nonstellar knot (Holm 569B), 6"-8" diameter, is at the southeast end of the bar [21" from center].  There is a small dip in brightness between the central region and the knot.  Bill Keel considered the knot an extremely luminous HII region, but a recent paper assumes NGC 5430 is a minor merger and the "knot" is an off-center dwarf satellite with a triggered star formation.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, brighter core containing a stellar nucleus.  A mag 14-15 "star" is involved at the south-southeast end.  This "star" may confuse the apparent position angle of the galaxy as the major axis (including halo) is N-S.  A faint pair of mag 14.5 stars follows by 2.0'.

 

The stellar object at the south-southeast end is a strong HII emission knot (Ho 569b = Mrk 799a) thought to contain a large number of type-O and Wolf-Rayet stars.

 

17.5" (4/5/97): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.8', brighter core increases to an occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 "star" is close southeast and a mag 14.5 pair at 12" separation lies 2.0' ENE of center.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, round.  Located southeast of NGC 5376 and NGC 5389.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5430 = H. II-827 = h1738 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 948) and logged "eF, S, E, but nearly R."  Caroline's reduced position is 3' north of UGC 8937.  John Herschel measured an accurate position on a single observation.

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NGC 5431 = MCG +02-36-020 = CGCG 074-065 = WBL 486-019 = PGC 50046 = LEDA 2800984

14 03 07.1 +09 21 47; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, round, 0.6' diameter, low surface brightness glow with no concentration.  Located 4.5' WSW of a mag 10 star.  Forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 5424 4.5' NW and NGC 5423 4.7' WSW.  The double system NGC 5434 is 6.4' NE.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5431 = T. 8-10 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  In the narrative portion of list VI he mentions discovering two nebula about 5 or 6' away from each other.  He roughly placed them 40 seconds and 45 seconds of time (RA) following and  several arc minutes south of NGC 5416.  NGC 5423 = UGC 8952 and NGC 5431 = CGCG 074-065 match this description.  His declination in table VIII-10 is 4' too far north, although the position for NGC 5423 is accurate.

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NGC 5432

14 03 40.6 -05 58 31; Vir

V = 14.5/14.5;  Size 12"

 

48" (4/27/22): at 488x; obvious, wide pair (12" separation) of mag 14.5 stars.  Situated 5' NE of NGC 5427 (part of Arp 271).

 

18" (4/30/11): faint 13" pair of mag 14.5 stars resolved at 200x.  Located 5' NE of NGC 5427 (pair with NGC 5426 forming Arp 271).  Other nonexistent objects around Arp 271 are NGC 5428, NGC 5429, NGC 5435.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5432, along with NGC 5428, 5429 and 5435 in 1882, while observing NGC 5426/5427.  In the narrative portion of this fifth discovery paper (AN 2439) he mentioned this object was about 6' northeast of NGC 5427. Close to this separation is a wide double star with one component a close pair.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 5432 as a triple star and Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Correction paper, identifies NGC 5432 as a double star.

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NGC 5433 = UGC 8954 = MCG +06-31-050 = CGCG 191-038 = Holm 574a = PGC 50012

14 02 36.2 +32 30 36; CVn

V = 13.6;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 3°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, fairly small, very elongated 7:2 N-S, 1.1'x0.3'.  Broad concentration with no nucleus, extensions fade into background.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5433 = H. III-653 = h1737 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and recorded "vF, pS, E in the direction of the meridian [north-south], 300 showed it very plainly."  John Herschel made two observations and his mean position is accurate.

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NGC 5434 = UGC 8965 = MCG +02-36-022 = CGCG 074-068 = Holm 575a = WBL 486-021 = PGC 50077

14 03 23.1 +09 26 51; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.4

 

17.5" (6/4/94): this is a close double system with the western component (NGC 5434A) larger and brighter.  Fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', very little concentration.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 5434B at the northeast end with a separation 1.5'.  The companion appeared faint, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.3', low surface brightness, no concentration.

 

NGC 5434 is located between mag 8.8 SAO 120258 6.4' N and a mag 10 star 3.9' S.  Member of the NGC 5416 cluster (WBL 486) with NGC 5431 6.4' SW and NGC 5424 6.8' WSW.  Also the NGC 5436, NGC 5437, NGC 5438 trio is in the field to the NE.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5434 = T. 8-11 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  This galaxy was first mentioned (along with the other discoveries in the group) in the narrative portion of his 6th discovery paper, but he published an accurate position in his 8th paper.

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NGC 5435

14 04 00.1 -05 55 53; Vir

 

18" (4/30/11): very faint, close pair of stars located 45" NW of a mag 12.6 GSC star.  The two components are mag 14.6 and 14.7 at 11 seconds difference in RA.  Located 10' NE of NGC 5426/NGC 5427 (Arp 271).

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5435, along with NGC 5428, 5429 and 5432 in 1882, while observing NGC 5426/5427.  In the narrative portion of this fifth discovery paper (AN 2439) he mentioned this object was about 10' northeast of NGC 5427 and that a mag 10-11 star was near. At the required separation is a double star with a mag 12 star 45" northeast.  Both Dorothy Carlson, in her NGC Correction paper and Harold Corwin identify this double star as NGC 5435.

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NGC 5436 = UGC 8971 = MCG +02-36-025 = CGCG 074-071 = WBL 486-024 = PGC 50104

14 03 41.1 +09 34 25; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 126°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, very small, faint halo with an abrupt brighter core.  Located 5.2' ENE of mag 8.8 SAO 120258.  First of three in trio with NGC 5437 3.4' SSE and NGC 5438 2.8' NNE in the NGC 5416 galaxy cluster.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5436, along with NGC 5437 and 5438, on 28 Jun 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  In the narrative portion of his 7th discovery paper he wrote "Since then I have repeatedly seen the new nebula in group III-56 and found 3 new nebula here; these three are in a line, 2'-3' away from each other and follow north near the [mag 9] star, the northernmost is quite bright."  He did not measure positions and only a single rough position is given in the NGC for NGC 5436, 5437 and 5438.  Harold Corwin notes the WH probably saw at least one of these three (H III-57 = NGC 5446) and NGC 5438, the northernmost galaxy, is the most likely (noted by Tempel as the brightest).

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NGC 5437 = IC 4365 = MCG +02-36-028 = CGCG 074-074 = WBL 486-025 = PGC 50113

14 03 47.3 +09 31 25; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 3.3' SSW of center.  This galaxy is the south member of a trio with NGC 5436 3.4' NNW and NGC 5438 5.2' N.  The double system NGC 5434A and NGC 5434B is 7.5' SW.  Member of the NGC 5416 cluster.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5437, along with NGC 5436 and 5438, on 28 Jun 1883.  These were found while observing the NGC 5416 group. See his description under NGC 5436.  Bigourdan observed and measured the trio in May 1896, but mislabeled NGC 5436 (furthest west of the trio) as NGC 5437 and his Big. 319 (later IC 4365) refers to NGC 5437. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.  LEDA and SIMBAD only use the NGC designation for this galaxy.

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NGC 5438 = NGC 5446 = MCG +02-36-029 = CGCG 074-075 = WBL 486-026 = PGC 50112

14 03 48.0 +09 36 38; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x1.0'

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, small, round, weak even concentration to a brighter core and occasional faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 2.3' NW of center.  Northern member of a trio with NGC 5436 2.8' SSW and NGC 5437 5.2' S in the NGC 5416 cluster.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5438 on 28 Jun 1883.  It was described in the narrative portion of his 7th discovery paper as one three on a line (with NGCs 5436 and 5437) about 2'-3' apart, with the northernmost galaxy the brightest.  He didn't measure individual positions and only a single rough position was given in the NGC.

 

William Herschel probably discovered this galaxy on 19 Mar 1784.   His RA for H. III-57 (later NGC 5446) is 30 seconds of RA (time) to the east.  Modern sources identify this galaxy as NGC 5438, and not NGC 5446..

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NGC 5439 = UGC 8947 = MCG +08-26-002 = CGCG 247-003 = PGC 49965

14 01 57.8 +46 18 43; CVn

V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 9°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, fairly small, very elongated SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.25', small brighter core.  A well matched close double, discovered by Lewis Swift (SWI 1 = 10.1/10.3 at 3.7") lies 6' ENE.  Located nearly at midpoint of a mag 13 star 3' N and a mag 12 star 3' S.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5439 = Sw. 1-28 on 9 Jul 1883 and recorded "vF; pL; cE; bet 2 stars forming with 2 others a trapezoid, the nf being a fine double star of 2.5".  First neb discovered at this observatory.  I have not been able to see this object well since its discovery, at which time I called it pB with p sharp outlines, but since the appearance of red sunsets it has been ill defined and difficult to see except as a hazy spot.  This remark applies to all vF nebulae.  The double star is new [SWI 1 = ADS 9090]."

 

Bob Erdmann noted that Krakatau went off in Indonesia on Aug. 26-28, 1883 about a month after his original discovery!  Although this was the first nebula Swift discovered while systematically searching, a few were discovered earlier in April and June (NGC 3522, 3588, 6317, 6388, 6382), while still testing and adjusting the telescope. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position (MN, LXI, 1900).

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NGC 5440 = UGC 8963 = MCG +06-31-052 = CGCG 191-040 = Holm 576a = PGC 50042

14 03 01.0 +34 45 28; CVn

V = 12.3;  Size 3.1'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 50°

 

24" (7/1/16): at 375x; bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright high surface brightness nucleus.  A mag 12 star is off the southwest end, 1.3' from center.

 

UGC 8955, situated 7.8' NW, appeared very faint, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 35"x9".  A mag 14.5 star is off the northeast side, 45" from center.  MCG +06-31-053 = PGC 50057, the galaxy all modern sources identify as NGC 5441, appeared very faint or extremely faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very low even surface brightness.  It required averted vision, but once identified I could almost hold the glow continuously with concentration.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broad concentration, fairly faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is close SW, just 1.3' from center.  NGC 5441 lies 5.0' ESE.  Slightly inferior to NGC 5444 located 23' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5440 = H. II-416 = h1739 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "pB, pL, bM, irr E."  John Herschel made a single observation "F; S; R: bM; has a * 11m sp 1' distance."

 

NGC 5441 is probably a duplicate observation by JH.  See that number.

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NGC 5441 = MCG +06-31-053 = Holm 576b = PGC 50057

14 03 11.9 +34 41 04; CVn

V = 15.3;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

24" (7/1/16): at 375x; very faint or extremely faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very low even surface brightness.  It required averted vision, but once identified I could almost hold the glow continuously with concentration.  Located 5' SE of NGC 5440.

 

Although all modern sources identify NGC 5441 as this galaxy (PGC 50057), the number is more likely a duplicate of NGC 5440.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): possibly glimpsed as an extremely faint and stellar glow (uncertain sighting) 5' SE of NGC 5440.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5441 = h1740 on 11 Mar 1828 and recorded "Taken for II.416 [NGC 5440], which it cannot be if the last obs be correct. vF, S."  His RA is given to the nearest minute of time and noted +/-.

 

RNGC, PGC, MCG, NED, LEDA and SIMBAD identify MCG +06-31-053 as NGC 5441.  If this is Herschel's object it is certainly one of the faintest, if not the faintest galaxy he discovered.  Corwin argues that NGC 5441 is more likely a duplicate observation of NGC 5440, despite JH's comment, and I agree based on the view through my 24-inch.  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5442 = MCG -01-36-006 = VV 691 = PGC 50189

14 04 43.0 -09 42 43; Vir

V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 149°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'.  Contains a brighter core with very faint extensions.  It appeared the PA of the extensions shifted slightly with averted vision. Host to supernova 2001U.

 

18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.4', appears brighter along its major axis.  Situated in the middle of a isosceles triangle of mag 9.5 stars with mag 9.6 SAO 139717 7' N, mag 9.9 SAO 139714 6' SW and mag 9.6 SAO 139732 7' SE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5442 = m 272 on 11 Jan 1865 and noted "vF, vS, iR."  His position matches MCG -01-36-006 = PGC 50189.

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NGC 5443 = UGC 8958 = MCG +09-23-026 = CGCG 272-020 = Holm 578a = LGG 373-002 = PGC 49993

14 02 11.7 +55 48 49; UMa

V = 12.3;  Size 2.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 34°

 

18" (4/26/08): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, well concentrated with a bright, 20" core and fainter extensions, 1.2'x0.5'.  A faint star is off the southwest edge of the galaxy and another star is a similar distance off the northeast end.  An extremely faint star is pinned on the west edge of the southwest extension.  Member of the NGC 5485 group (LGG 373).

 

13.1" (5/26/84): moderately bright, edge-on SW-NE, broad concentration, irregular surface brightness.  Two mag 14.5 stars are at the SSW and NE ends 1.3' and 1.4' from center, respectively.  Located 90' N of M101.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5443 = H. II-799 = h1743A on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "pB, cL, E."  His RA is ~30 sec too small.  JH forgot to include his own observation in the Slough Catalogue but added it in a short Errata and Addenda list as an "omitted nebula" at the end of the catalogue.  In the GC and NGC, the comment "h o n" ([John] Herschel omitted nebulae) was given in the Other Observers column as well as the designation h1743A to place it in the correct order in the Slough catalogue.  The RA in the RNGC is 1.0 tmin too large due to a precessional error.

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NGC 5444 = UGC 8974 = MCG +06-31-054 = CGCG 191-041 = PGC 50080

14 03 24.2 +35 07 54; CVn

V = 11.8;  Size 2.4'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, NGC 5445 6.6' SSE.  At low power forms the northern vertex of a near equilateral triangle with mag 8.6 SAO 63906 15' SW and mag 9.2 SAO 63915 13' SSE.

 

8" (5/26/84): fairly faint, small, round, small bright nucleus.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two moderately bright stars to the south.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5444 = H. II-417 = h1741 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and logged "pB, pL, bM, irr E."  John Herschel made three observations and recorded on sweep 337 "pB; R; suddenly brighter middle; 15"."

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NGC 5445 = UGC 8976 = MCG +06-31-055 = CGCG 191-042 = PGC 50090

14 03 31.6 +35 01 29; CVn

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 27°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE, substellar nucleus, small extensions.  A mag 13 star is 1.1' W of center.  Located 6.6' SSE of NGC 5444.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5445 = H. III-413 = h1742 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and simply noted "vF".  His offset from NGC 5444 points directly to UGC 8976.  John Herschel made the single observation "pF; near a * 13m sp."

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NGC 5446 = NGC 5438 = MCG +02-36-029 = CGCG 074-075 = WBL 486-026 = PGC 50112

14 03 48.0 +09 36 38; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x1.0'

 

See observing notes for NGC 5438.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5446 = H. III-57 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 179) and recorded "eF, S, suspected with 157 and verified with 240."  There is nothing at his (single) position, but 30 seconds of time (RA) west is CGCG 074-075 = PGC 50112.  As Herschel's offsets in his early sweeps were often poor in time, this identification is very reasonable.  This galaxy is one of three found by Wilhelm Tempel in June of 1883 (along with NGC 5836 and 5837), and catalogued as NGC 5438.  So, NGC 5446 is likely identical to NGC 5438.

 

RNGC and PGC (and secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify CGCG 074-093 = PGC 50239 as NGC 5446.  This galaxy is 1.0 min of RA following Herschel's position and is fainter than NGC 5438, so is a less likely candidate.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5447

14 02 27.9 +54 16 34; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; NGC 5447 is the brighter (slightly higher surface brightness) of two close HII regions (with NGC 5450) situated  on the SW edge of M101, 8' from the center and just off the south side of a 14th magnitude star.  NGC 5447 appeared moderately bright, compact, ~15"x10" N-S.  There is a small gap between the two adjacent HII regions.

 

18" (6/21/03): at 215x this fairly prominent HII region appeared as an elongated patch oriented NNW-SSE, perhaps 25"x8", located just south of a mag 13.5 star.  At 323x this patch clearly resolved into two sections -- within 30" of the star is a very compact knot, ~6"-10" diameter.  There may be a small gap to the south with a larger extension to the SSE (this is NGC 5450).  Located on the opposite side of M101 as NGC 5462.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): brightest HII region on the preceding side of M101 located 7.8' SW of center.  Appears as a very elongated glow NW-SE situated just south of a mag 13.5 star.  A very small knot is partially resolved at the north edge within a common halo with the extension to the SE.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): this is a knot in an outer arm of M101 on the western side.  Easily visible, compact, round.  Located symmetrically opposite from NGC 5462 across from the core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5447 = H. III-787 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "vF, vS."  His position was 20 seconds of RA following the bright HII complex (NGC 5447/5450) on the southwest side of M101.

 

John Herschel assigned this knot two GC numbers as he was not sure if his father's object was the same as shown on Lord Rosse's woodcut and copper plate (figure 35) in the 1861 publication.  Both GC designations were combined in the NGC.

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NGC 5448 = UGC 8969 = MCG +08-26-003 = CGCG 247-004 = LGG 372-002 = PGC 50031

14 02 50.3 +49 10 21; UMa

V = 11.0;  Size 4.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 115°

 

17.5" (5/22/93): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 2.4'x0.8', very small brighter core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 4.4' S of center.  Brightest in a group (LGG 372) including NGC 5377, 5425, 5448, 5480, 5481, 5500 and 5520.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, very elongated E-W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5448 = H. II-691 = h1743 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736) and recorded "pB, pL, E nearly in the parallel, mbM."  His position is accurate. John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; L; vmE; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 4' l, 20" br; a ray with a nucleus."  The RA in the RNGC is 1.0 minute too large.

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NGC 5449

14 02 27.2 +54 19 48; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; this M101 HII region appeared faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  Probably less obvious than NGC 5451, which is 2.5' NE.  Situated 6.8 W of center and 3.5' N of NGC 5457/540.  NGC 5449 has two adjacent components, separated by 20".

 

18" (6/21/03): marginal object at 323x, but backing down to 215x a weak but definite glow was visible, perhaps 15"-20" diameter.  Located 3.5' N of NGC 5457.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): extremely low contrast HII knot in M101.  Highly suspected hazy spot 3.5' N of NGC 5457 but difficult to confirm.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5449 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel estimated the position in the GC and NGC, which is 1' too far south, based on the sketches and measures taken of nearby stars.

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NGC 5450

14 02 29.5 +54 16 14; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; larger of a close pair of HII regions with NGC 5447, located at the SW end of the halo 8' from center, and just south of a 14th magnitude star.  NGC 5450 is moderately bright, ~20"x10", and is elongated in the direction of NGC 5447.  The nearby star is 50" N.  The two HII complexes were cleanly resolved at 375x.

 

18" (6/21/03): See description for NGC 5447.  NGC 5450 appeared just resolved from NGC 5447 at 323x and was an elongated patch oriented NNW-SSE, ~20"x6".  The entire complex spans ~45".

 

17.5" (6/7/97): this is the bright HII region on the west side of M101 8' SW of center.  Connected with NGC 5447 (see description). Appears as a very elongated glow NW-SE just south of a mag 13.5 star.  A very small knot is partially resolved at the north edge (NGC 5447) within a common halo with NGC 5450.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5450 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel accurately estimated the GC position at 33" south of NGC 5447, based on the sketches and measures taken of nearby stars.  Dreyer modified the position of NGC 5447 2' further north, so the NGC position is 2.5' too far north.

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NGC 5451

14 02 37.0 +54 21 45; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; this M101 HII region appeared faint and pretty faint, small, round, 12" to 15" diameter.  Nearly collinear the mag 12.9 star 1.3' N of center of M101 and a mag 13.6 star 3.4' NW of center. Two mag 15.5-16 stars are 1' SW.

 

18" (6/28/03): very difficult, low surface brightness glow, ~10"-15" in size, requiring averted vision to glimpse.  More difficult than two mag 15.5 stars separated by 13", which are location 1' WSW.  The combined glow of these stars could easily mislead the observer into logging these as NGC 5451!

 

18" (6/21/03): initially I picked up a small, hazy glow nearly collinear with a mag 12.9 star just north of the core of M101 and a slightly fainter star due west.  But in good moments, this very small glow resolved into two stellar objects, probably appearing slightly hazy due to the background glow of the outer halo.  After a more careful view, I noticed an extremely faint knot with averted vision, ~15" diameter, located ~2' ENE of this pair -- this is NGC 5451.  It seems likely that the observation from 6/7/97 refers to the pair of faint stars that initially confused me.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): this is a difficult, low contrast HII region in M101 located ~5' WNW of center.  Appears very faint, extremely small, round, starry center?

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5451 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel estimated the position in the GC and NGC, which is only 0.5' too far east, based on the sketches and measures taken of nearby stars.

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NGC 5452 = UGC 8867 = MCG +13-10-014 = CGCG 353-028 = PGC 49426

13 54 24.6 +78 13 15; UMi

V = 13.3;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/22/93): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.5' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 1' N.  A nice double star STF 1798 = 8.1/9.9 at 7" lies 11' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5452 = H. III-947 = h1747 on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1074).  He noted "very faint, considerably large, irregular faint, a very little brighter middle.  A pretty bright star just north of it."

 

John Herschel recorded "extremely faint; pretty large; round; very gradually very little brighter middle; 35" diameter.  RA precarious, owing to a great extra meridian correction."  His RA was 3 minutes too large, but that's the one used in the GC and NGC.

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NGC 5453

14 02 56.3 +54 18 28; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; between faint and fairly faint, small, round, low surface brightness patch.  Similar or slightly more evident than NGC 5458, which is 2.4' ESE.  Located 3.4' SW of center of M101.

 

18" (6/21/03): required averted and concentration to confirm a small, low surface brightness glow, just visible over the background glow of the spiral arm this HII region resides.  In fact, between NGC 5453 and the core is an inner arm that contains a couple of HII knots that are more evident!

 

17.5" (6/7/97): this low surface brightness HII region in M101 was barely distinguishable at 220x as a very low surface brightness enhancement superimposed on the background glow of a spiral arm 3.4' SW of center.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5453 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel estimated the position in the GC and NGC, which is 1' too far south, based on the sketches and the measures taken of nearby stars.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1898 for a knot he took as NGC 5453, but it was an uncatalogued knot about half-way to the nucleus.  Harold Corwin used Hunter's sketch to positively identify NGC 5453 and provide a modern accurate position.

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NGC 5454 = UGC 8997 = MCG +03-36-042 = CGCG 103-064 = PGC 50192

14 04 45.8 +14 22 56; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.5'.  Weak concentration with an occasional stellar nucleus.  Following a nice matched pair of mag 10/11.5 stars.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5454 on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on two consecutive nights) is very accurate and he noted the two mag 10-11 stars that precede by 10 sec of time.

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NGC 5455

14 03 01.1 +54 14 27; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; fairly faint knot, small, round, 0.3' diameter, moderate surface brightness.  Forms the south vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5-14 star 2.3' NE and 2.3' NNW.

 

18" (6/21/03): compact knot, round, easily identified as forms the southern vertex of a triangle with two 13th magnitude stars to the NW and NE.  At moments, a stellar nucleus or superimposed star pops out at 323x.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint HII region in M101 located 6.6' SSW of center.  Very small, round, 15" diameter.  Appears a compact but nonstellar knot forming an isosceles triangle with two mag 13 stars 2.3' NE and 2.3' NW.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5455 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel estimated the position used in the GC and NGC, which was 3' too far south, based on the sketches and the measures taken of nearby stars.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1898, though it wasn't published until 1907.  Harold Corwin used Hunter's sketch to positively identify NGC 5455 and provide a modern accurate position.

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NGC 5456 = UGC 9004 = MCG +02-36-036 = CGCG 074-089 = PGC 50213

14 04 59.0 +11 52 16; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 175°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, small, roundish, 30" diameter, broad weak concentration.  A mag 14 star lies 1.0' NE and a mag 15 star 1.8' ENE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5456 on 7 Feb 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (measured on two sweeps) matches UGC 9004.

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NGC 5457 = M101 = M102 = Arp 26 = VV 344a = UGC 8981 = MCG +09-23-028 = CGCG 272-021 = VV 456 = PGC 50063 = Pinwheel Galaxy

14 03 12.4 +54 20 55; UMa

V = 7.9;  Size 28.8'x26.9';  Surf Br = 14.9

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; I identified all visible HII regions and stellar associations in M101, 10 of which have NGC designations (5447, 5449, 5450, 5451, 5453, 5455, 5458, 5461, 5462 and 5471).  In addition, I logged 4 additional low contrast knots from Banich's 2013 article in Sky & Telescope.

 

18" (8/27/11): viewed type Ia SN 2011fe in M101 that was discovered a few days earlier on Aug. 24th at mag 17.2.  By the next day it reached mag 13.8 and mag 12.5 on the 25th.  It was easily identified using a photographic finder chart as a mag 12.5 "star".  It appeared pretty similar in brightness to a star that is just north of the core.  This SN was observed a number of times as it rose to 11th magnitude.

 

18" (6/21/03 and 6/28/03): the following HII regions were observed --

NGC 5447: at 215x this fairly prominent HII region appeared as an elongated patch oriented NNW-SSE, perhaps 25"x8", located just south of a mag 13.5 star.  At 323x this patch clearly resolved into two sections -- within 30" of the star is a very compact knot, ~6"-10" diameter.  There may be a small gap to the south with a larger extension to the SSE (this is NGC 5450).  Located on the opposite side of M101 as NGC 5462.

 

NGC 5449: marginal object at 323x, but backing down to 215x a weak but definite glow was visible, perhaps 15"-20" diameter.  Located 3.5' N of NGC 5457.

 

NGC 5450: just resolved from NGC 5447 at 323x and was an elongated patch oriented NNW-SSE, ~20"x6".  The entire complex spans ~45".

 

NGC 5451: very difficult, low surface brightness glow, ~10"-15" in size, requiring averted vision to glimpse.  More difficult than two mag 15.5 stars separated by 13", which are location 1' WSW.  The combined glow of these stars could easily mislead the observer into logging these as NGC 5451!  In fact on 6/21/03 I initially picked up a small, hazy glow nearly collinear with a mag 12.9 star just north of the core of M101 and a slightly fainter star due west.  But in good moments, this very small glow resolved into two stellar objects, probably appearing slightly hazy due to the background glow of the outer halo.  After a more careful view, I noticed an extremely faint knot with averted vision, ~15" diameter, located ~2' ENE of this pair -- this is NGC 5451.

 

NGC 5453: required averted and concentration to confirm a small, low surface brightness glow, just visible over the background glow of the spiral arm this HII region resides.  In fact, between NGC 5453 and the core is an inner arm which contains a couple of HII knots which are more evident!

 

Anon knot: two small, low contrast knots were seen in the spiral arm that is attached on the west side of the core of M101 and wraps around the south side towards the east. These are situated just 1.7' SW of the center of M101.  Although this knotty structure does not have a NGC number it is slightly more evident than a few of the faintest NGC HII regions.

 

NGC 5455: compact knot, round, easily identified as forms the southern vertex of a triangle with two 13th magnitude stars to the NW and NE.  At moments, a stellar nucleus or superimposed star pops out at 323x.

 

NGC 5458: very faint glow 3' S of the core of M101 on a line between a 13th magnitude star ~7' S of the center of M101.  Requires averted for a definite sighting and appears to have a low, even surface brightness, ~20" diameter.  Easier to view than NGC 5453.

 

NGC 5461: at 435x (5.2mm Pentax) a fairly bright quasi-stellar knot is attached at the NE end with a relatively faint extension (even surface brightness) extending to the SW.  On 6/21 at 215x, this prominent HII region has a high surface brightness and stands out well.  Increasing the power to 435x, there is a stellar or quasi-stellar core offset at the NE end with a faint extension to the SW.  Backing down to 323x and using a UHC filter, the glow decreases in size, but the star-like core seems to increase slightly in contrast.

 

NGC 5462: this HII region is probably the largest continuous piece.  It appears very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 SW-NE, roughly 60"x18". On 6/21 appeared fairly bright and relatively large, elongated 3:1, ~50"x17" SW-NE.  This HII region has an irregular surface brightness with a bright, nearly stellar knot at the NE end.

 

NGC 5471: highest surface brightness of any of the HII regions in M101.  Appears very similar to a small, elliptical galaxy -- even contains a small, brighter core.  Situated beyond the main glow of the galaxy, 11.5' NE of the core of M101.  On 6/21 at 323x appears similar to a compact, round galaxy.  Furthest NE of all the HII regions and well separated from the main glow of M101.  Interestingly, this was one of the few HII regions that did show a positive contrast response to a UHC filter at 161x and 215x.

 

13.1" (6/4/84): four HII regions resolved including NGC 5447, NGC 5458, NGC 5461, NGC 5462.

 

13.1" (4/24/82): fairly bright, very large, round, about 20' diameter, bright core.  Fairly low surface brightness but beautifully resolved into several distinct arms and sections of arms with a pinwheel design.  Obvious mottling along the spiral arms which appear clumpy with two or more easily recognized HII regions. At least six stars are superimposed.

 

Pierre Méchain discovered M101 = NGC 5457 = h1744 on 27 Mar 1781.  William Herschel's first view with his 18.7" was on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921): "a very bright small nucleus with extensive nebulosity, pretty well determined on the preceding side, but very diffuse to the north following. Includes the two following nebulae [III-788 = NGC 5461 and III-789 = NGC 5462], and seems to extend 20', perhaps 30' or more."  Besides the two HII regions noted in his description, the previous object in the sweep was NGC 5447, a third HII complex.

 

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Blood Stoney sketched the various HII knots, spiral arms and superimposed stars and measured offsets in 1851.  Samuel Hunter's superb sketch based on several nights around 29 Apr 1861 was included at the last minute in the 1861 publication (Plate XXIX, Fig. 35).  This is probably the finest and most accurate sketch of a spiral galaxy done at Birr Castle and is very favorably compared with the POSS1.

 

M101 has had 4 supernovae, the first (SN 1909A) was discovered by Max Wolf.  It was announced as a variable star in Feb 1909 and assigned the designation SS UMa.  The others are SN 1951H, SN 1970G and Type Ia SN 2011fe, which reached mag 10.9.

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NGC 5458

14 03 12.4 +54 17 55; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 225x and 375x; faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  One of the lowest surface brightness HII knots in M101 that has a NGC designation.  Located 3' due south of center.

 

18" (6/21/03): very faint glow 3' S of the core of M101 on a line between a 13th magnitude star ~7' S of the center of M101.  Requires averted for a definite sighting and appears to have a low, even surface brightness, ~20" diameter.  Easier to view than NGC 5453.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): low contrast 25" knot superimposed on the main body of M101 3.0' due south of center.  Visibility is hindered as superimposed on the brighter background of the central region.

 

13.1": knot in M101 located just south of the core.  Appears as a barely non-stellar spot.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 5458 and other knots in M101 on 1 Mar 1851, with additional observations in April and May.  George Johnstone Stoney, Bindon's brother, may have contributed to these observations as he often visited Birr Castle on weekends in Spring 1851 while studying during the week at Trinity College.  M101 was sketched 3 times at Birr Castle, including an excellent rendition by Samuel Hunter in Apr and May 1861 (Plate XXIX, fig. 35, 1861 publication).  John Herschel estimated the position in the GC and NGC, which was 1' too far south, based on the sketches and the measures taken of nearby stars.  Dreyer modified the position slightly, so the NGC is 2.4' too far south.  Harold Corwin used Hunter's sketch to positively identify NGC 5458 and provide a modern accurate position.

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NGC 5459 = UGC 9005 = MCG +02-36-037 = CGCG 074-090 = PGC 50215

14 05 00.1 +13 07 55; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, small, irregularly round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration to the center but no distinct core.  Two mag 12 and 13 stars lie 2.0' SW and 3.1' NW, respectively.  UGC 9002 lies 25' S.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5459 = Sw. 6-64 on 23 Mar 1887 and recorded "pF; S; lE; pB * nr sp."  His position is just 5 sec of RA east of UGC 9005 and his description applies.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 26 May 1894, though Dreyer made a 20 sec recording error in RA in the IC2 Notes.

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NGC 5460 = Cr 280 = ESO 221-024

14 07 28 -48 20 36; Cen

V = 5.6;  Size 25'

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): this bright, very large cluster of ~120 stars extends to 30' diameter at 110x.  Many of the brighter stars are arranged in a very distinctive winding curve (fractured into groups) that snakes from NW to SE.  At the center is a looping chain of eight mag 7 to 10 stars including a nice double HJ 4647 = 9.3/9.6 at 11".  At the NW and south ends are hooks of stars like the tail end of Scorpius.  ESO 221-25, a faint galaxy, is hidden among the brighter stars and was not noticed.

 

13.1" (3/17/86): about three dozen stars, bright, large, includes several double stars.  Appears scattered with stars arranged in distinct groups with a tight chain in center.  Located 23' N of mag 6.4 HD 123247. This is one of the southernmost clusters visible from Northern California sites, but was still very pretty.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5460 = D 431= h3555 on 7 May 1826.  He observed the cluster on 3 nights with summary description: "a curiously curved line of small stars of nearly equal magnitudes; two bright stars of 7th magnitude following."  His handwritten notes also state, "many exceedingly small stars of mixt mags, about 12 or 15' diameter.  There are several stars of the 7th and 8th mag both preceding and following.

 

John Herschel first observed the cluster on 6 Aug 1831 (sweep 363) and recorded "a region of large, bright stars, 8, 9...etc. mag; a very coarse cluster. Place that of a brilliant group, one of which is a double star class III." Two nights later (sweep 464) he wrote, "Place of a double star in a semi-elliptic group forming part of it, but insulated in a large scattered cluster or tract of bright stars." Finally, on 20 Apr 1836, he logged "a region of large stars very loosely distributed, but which yet decidedly form a cluster. Place that of a pretty close double star (four arcseconds) in the middle of a group of 8. The cluster is 30' diameter, and is divided into distinct groups."

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NGC 5461

14 03 40.9 +54 19 02; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): NGC 5461 is one the brightest HII region in M101. At 375x it appeared bright, small, high surface brightness, 10" diameter, with a sharp very bright stellar point or nucleus.  Located 4.5' SE of center.

 

18" (6/28/03): at 435x (5.2mm Pentax) a fairly bright quasi-stellar knot is attached at the NE end with a relatively faint extension (even surface brightness) extending to the SW.

 

18" (6/21/03): at 215x, this prominent HII region has a high surface brightness and stands out well.  Increasing the power to 435x, there is a stellar or quasi-stellar core offset at the NE end with a faint extension to the SW.  Backing down to 323x and using a UHC filter, the glow decreases in size, but the star-like core seems to increase slightly in contrast.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): fairly faint knot in the trailing arm of M101 4.5' SE of center.  Appears slightly elongated, ~25"x15", fairly high surface brightness.  Contains a very small brighter center or a star is superimposed.

 

13.1": this is a knot in M101 located in the spiral arm that trails to the east.  Appears as a very diffuse, fairly small knot.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5461 = H. III-788 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "vF, vS."  He recorded this HII region immediately after logging the center of M101 in the sweep.  His RA was ~25 seconds of time too large, but matches the offset with NGC 5462 to the northeast, which was recorded next in the sweep.  John Herschel assigned two numbers in the GC, one for his father's nebula and one for the knot "n2" sketched by Lord Rosse's assistants in 1851.  Dreyer combined the two GC designations in the NGC and used Heinrich d'Arrest accurate micrometric positions, first measured in 1863.  Hermann Kobold also measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg.

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NGC 5462

14 03 52.9 +54 21 53; UMa

 

24" (5/24/20): at 375x; this M101 HII region appeared relatively large and bright.  It is noticeably elongated ~45"x15" SW-NE, "pointing" in the direction of NGC 5461.

 

18" (6/28/03): this HII region is probably the largest continuous piece.  It appears very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 SW-NE, roughly 60"x18".

 

18" (6/21/03): fairly bright and relatively large, elongated 3:1, ~50"x17" SW-NE.  This HII region has an irregular surface brightness with a bright, nearly stellar knot at the NE end.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): moderately bright elongated knot in M101, extended 3:1 SW-NE, ~50"x20".  One of the largest and brightest HII regions in M101.

 

13.1" (5/14/83) : knot in M101 located in the same arm as NGC 5461 but further to the east.  This is an easily visible, compact, round knot on the opposite side of the core as NGC 5447.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5462 = H. III-789 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "vF, pS."  His offset from NGC 5461 was 7 seconds of time east and 2' north, compared to the actual offsets of 10 seconds and 3' north.  John Herschel assigned two numbers in the GC, one for his father's nebula and one for the knot "n1" sketched by Lord Rosse's assistants in 1851.  Dreyer combined the two GC designations in the NGC and used Heinrich d'Arrest accurate micrometric position from 1862.  Hermann Kobold also measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg.

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NGC 5463 = UGC 9017 = MCG +02-36-040 = CGCG 074-102 = Holm 582a = Holm 584a = PGC 50299

14 06 10.5 +09 21 12; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 49°

 

24" (7/1/19): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.2', high surface brightness. Forms a contact pair with NGC 5463B 0.7' NE of center.  The companion was faint, round, only 8-10" diameter and could just be held continuously with averted vision.  A mag 12 star is 2.7' SW.

 

17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.3'.  Contains a bright core with faint extensions.  A mag 11 star lies 2.7' SW of center.  Forms a contact pair with an extremely difficult companion (NGC 5463B) just off the NE edge 0.7' from the center.  Located at the east end of the NGC 5416 cluster.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5463 = H. III-58 = T. 8-12 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 179) and recorded as "eF, S.  Suspected with 157 and verified with 240; the latter power showed it a little elongated."

 

Wilhelm Tempel measured a micrometric position in his 8th discovery paper.  His RA, though, was 15 seconds too small and also 3' too far north.  But re-reducing his position with respect to his offset star yields an accurate match with UGC 9017.

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NGC 5464 = ESO 446-011 = MCG -05-33-045 = PGC 50356

14 07 04.2 -30 01 00; Hya

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 85°

 

13.1" (3/17/86): very faint, fairly small, round, requires averted vision.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5464 = h3556 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5465 = Holm 585c

14 06 27.3 -05 30 23; Vir

 

= *, Corwin.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5465 in 1882, while observing NGC 5468.  In the narrative portion of list V, Tempel mentioned two more very faint nebula were southwest of NGC 5486, though he didn't provide offsets or positions.  These were probably communicated later to Dreyer.  Both Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify NGC 5465 as a single star at this position.

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NGC 5466

14 05 27.3 +28 32 04; Boo

V = 9.0;  Size 9';  Surf Br = 0.0

 

48" (4/19/17): at 375x; very large, highly resolved cluster with chains of brighter stars, particularly in the halo, which extends to at least 8', but also passing through the richer 3' to 4' central section.  The surface brightness is relatively low due its loose structure (concentration class XII), even in the core.  The brighter stars seems superimposed over a layer of much fainter resolved stars.  At 697x, there were way too many visible stars for a reasonably accurate count but perhaps around 250 stars resolved.

 

17.5" (6/3/00): large, low surface brightness globular, 7'-8' in diameter.  Has a ragged, irregular surface brightness to the core and halo.  About 50-60 mag 14-15.5 stars are resolved at 280x-380x.  The brighter core is relatively large, perhaps 4' in diameter and appears offset to the west side of the resolved stars.  Many faint stars are peppered across the core.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): 40-50 mag 14-15 stars resolved at 220x in a 7' diameter.  Very spread out like a fairly rich open cluster with no distinct edges and only a weak concentration.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): roughly three dozen stars resolved about 14th magnitude.  Visible in 18x80 finder.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): a few dozen mag 14 stars were resolved across the entire disc over extensive background haze.

 

8" (6/5/81): fairly large, low surface brightness with a "loose" structure.  A few faint stars are resolved across the disk at 100-165x.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5466 = H. VI-9 = h1746 on 17 May 1784 (sweep 219).  His description reads, "a large cluster of exceedingly small and compressed stars, about 6 or 7' in dia; a great many of the stars are visible, the rest so small as to appear nebulous; those that are visible are of one size and are scattered all over equally.  The cluster is of an irregularly round form."  He placed the globular in category VI of "very condensed and rich clusters of stars".

 

On 16 May 1831 (sweep 357), John Herschel described "a fine large cluster 7 or 8' dia; very gradually brighter in the middle, but no nucleus.  The stars 11 or 12m down to an irresolvable mass; irreg R; excessively compressed.  A fine object.  Barely discernible in the 20 feet finder (2 1/2" in aperture)."  Wolfgang Steinicke notes that Heinrich d'Arrest observed it twice in 1856 using a 4.6-inch Merz refractor in Leipzig.

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NGC 5467 = IC 973 = Holm 585d

14 06 29.4 -05 28 55; Vir

V = 15.1

 

48" (5/12/18): NGC 5467 is a mag 15 star 2.2' SW of the center of NGC 5468.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5467, along with NGC 5465, in 1882 while observing NGC 5468.  In the narrative portion of list V, he simply noted two more very faint nebula to the southwest of NGC 5486, though did not provide offsets or positions.  These were probably communicated later to Dreyer.

 

There is are no nearby galaxies and both Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify NGC 5467 as a single star.  Independently, Bigourdan also logged this star as nebulous while trying to find Tempel's nebulae, and he reported it in his 4th Comptes Rendus list as #182 (later IC 973). Assuming the same star fooled both Tempel and Bigourdan, this is the only known case where a single star has both an NGC and IC designation!  Bigourdan's IC 974 is another nearby star he thought to be nebulous.

 

THe 1935 Helwan table of descriptions, identified NGC 5467 as "2 small condensations [HII region] south of the nucleusof NGC 5468".  These are evident on images, but unlikely seen by Tempel [one was quite evident in Lowrey's 48"].

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NGC 5468 = MCG -01-36-007 = UGCA 384 = Holm 585a = LGG 374-003 = PGC 50323

14 06 34.8 -05 27 11; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 2.6'x2.4';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 105°

 

14.5" (7/1/21): at 182x; moderately bright, fairly large, roundish, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  The outer halo was ill-defined but ~2' in diameter, with a fairly low but uneven surface brightness.  Mag 8.4 HD 123265 is 4' SSE.

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; NGC 5468 is a bright, fairly large 3-armed spiral!  It appeared sharply concentrated with a very bright small nucleus and a 2'-2.5' halo containing two arms and a detached segment of an arm.  One arm is nearly attached to the nucleus at its south side.  This arm was easily visible as it rotated counterclockwise to the west and separated from the core, ending due west of center [by 0.6'].  A low contrast arm begins just north of the nucleus and extended a short distance directly east. A faint 5" HII knot is just north of this arm.  Finally a detached arm segment, oriented WSW to ENE, floated in the south side of the halo.  An easily visibile HII knot, ~8" diameter, was seen at its SW end.  Forms a pair with NGC 5472 5' E.  LEDA 1043616, a very low surface brightness galaxy, was picked up 6.4' SW.  Mag 8.3 HD 123265 lies 4.3' SSE.

 

17.5" (6/8/96): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter.  The low but irregular surface brightness halo has a hint of mottling or structure.  Broad concentration to a ill-defined core and occasional small brighter nucleus.  Mag 8.3 SAO 139737 4.2' SSE detracts from viewing.  Forms a pair with NGC 5472 5.0' E.

 

8" (6/29/84): very faint, moderately large, very diffuse, elongated ~E-W.  Located 4' NNW of a mag 8.3 star.  A mag 10 star 11.9' SSE is collinear with NGC 5468 and the mag 8 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5468 = H. III-286 = h1745 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380).  His description reads, "vF, L, brightest towards the north, and eF towards the southern borders." John Herschel made the single observation "vF; vL; R; gradually brighter in the middle."

 

R.J. Mitchell, the assistant to Lord Rosse on 29 Mar 1856, recorded "1745 [NGC 5468] has a nucleus, light very patchy, 3 stars in edge; vF.  Query, spiral with a right-handed twist.  About 4' following is a S, pB, E knot."  The object following is NGC 5472.

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NGC 5469 = CGCG 074-136 = Holm 600b = PGC 50740

14 12 29.8 +08 38 52; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  PA = 135°

 

18" (6/30/11): faint, very small, irregularly round, 18" diameter, weak concentration.  A small right triangle of mag 13-14 stars [sides 1.1', 1.4', 2'] is close SW.  Brighter of a pair with UGC 9084 4.3' WNW.

 

The identification NGC 5469 = CGCG 74-136 is uncertain but if UGC 9084 was assumed by Tempel to be NGC 5482, then his NGC 5469 refers to CGCG 74-136.  CGCG 74-141 and -142 lie ~9' ESE.  See notes for NGC 5511, which may be CGCG 74-141.

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Just following a small triangle of mag 13-14 stars.  Forms a pair with UGC 9084 4.3' WNW.  NGC 5511 lies 10' ESE (all three faint galaxies collinear).

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5469 in 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group.  In the narrative portion of his 8th discovery paper, he writes (translated by Wolfgang Steinicke) "III 59 [NGC 5482] is 9 seconds preceding, 2 1/2' south of a faint star 11m; the nebula is small and has in its center a faint star with very little nebular matter. Following the star 11m, there is at 15s, parallel to it [the star or NGC 5482?] a nice round nebula, III, without a faint star [in the center]. This nebula is also new."  There is no object matching this description or at the NGC position.

 

Instead, Harold Corwin suggests that Tempel probably confused UGC 9084 for NGC 5482.  This would imply, based on Tempel's description, that CGCG 074-136 = NGC 5469.  See Corwin's notes. The RNGC has misidentified CGCG 074-062 as NGC 5469. This galaxy is a close companion of NGC 5423 and is roughly 90' from the NGC position.

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NGC 5470 = UGC 9020 = MCG +01-36-019 = CGCG 046-050 = PGC 50317

14 06 32.0 +06 01 45; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 2.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 63°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, moderately large, edge-on 6:1 WSW-ENE, low surface brightness, weak concentration but no nucleus, 2.0'x0.3'.  An easy double star mag 10/11 at 21" separation located 4.5' S.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5470 = h1749 on 17 Apr 1830 and logged "F; mE; very gradually little brighter middle."  There is nothing at his position by 1.0 min of RA west is UGC 9020, which fits his description.  d'Arrest made two observations on the 25th and 26th of Apr 1865.  He noted the 1 min time error in the GC and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5471 = MCG +09-23-030

14 04 29.1 +54 23 49; UMa

Size 0.9'x0.7'

 

24" (5/24/20): NGC 5471 is one of the most prominent HII regions in M101, situated 11.5' ENE of center and beyond the visible edge of the galaxy.  At 375x it appeared very bright, fairly small, round, ~20" diameter, high surface brightness.  HII region M101-A is 3' NW.

 

18" (6/28/03): highest surface brightness of any of the HII regions in M101.  Appears very similar to a small, elliptical galaxy -- even contains a small, brighter core.  Situated beyond the main glow of the galaxy, 11.5' NE of the core of M101.

 

18" (6/21/03): at 323x appears similar to a compact, round galaxy.  Furthest NE of all the HII regions and well separated from the main glow of M101.  Interestingly, this was one of the few HII regions that displayed a positive contrast response to a UHC filter at 161x and 215x.

 

17.5" (6/7/97): this is one of brightest HII regions in M101, on the extreme NE end of the galaxy 11.5' from center.  Appears as a moderately bright knot, ~20" diameter.  This HII region stands out well due to its isolation and fairly high surface brightness with crisp halo.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5471 on 22 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured it on 5 different nights.  He noted the mag 13 star that precedes by 9 sec of RA and questioned if this object was H III-789 with a 30 sec error in RA.  MCG misclassifies this HII region as a galaxy (MCG +09-23-030).

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NGC 5472 = MCG -01-36-008 = Holm 585b = LGG 374-005 = PGC 50345

14 06 54.9 -05 27 39; Vir

V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, strong concentration with a very bright elongated core, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3'.  Situated between a mag 13.5 star 0.4' E and a mag 14.3 star 0.9' NW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5468, a face-on multi-arm spiral 5' W.  Mag 8.3 HD 123265 is a similar distance southwest.

 

17.5" (6/8/96): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.3', small brighter core with faint extensions.  A mag 13 star is 0.4' ESE and a mag 14 star 0.9' NW.  Located 5.0' E of brighter NGC 5468.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5472 on 29 Mar 1856 with LdR's 72" during an observation of NGC 5468.  He noted "about 4' f is a S, pB, E knot."  Wilhelm Tempel observed NGC 5468 in 1882 and also noted NGC 5472 as 5' following.  He mentioned it was probably the one seen earlier by LdR.  In addition Tempel mentioned two other nearby objects (NGC 5465 and 5467) to the southwest, which are either nonexistent or single stars.  See Corwin's notes.

 

Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 10 Mar 1886 and noted it was "within a triangle of minute stars - very very faint.  Hardly visible, irregular uncertain outline - very small."

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NGC 5473 = UGC 9011 = MCG +09-23-031 = CGCG 272-022 = LGG 373-004 = PGC 50191

14 04 43.3 +54 53 33; UMa

V = 11.4;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 160°

 

18" (5/3/08): at 280x appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Strongly concentrated with a very bright 25" core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A faint star is embedded in the halo on the NE side.  Located within a string of brighter mag 9.5-11.5 stars including a mag 10.7 star 2' SSW, a mag 9.4 star 5' SSW and a mag 10 star 7' NE.  Located 35' NNE of M101 in a background group (LGG 373) including NGC 5485 22' ENE, NGC 5486 26' NE and NGC 5422 38' NW.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): moderately bright, small, almost round, prominent small bright nucleus, fainter halo.  NGC 5485 lies 22' ENE.  Located 35' NNE of M101.

 

13.1" (6/29/84): brighter but very slightly smaller than nearby NGC 5485, prominent nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5473 = H. I-231 = h1748 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and logged "cB, S."  John Herschel made a single observation and recorded "pF; R; S; gradually brighter in the middle; sky not quite clear."

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NGC 5474 = UGC 9013 = VV 344b = MCG +09-23-032 = CGCG 272-023 = LGG 371-002 = PGC 50216

14 05 01.2 +53 39 44; UMa

V = 10.8;  Size 4.8'x4.3';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

48" (5/2/19): at 375x and 545x; very bright, large, highly asymmetrical galaxy.  A bright core that is broadly concentrated is offset to the north end of the galaxy.  A roundish 2' diameter halo extends to the south.  A few faint, nearly stellar spots are on the east side of the halo.  The halo was uneven in surface brightness and I had a definite impression of spiral arm structure, but was unable to trace any specific arms.  This strongly "sloshed" galaxy is gravitationally distorted by interaction with M101.

 

18" (4/26/08): at 220x this is a fairly bright, large, asymmetric galaxy ~3.0'x2.5', moderately concentrated with an 0.8' core that is embedded at the north end!  The halo is a slightly elongated N-S oval glow with the core internally tangent on the N side.

 

18" (6/17/06): fairly bright, large, with an irregular asymmetric appearance.  Broadly concentrated to a 1' brighter core that resides on the north edge of the galaxy.  The 2.5' halo is slightly elongated N-S and spreads out from the core only towards the south!  The halo has a slightly mottled texture and fades at the periphery.  With averted vision the size increases to nearly 3'.  A mag 13.5-14 star is just north of the offset core.  A mag 13 pair at 14" lies 9' ESE.  This disturbed galaxy is a member of the M101 group.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly bright, large, irregular round or slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  Very unusual appearance as a large brighter knot of 0.8' diameter or a very eccentrically placed core is located at the NE edge.  The halo extends generally SW from this brighter spot.  About 3' diameter, no brightening at the geometric center.  A mag 14 star is just off the NE edge 0.8' beyond knot.  Located 45' SSE of M101 and the asymmetry is from being tidally deformed by M101.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5474 = H. I-214 on 1 May 1788 (sweep 840).  He recorded "considerably bright, terminating abruptly to the north, and diffused to the south."  Indeed, this galaxy is very asymmetric, with the nucleus at the north edge of the galaxy!  The description and a sketch (fig. 2) was published in his 1811 PT paper under the heading "Of Nebulosities joined to Nebulae."

 

Samuel Hunter, observing with LdR's 72" on 14 May 1861, logged "vL and probably of interest.  The nucleus is on the n edge and appears to have a dark lane around it; the faint nebulosity spreads out from it like a fan with the edges rather brighter than the centre."

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NGC 5475 = UGC 9016 = MCG +09-23-033 = CGCG 272-024 = LGG 373-003 = PGC 50231

14 05 12.4 +55 44 30; UMa

V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 166°

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly faint, small, edge-on streak NNW-SSE.  Located 25' ESE of NGC 5443 in the NGC 5485 group (LGG 373).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5475 = H. II-800 = h1750 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "pB, S."  John Herschel recorded (single observation) "pB; S; pmE; bM; 18" l, 12" br."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5476 = MCG -01-36-009 = PGC 50429

14 08 08.5 -06 05 31; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, moderately large oval 4:3 NW-SE, 1.3'x1.0', broadly concentrated with no core.  A mag 11.5 star is off the west side, 1.9' from center.

 

18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8'.  The surface brightness appears slightly irregular with possibly a brighter spot or knot offset to the west side (it didn't appear to be the core).  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' W of center.

 

14.5" (7/1/21): at 182x; fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, ~0.9'x0.7', fairly low surface brightness, weak concentration with an ill-defined core.  The halo fades out with an indefinite edge.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5476 = H. III-287 = h1751 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and logged "vF, pS, irr."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; pL; R."  He didn't measure the RA and the polar distance was only roughly taken.  Nevertheless, his NPD is accurate.

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NGC 5477 = UGC 9018 = MCG +09-23-034 = CGCG 272-025 = VV 561 = PGC 50262

14 05 32.3 +54 27 33; UMa

V = 14.0;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (3/23/85): extremely faint.  Nearby is a mag 14.5 star 1.2' SW of center and a mag 15 star is superimposed south of the core.  A brighter mag 12 star is 3.5' E of center.  Member of the M101 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5477 = H. III-790 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "vF, pL."  His position was 2' too far east but the brief description fits.  This is a surprisingly low surface brightness galaxy to be picked up during a sweep.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 17 Jun 1887.  This galaxy was found on Crossley plates taken by Keeler at Lick Observatory in 1898-1900 and catalogued as a new nebula (#681 of 744) in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.

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NGC 5478 = UGC 9034 = MCG +00-36-019 = CGCG 018-055 = PGC 50430

14 08 08.5 -01 42 08; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 37°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter.  Weak, even concentration to the center but there was no well-defined core.  A mag 11 star lies 2' WSW.

 

18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Weak, even concentration to a small, brighter core giving a symmetrical appearance.  A mag 11 star lies 2.4' WSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5478 = H. III-762 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 917) and noted "vF, vS."  His position is barely off the north side of the galaxy.

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NGC 5479 = MCG +11-17-019 = CGCG 317-016 = PGC 50282

14 05 57.3 +65 41 26; UMi

V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. On a small line with several stars including a mag 11 star 2' NW and a mag 13.8 GSC star 1.3' NW. Forms a close pair with MCG +11-17-18 1.1' NNW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5479 = Sw. 4-14 on 11 Jun 1884 and recorded "eF; vS; R; nearly between 2 stars."  His RA is 1.0 min too small, but his comment "nearly bet 2 st" confirms this identification.

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NGC 5480 = UGC 9026 = MCG +09-23-035 = CGCG 272-027 = Holm 588a = LGG 372-004 = PGC 50312

14 06 21.8 +50 43 29; UMa

V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 0°

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration with a brighter 25" core and a faint stellar nucleus using direct vision.  Forms a very nice pair with NGC 5480 3.2' E.

 

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, diffuse, almost even or even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 5481 3.2' E over the Bootes border.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5480 = H. II-692, along with NGC 5481, on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736). He described both as "Two, both faint, round.  The preceding [NGC 5480] pretty small, very gradually brighter middle.  The following very small, stellar, suddenly much brighter middle.  The place taken between them; in the parallel nearly, about 2 1/2' distance; the following about 1/2' more south."   At a declination of +51.7° the telescope was literally pointing at the zenith (latitude of Slough = 51.5°) as the pair crossed the meridian.

 

 Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 12 Jun 1887 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  The UGC declination is 20' too far south.

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NGC 5481 = UGC 9029 = MCG +09-23-036 = CGCG 272-028 = Holm 588b = LGG 372-005 = PGC 50331

14 06 41.4 +50 43 23; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 115°

 

18" (4/26/08): moderately bright but small, round, ~30" diameter.  Fairly high surface brightness with a relatively large, bright 20" core and easily visible stellar nucleus.  Forms the eastern member of a pair with NGC 5480 3.2' E.

 

13.1" (3/24/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Smaller but similar surface brightness to NGC 5480 3.2' W in the constellation of Ursa Major!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5481 = H. II-693, along with NGC 5480, on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736).  He described both as "Two, both faint, round.  The preceding [NGC 5480] pretty small, very gradually brighter middle.  The following very small, stellar, suddenly much brighter middle.  The place taken between them; in the parallel nearly, about 2 1/2' distance; the following about 1/2' more south."  Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 12 Jun 1887 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 5482 = UGC 9038 = MCG +02-36-043 = CGCG 074-115 = PGC 50459

14 08 30.7 +08 55 55; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6', moderate concentration with a small brighter core ~15" diameter.  A couple of mag 14.5 stars [28" separation] lie 2.5' SSE.  Follows a mag 12 star by 3.8'.  Located ~1.5° ESE of the large NGC 5416 cluster.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5482 = H. III-59 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 179) and noted "eF, S, suspected with 157 and verified with 240."  His position is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 9038 and matches in declination.

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NGC 5483 = ESO 271-019 = MCG -07-29-008 = PGC 50600

14 10 25.0 -43 19 29; Cen

V = 11.2;  Size 3.7'x3.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 25°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 200x this face-on spiral appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~2.6'x1.8', broad concentration.  Nestled among a group of faint stars with a mag 14-15 star just off the NE side and another at the SW edge of the halo.  A mag 9.5 star with a close, mag 11.8 companion at 3" separation lies 4' E.

 

12.5" (6/24/06 - Haleakala Crater): at 176x appeared faint, fairly large, slightly elongated ~2.5'x2.2', broad weak concentration but no well defined core.  Increases in size with averted vision so the outer halo gradually fades.  Situated in a rich star field with a mag 9.5 star 4' E.  Located 19' NE of mag 6.2 HD 123445.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5483 = h3557 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "pF; vL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 4'."

 

NGC 5483 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station with a 24-inch refractor between 1898 and 1901 and noted as a "! S spiral"

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NGC 5484 = CGCG 272-029 = PGC 50338

14 06 48.2 +55 01 47; UMa

V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

 

18" (4/26/08): very faint, small, irregularly round, 25"x20", fairly low even surface brightness.  Located 3.8' WNW of NGC 5485 in a group.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): very faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Located 3.8' NW of much brighter NGC 5485 in a trio with NGC 5486.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5484 = H. III-791 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and recorded "Two; [referring to NGC 5485] cB, R, very gradually much brighter middle.  Has another preceding [NGC 5484]; vF, R, nearly in the meridian 3 or 4' dist preceding."  CH added the comment in her fair copy that "By the description it should be perhaps be nearly in the parallel."  Although only a single position was given (matching NGC 5485], this galaxy is 3.7' west-northwest and matches the description.

 

Bigourdan's "corrected" position for NGC 5484 on 13 May 1899 refers to NGC 5485. Bigourdan and d'Arrest were both unsuccessful in finding NGC 5484 so Dreyer mistakenly noted in his 1912 correction list that "III 791 should probably be struck out.  There is not any nebula close p [of NGC 5485]."

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NGC 5485 = UGC 9033 = MCG +09-23-037 = CGCG 272-030 = LGG 373-005 = PGC 50369

14 07 11.4 +55 00 06; UMa

V = 11.4;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

 

18" (4/26/08): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, sharply concentrated with a very bright 25" core and a much fainter 1.4' halo.  With direct vision a stellar nucleus was easily visible.  Brightest in a group (LGG 373) with NGC 5484 3.8' WNW and NGC 5486 6.4' NNE.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly bright, bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  Nearby galaxies are NGC 5484 3.8' WNW and NGC 5486 6.4' NNE.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, increases to a bright core.

 

13.1" (6/29/84): fainter halo increases in size with averted.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5485 = H. I-232 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and recorded "Two, cB, R, very gradually much brighter middle.  Has another preceding [NGC 5484 = III-791]; vF, R, nearly in the meridian 3 or 4' dist preceding."  CH added the comment in her fair copy that "By the description it should be perhaps be nearly in the parallel."  His single position corresponds with UGC 9033.

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NGC 5486 = UGC 9036 = MCG +09-23-038 = CGCG 272-031 = LGG 373-007 = PGC 50383

14 07 25.0 +55 06 10; UMa

V = 13.3;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 80°

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 1.2'x1.0', weak concentration, fairly low surface brightness.  Located 6.5' NNE of NGC 5485 in a trio and member of the NGC 5485 group.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, very small brighter core.  Last of three with NGC 5485 6.4' SSW and NGC 5484 7.1' SW.

 

13.1" (6/29/84): very faint, averted only, very elongated ~E-W, no details.  Located 6.5' NNE of NGC 5485.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5486 = H. II-801 on 14 Apr 1789 (last object in the long sweep 921) and noted "F, S."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2' northeast of UGC 9036.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position

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NGC 5487 = MCG +01-36-021 = CGCG 046-061 = Holm 594a = PGC 50537

14 09 43.9 +08 04 09; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 68°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  Located 3' SSW of a mag 8.9 star that hinders viewing.  A group of five mag 12-13 stars just north of the bright star forms a small asterism.

 

George Searle discovered NGC 5487 = HN 36 on 22 Mar 1868 with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #324).  He mentioned that clouds hampered measurement of the position so Dreyer noted the position as very uncertain in the NGC.  Nevertheless, the position is very close to CGCG 046-061 = PGC 50537.

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NGC 5488 = IC 4375 = ESO 384-058 = MCG -05-33-048 = LGG 369-010 = PGC 50423

14 08 03.0 -33 18 53; Cen

V = 11.9;  Size 3.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 22°

 

18" (5/16/09): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 1.8'x0.5', bright core with much fainter extensions.  Located close north of mag 9 star HD 123387 (1.2' between centers) that detracts from viewing.  The major axis of the galaxy is nearly collinear with the star.  Outlying member of ACO S753.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5488 = h3558 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "F; R; near and to the north of a * 8m."  His RA is given only to the nearest minute and marked as rough (dec to the nearest min +/-). This rough position is 3 min of RA east and 20' south of ESO 384-058 although his comment of "to the north of a *8m" applies to this galaxy.  DeLisle Stewart found the galaxy again on an Arequipa plate (#393) in 1900, measured an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued it as IC 4375.  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5489 = ESO 271-021 = PGC 50701

14 12 00.7 -46 05 19; Cen

V = 12.2;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 129°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5', fairly sharply concentrated with a very small brighter core.  A nice string of three mag 12-13 stars at 18" and 23" separation lies 9' SW.  Located 18' WSW of mag 7.5 HD 69489.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5489 = h3559 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 10"."  His position (also measured the next night) is accurate.

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NGC 5490 = UGC 9058 = MCG +03-36-065 = CGCG 103-095 = Holm 595a = 4C+17.57 = WBL 493-003 = LGG 376-001 = PGC 50558

14 09 57.3 +17 32 44; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 5°

 

18" (5/3/08): bright, irregularly round, moderately large, ~1.0'x0.8' N-S, sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core and stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group including NGC 5490B = MCG +03-36-067 1.6' ENE, IC 982 9' N and NGC 5490C 4.8' NNE.  NGC5490B appeared extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter, required averted vision to glimpse.  NGC 5490C = Arp 79 appeared very faint, fairly small, 25" diameter, irregularly round, low even surface brightness.

 

17.5" (6/23/01): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with MCG +03-36-064 2.9' NNW and NGC 5490C = Arp 79 located 4.7' NE.  A close companion, MCG +03-36-067, off the east side was not seen.  The group is located two degrees SW of Arcturus!

 

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, small bright core.  Brightest in a small group with several faint nearby companions (not seen), IC 983 11' N and IC 982 9' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5490 = H. III-32 = h1752 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  He recorded "a vS nebula, or nebulous double star.  240 confirmed it."  John Herschel made a similar observation on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334): "pB, vS, has a vF double star in centre among several stars 12m; a doubtful object."  His position is good, though the Slough Catalogue has the typo h1752 = H. II-32, instead of H. III-32.

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NGC 5491 = UGC 9072 = MCG +01-36-022 = CGCG 046-063 = Holm 597a = PGC 50630

14 10 57.4 +06 21 53; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 78°

 

24" (6/15/15): moderately bright, fairly small elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 40"x30", contains a small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5491B at the north edge of the halo, just 25" from the center.  At 375x (6mm ZAO) this compact companion appeared very faint, nearly stellar, visible ~1/3 of the time.  A mag 14.8 star is 0.9' NE and a second mag 15 star (misclassified by Holmberg as 597c) is 1.0' SW.  Double star BRT 2158 = 12.5/12.7 at 4.5" lies 2.7' NE.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, elongated bright core.  Bracketed between two mag 15 stars 30" off the ENE edge and 1' WSW.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5491B at the north edge of halo (not seen).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5491 = H. II-890 = h1753 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and recorded "pB, pS, iR."  Caroline's reduced position is 2.5' southwest of UGC 9072.  John Herschel made 4 observations and recorded (sweep 154), "pF; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"."  d'Arrest made an additional 3 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5492 = UGC 9065 = MCG +03-36-074 = CGCG 103-106 = PGC 50613

14 10 35.3 +19 36 44; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 2.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): this nice edge-on is elongated 5:1 NNW-SSE, 1.6'x0.3'.  Moderate surface brightness with no significant central brightening.  Located 14' SE of mag 7.1 SAO 100885.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5492 = H. II-876 = h1754 on 20 Apr 1792 (sweep 1021). He recorded it as "pretty bright, very small."  Stephan found this galaxy on 20 May 1871 and described it as elongated N-S though his RA was 5 minutes too small.  He measured an accurate micrometric position on 11 Apr 1882 matching NGC 5492 and reported it as new in his 12th discovery list.  But he added a note that #58 was probably identical to GC 3800 [=NGC 5492].

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NGC 5493 = MCG -01-36-013 = UGCA 386 = LGG 374-004 = PGC 50670

14 11 29.3 -05 02 37; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 124°

 

18" (5/28/06): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  Sharply concentrated with a small bright nucleus surrounded by a low surface brightness halo ~1.1x0.8'.

 

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly bright, moderately large. Sharply concentrated with a very bright core 40"x15" elongated WNW-ESE, increasing to a stellar nucleus.  Surrounding the core is a much fainter ill-defined halo ~1.3'x1.0' which is not as elongated as the core.

 

8" (6/30/84): fairly bright, very small, slightly elongated, bright stellar nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5493 = H. IV-46 = h1755 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 706) and recorded "pB or almost cB, vS.  Stellar, like a star with burs."  Joihn Herschel described this galaxy as "pB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 15"; seems to have a * 18m involved np."  Joseph Turner observed it with the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 15 May 1877 (p. 136 of his logbook) and noted it was elongated (sketched at least 2:1 NNW-SSE) and pretty suddenly much brighter in the middle to almost a stellar point.  Pietro Baracchi also obsersed it at Melbourne and called it "vB; vS; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; mottled; a little elongated." (10 Mar 1886)

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NGC 5494 = ESO 446-025 = MCG -05-34-001 = LGG 375-002 = PGC 50732

14 12 23.9 -30 38 39; Cen

V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, round, weak concentration.  Several mag 14 stars nearby bracket the galaxy to the east and west.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5494 = h3560 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; r.  Stars barely seen in the nebula, besides several others about it."  His position is accurate.

 

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 22 Feb 1898 and recorded Sw. 11-167 as "F; pS; R; 7 faint stars around it."  His position was 7' too far north and Herbert Howe, unable to recover Swift's object at his position, suggested it was identical to NGC 5494.  As a result, Dreyer didn't assign an IC designation.

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NGC 5495 = ESO 511-010 = MCG -04-34-001 = PGC 50729

14 12 23.3 -27 06 30; Hya

V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 38°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.4'.  Contains a very small, bright core with faint extensions.  A mag 11 is just off the NE end and it interferes with viewing the galaxy.  Located 11' NW of mag 5.1 50 Hydrae.

 

18" (6/18/04): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~N-S.  The view is severely hampered by a mag 10.5 star that is very close to the NE edge of the galaxy (42" from center)!  Overall the galaxy has a fairly even surface brightness except for a very faint, nearly stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 10.5' NW of mag 5.1 50 Hydrae which is just outside the 19' field of the 10mm Pentax XW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5495 = h3561 on 13 May 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; bM; np a star."  The galaxy is sp the star, not northwest as Herschel reported (error noted by Herbert Howe in the IC 2 notes).  Joseph Winlock independently found the galaxy again on 20 Jun 1868 at Harvard College Observatory with the 11-inch refractor.

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NGC 5496 = UGC 9079 = MCG +00-36-026 = CGCG 018-074 = FGC 1721 = LGG 377-005 = PGC 50676

14 11 37.9 -01 09 33; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 4.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 172°

 

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, fairly large, edge-on 6:1 ~N-S, 2.5'x0.4', low irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14.5-15 star is on the east side of the north extension.

 

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, large, very thin edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x0.6'.  Low surface brightness with only a weak concentration towards the center.  A mag 15 star is embedded on the following side of the NNW extension [50" from center].

 

8" (6/30/84): extremely faint edge-on N-S, moderately large.  Requires averted vision as the surface brightness is quite low.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5496 on 23 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory and noted "E 180°, bM, 6'-8' long."  His position (measured more accurately on 8 May 1882) matches UGC 9079.  It's unusual that the Herschels missed this relatively bright galaxy.

 

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan observatory between 1919-20, it was described as "pB, 4.5' x 0.5', E 170°; rather irregular patch spiral seen almost edgewise, no nucleus"

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NGC 5497 = UGC 9069 = MCG +07-29-048 = CGCG 219-054 = PGC 50610

14 10 31.6 +38 53 36; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.45', low even surface brightness.  Situated nearly midway between two mag 12 stars 5' WSW and 4.3' E.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5497 = St. 12-59 on 30 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 4' too far ENE. His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 11 May 1882.

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NGC 5498 = UGC 9075 = MCG +04-33-043 = CGCG 132-080 = CGCG 133-003 = PGC 50639

14 11 04.5 +25 41 53; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (6/8/96): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8' diameter.  Fairly symmetrical concentration to a brighter core and occasional faint stellar nucleus.  HCG 71 (IC 4381 and IC 4382) lies 11' S.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5498 = St. 12-60 on 26 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 4' too far SE. His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 9 May 1882 with description "faint, small, round, little brighter middle, seems resolvable."

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NGC 5499 = UGC 9074 = MCG +06-31-076 = CGCG 191-060 = PGC 50623

14 10 47.7 +35 54 48; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE?, weak broad concentration, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  A wide pair of mag 11/13 stars lies 3' SSE. NGC 5517 is 28' SE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5499 = St. 12-61 on 4 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 3' ESE of center.  His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 13 May 1882 with description "faint, small, round, gradually brighter middle, seems resolvable."

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NGC 5500 = UGC 9070 = MCG +08-26-008 = CGCG 247-007 = Mrk 806 = LGG 372-008 = PGC 50588

14 10 15.2 +48 32 46; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  Two bright stars (mag 8.6 SAO 63883 and a mag 9.5 star) oriented E-W lie 5.8' WSW and 8.3' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5500 = H. III-674 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and logged "considerably faint, considerably small, irregularly round."  He observed it again 3 nights later (sweep 736) and reported "very faint, very small, stellar, 300 confirmed it." There were no additional observations by JH, d'Arrest or LdR.

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NGC 5501 = MCG +00-36-027 = CGCG 018-078 = PGC 50724

14 12 20.2 +01 16 21; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', low surface brightness.  Located 13.5' SE of mag 6.4 SAO 120334.  A pair of mag 10 stars (24" separation) is located 10' due east.  IC 985 lies 13' W.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5501 = h1756 on 13 Apr 1828 and recorded "a vF nebula or a vS cluster of eS stars."  His position is 1' south of CGCG 018-078 = PGC 50724.

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NGC 5502 = NGC 5503 = MCG +10-20-077 = PGC 50508

14 09 33.9 +60 24 34; UMa

 

See observing notes for NGC 5503.

 

Edward Swift discovered NGC 5502 = Sw. 1-29 on 9 May 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; ee diff; between 2 stars, one a wide double."  Lewis Swift's son was only 15 years old at the time. There is only a single galaxy here (MCG +10-20-077) but Lewis found it again two nights later, thought it was new and it was listed a second time as Sw. 1-30 (later NGC 5503), with the description "eeeF; vS; R; ee dif; forms with 2 stars a right angle triangle."

 

In the introduction to his second discovery list, Swift mentions Sw. 1-29 should probably be struck out without giving an explanation. Nevertheless, Dreyer catalogued both entries as NGC 5502 and 5503.  Since NGC 5502 was discovered first, this designation should take historical precedence. Swift made several other duplicate observations of galaxies, though this is an unusual case involving a father and son!  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5503 = NGC 5502 = MCG +10-20-077 = PGC 50508

14 09 33.9 +60 24 34; UMa

V = 15.2;  Size 0.5'x0.25';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Requires averted vision to glimpse and only visible intermittently.  Located just 1.3' NE of a mag 12 star and 2' NW of a mag 11 star.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5503 = Sw. 1-30 on 11 May 1886 and recorded "eeeF; vS; R; ee dif; forms with 2 stars a right angle triangle."  This was a reobservation of NGC 5502 = Sw. 1-29 which was found two days earlier by his son Edward!  This is a unique case where a father and son both have entries in the NGC for the same galaxy.  RNGC identifies this galaxy as NGC 5503 though by historical precedence, NGC 5502 should apply.  See notes for NGC 5502.

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NGC 5504 = UGC 9085 = MCG +03-36-081 = CGCG 103-114 = Holm 601a = PGC 50718

14 12 15.8 +15 50 31; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

 

18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.8'x0.65'.  Fairly low surface brightness but it appears to be uneven (face-on barred spiral).  Forms a close pair with IC 4383 1.8' NNW.  The IC galaxy appeared faint, small, round, 15" diameter.

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, fairly low surface brightness.  Located 11' WSW of mag 8.3 SAO 100916.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5504 = St. 11-23 on 23 May 1871 and measured an initial position 1' to the SW.  His published micrometric position was made 9 years later on 7 Jun 1880.  UGC and CGCG mislabel NGC 5504 as IC 4383.

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NGC 5505 = UGC 9092 = MCG +02-36-048 = CGCG 074-138 = PGC 50745

14 12 31.7 +13 18 17; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6'.  The surface brightness is irregular and the brighter core seems offset to one side from the center (this is a Seyfert galaxy with an unusual appearance on the DSS).  Situated between a mag 10.5 star 2.6' SSW and a 17" pair of mag 12 stars 3' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5505 = Sw. 3-79 on 6 Jun 1886 and recorded "vF; pS; between a single and a double star."  His position is just 1.4' south of UGC 9092 and his description applies.

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NGC 5506 = MCG +00-36-028 = CGCG 018-081 = Holm 604a = UGCA 387 = Mrk 1376 = LGG 377-002 = PGC 50782

14 13 14.8 -03 12 27; Vir

V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 92°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 E-W, 3.0'x0.6', broad concentration.  Located 11' NE of mag 7.9 SAO 139790.  Forms a pair with NGC 5507 3.7' NNE.  This is a Seyfert and Markarian galaxy.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5506 = H. II-687 = h1757 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 730) and recorded "pB, cL, mE nearly in the parallel."  Joihn Herschel measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5507 = MCG +00-36-029 = CGCG 018-082 = Holm 604b = UGCA 388 = LGG 377-003 = PGC 50786

14 13 19.8 -03 08 56; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 58°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core dominates, faint extensions.  Forms a pair with NGC 5506 3.7' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5507 = H. IV-49 = h1758 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 730) and recorded "pB, stellar nebula, like a star with a small bur all around." John Herschel measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5508 = UGC 9094 = MCG +04-34-002 = CGCG 133-009 = PGC 50741

14 12 29.1 +24 38 08; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 2.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 135°

 

24" (5/25/14): at 282x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 45"x30".  Contains a small brighter core and a stellar nucleus.  Rose 17, an extremely faint triplet, lies 20' NNW.

 

17.5" (7/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.7', broad concentration to a 25" brighter core.  Situated within a fairly striking group of stars with three wide, brighter pairs.  Collinear with mag 10 SAO 83223 3.6' NE and a mag 11.5 star 2' NE.  About 4' SSE is a trio of mag 11/12/13 stars (including a close pair).  CGCG 133-017 lies 24' due east.

 

17.5": fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.7', broad concentration to a 25" brighter core.  Situated within a fairly striking group of stars with a mag 10/11.5 wide pair collinear with the galaxy a few arcminutes NE.  A trio of mag 10/11/12 stars lie 5' NE and another fainter pair is also near.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5508 = St. 12-62 on 26 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 4' too far SE.  His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 20 Apr 1882 with description "extremely faint and small, round, little central condensation."

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NGC 5509 = MCG +04-34-003 = CGCG 133-010 = PGC 50725

14 12 39.6 +20 23 13; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (7/17/01): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter.  Weak, even concentration and no well-defined core.  Occasionally, a faint stellar nucleus was glimpsed.  Located 7' WSW of NGC 5513/MCG +04-34-004 and first of trio.  This identification differs from the RNGC and PGC and this galaxy is not identified as NGC 5509 in CGCG, MCG or PGC.

 

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 5509 = Big. 71 on 10 Jun 1887 (his last NGC discovery).  There is nothing at the position in his second Comptes Rendus list, but he noted an error of 19' in polar distance in the remarks section of his 5th Comptes Rendus list (20 Apr 1891). Harold Corwin's re-reduced position matches CGCG 133-010 (his original error was 16').  CGCG 133-010 is not labeled NGC 5509 in the CGCG or MCG.  RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 50725, situated 3.5' NW of NGC 5508, as NGC 5509.  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5510 = ESO 579-003 = MCG -03-36-010 = PGC 50807

14 13 37.2 -17 59 02; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, fairly small, round, 0.9' diameter.  A mag 13 star is 1.3' SSE of center.  Seeing too poor for details, but the DSS image shows a knotty structure.  Forms the western vertex of a near equilateral triangle with mag 9.1 SAO 158442 9' ESE and a mag 9.8 star 9' NE.  A mag 6.5 star lies 28' SE.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5510 = LM 1-201 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.4' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *13 in field.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 30 sec of RA west (essentially correct) and 1' north of ESO 579-003.  Stone later measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC 1 Notes).

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NGC 5511 = VV 299b = Rose 18 = MCG +02-36-050 = CGCG 074-141 = Holm 606b = VIII Zw 381 = PGC 50771

14 13 05.4 +08 37 55; Boo

V = 14.9;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 167°

 

18" (6/30/11): faint to very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.3' diameter.  Forms a close pair with fainter CGCG 074-142, just 1.1' SE, which appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 12" (probably just the core seen).  CGCG 74-136 lies 9' W.

 

The identification of NGC 5511 with either galaxy in this pair is uncertain because of Hough's confusing description, but CGCG 074-141 has a higher surface brightness than -142, so seems to be the more likely of the two candidates.

 

17.5" (6/8/02): extremely faint, small, irregular or slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3'.  Only a single galaxy was seen (either CGCG 074-141 or -142, which form a 1' pair) in poor seeing ~3' W of a mag 10.5 star.  Slightly brighter CGCG 74-136 (which may be NGC 5469) lies 10' WNW.

 

George Hough discovered NGC 5511 on 10 May 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory while searching for d'Arrest's comet.  His position is ~2.5' east of VV 299, a 1' pair of galaxies (CGCG 074-141 and -142).  His description reads "small, very faint, star 10m, 10m preceding."  Ignoring his typo, there is no 10th mag star preceding, though a mag 10 star is ~3.5' east-southeast.  Assuming Hough found one of the pair, CGCG 074-141 is more likely based on my visual observation.  CGCG doesn't label either galaxy as NGC 5511.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more on this story.

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NGC 5512 = CGCG 163-006 = PGC 50749

14 12 41.1 +30 51 18; Boo

V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.3'

 

17.5" (7/22/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  Very weak concentration with an occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Nearly collinear with two mag 11 stars 3' and 8' SSW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5512 = St. 13-71 on 4 May 1870.  His unpublished position was 1' E of center.  His accurate published position in list XIII, #71 was made 13 years later on 3 May 1883 with description "faint, small, round, gradually brighter middle, seems resolvable."

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NGC 5513 = UGC 9099 = MCG +04-34-005 = CGCG 133-011 = Holm 607a = PGC 50776

14 13 08.7 +20 24 59; Boo

V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 115°

 

17.5" (7/17/01): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.75'.  Contains a bright, sharp 15" core, which is concentrated to a distinct stellar nucleus.  Three mag 11-12 stars forming an arrowhead pointing west is close south.  Brightest of trio with MCG +04-34-004 just 1.4' SW and NGC 5509 7' WSW.  The MCG appeared  faint, very small, round, only 12" in diameter.  This is a small edge-on system, so I probably only picked up the brighter core.  NGC 5513 is located 1.4 degrees NNW of Arcturus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5513 = H. II-877 = h1759 on 20 Apr 1792 (sweep 1021) and recorded "pB, pL, iF."  Caroline's reduction is 6' too far north, though he commented "PD perhaps inaccurate."  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; R" and measured a more accurate position.

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NGC 5514 = VV 70 = UGC 9102 = MCG +01-36-023 = CGCG 046-066 = PGC 50809

14 13 38.7 +07 39 37; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~1.2'x0.7', very little concentration.  Two mag 14-14.5 stars are 2.0' NNW and 1.2' NE of center.  NGC 5514 is a close double system (strongly disturbed) but the faint companion at the south edge was not seen.  NGC 5519 lies 13.5' SE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5514 on 26 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on two nights, matches UGC 9102 = VV 70 and he noted the mag 14.5 star, which he placed 3.4 sec following and 50" north.

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NGC 5515 = UGC 9096 = MCG +07-29-052 = CGCG 219-057 = PGC 50750

14 12 38.2 +39 18 37; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 108°

 

24" (6/29/22): at 327x and 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~45"x30", contains a brighter core that increases slightly to the center.  LEDA 214231, situated 3.3' E, appeared extremely faint, small, elongated at least 2:1 E-W, ~0.3'x0.15'.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration to a small brighter core.  Forms east vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5 stars 2.3' WNW and 2.3' WSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5515 = H. III-685 = h1760 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and noted "vF, cS, R."  John Herschel made three observations and noted (sweep 73) "F; S; lE; 15"."

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NGC 5516 = ESO 221-034 = AM 1412-475 = PGC 50960

14 15 54.8 -48 06 55; Cen

V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 169°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately or fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 50"x40", contains a small bright core with a relativelylarge halo.  Resides in a pretty rich star field with a pair of mag 11.1/11.4 stars at 11" separation 3.4' ESE.  This pair is at the north tip of a very distinctive "Y" or "T-bone" asterism with three stars due south, branching into two "arms" (actually a semicircle) southwest and southeast.  Three mag 12-12.5 form a small triangle less than 2' NNE.  A double star HJ 4666 = 8.5/10.5 at 11" lies 12' ESE.

 

NGC 5516 forms a close pair with ESO 221-034A just 1.8' SE.  It was visible as a very faint to faint patch, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 20"x14", low surface brightness.  The two galaxies have similar redshifts so form a physical pair.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5516 = h3562 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded (sweep 464) "F; S; R: near 2 st 12m; a small double star follows by 5'."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5517 = UGC 9100 = MCG +06-31-079 = CGCG 191-063 = PGC 50758

14 12 51.3 +35 42 39; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 125°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weakly concentrated to a slightly brighter core and a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 7' N of mag 8 SAO 63990. NGC 5499 lies 28' NW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5517 = St. 12-63 on 30 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 2' too far ENE.  His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 20 Apr 1882 with description "faint, extremely small, round, bright nucleus."

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NGC 5518 = MCG +04-34-006 = CGCG 133-013 = PGC 50817

14 13 47.7 +20 50 54; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

 

17.5" (7/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25: diameter.  Weak concentration but embedded is a sharp, stellar nucleus, easily seen with direct vision.  Squeezed between two mag 10/12 stars 1.2' NW and 1.2' SE, respectively.  NGC 5513/NGC 5509 lies 28' SSW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5518 = St. 12-64 on 26 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 3' to the SE.  His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 10 May 1882 with description "faint, very small, round, gradually brighter middle.

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NGC 5519 = NGC 5570 = UGC 9111 = MCG +01-36-025 = CGCG 103-132 = PGC 50865

14 14 20.9 +07 30 56; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4'.  A mag 14.5 star is at the following edge just 20" from the center.  Located 2.6' ENE of a mag 11 star.  NGC 5514 lies 13.5' NW.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 5519 on 26 Apr 1865 and noted "vF, pL, *10 precedes."  His single position is accurate.  Bigourdan's "corrected" position on 13 May 1896 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) is 6' too far south.

 

William Herschel possibly discovered this galaxy on 23 Jan 1784 and catalogued it as H. III.12 (later NGC 5570), but this requires there was an error recording the position.  He made a more certain observation on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1042) with a better position.  His description reads "2 vS stars with nebulosity suspected between them." It was recorded, though, as a new object due to his uncertainty.

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NGC 5520 = UGC 9097 = MCG +08-26-013 = CGCG 272-043 = LGG 372-006 = PGC 50728

14 12 22.8 +50 20 54; Boo

V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 66°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.5'.  Sharp concentration with a small bright core and faint extensions.  A mag 13 star lies 2.7' SW of center.  Located 5.3' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 29040.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5520 = H. III-676 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736). He recorded "considerably faint and small, little extended, brighter towards the preceding side, nearly in the parallel."  At a declination of +51.4° for 1787, the telescope was pointing at the zenith (latitude of Slough = 51.5°) as it crossed the meridian!

He observed the galaxy again on 1 May 1788 (sweep 840), but his RA was further out.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 12 Jun 1887 (repeated in the IC2 Notes). There were no observations by JH, d'Arrest or at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5521 = UGC 9122 = MCG +01-36-030 = CGCG 046-077 = PGC 50931

14 15 23.7 +04 24 30; Vir

V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3

 

17.5" (6/1/02): very faint, very small, round, just 15" diameter.  Appears to have a fairly sharp stellar nucleus surrounded by a small halo.  Located between a mag 11.5 star 2.5' S and a similar star 5' N.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5521 = h1761 on 10 Apr 1828 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; 15"."  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5522 = UGC 9116 = MCG +03-36-089 = CGCG 103-125 = PGC 50889

14 14 50.3 +15 08 49; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.3', weakly concentrated.  Nearly collinear with a mag 11 star 2.0' SW of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5522 = H. III-644 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "vF, vS, E.  300 confirmed it, but showed 2 small round patches united, which seem to be like vF aberrations of two stars without the stars.  I viewed them with many different adjustments of the focus."  His position is 17 sec of RA east and 2' south (or 4.5' southeast) of UGC 9116, though the description is odd.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 23 May 1887 (given in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 5523 = UGC 9119 = MCG +04-34-008 = CGCG 133-018 = PGC 50895

14 14 51.7 +25 19 05; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 4.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 99°

 

13.1" (6/4/83): faint, edge-on streak ~E-W, moderately large, almost even surface brightness.  Located 2.6' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  NGC 5548 lies 45' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5523 = H. III-134 = h1762 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220) and recorded "eF, pL, lE, r, 2 or 3 stars visible in it.  The nebula is nf a pB star."  His position is 5' too far north.  John Herschel logged (sweep 425) "pB; pL; mE; 2' l, 30" br." and measured an accurate position.  George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, examined the field on 13 Apr 1850 and apparently discovered UGC 9165.

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NGC 5524

14 14 00.6 +36 25 02; Boo

 

= *, Corwin.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5524 on 19 Apr 1855 while observing NGC 5529.  Although no absolute position was given, he placed this nova 6' west and 1' north of NGC 5527 (another LdR discovery).  JH was confused which two objects were being offset and the GC/NGC position is erroneous, but falls closest to CGCG 191-067.  Most modern catalogues misidentify this galaxy as NGC 5524. According to Harold Corwin's analysis, CGCG 191-067 = NGC 5527 and the best candidate for NGC 5524 is the unequal double star at the position given here.  This implies that Mitchell should have placed this double star 6' west and 1' south of NGC 5527.  In November 2014, though, Corwin decided a faint star, which is 5.5' from NGC 5527 and north of it by just under 1', is more consistent with Mtchell's estimates.

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NGC 5525 = UGC 9124 = MCG +03-36-096 = CGCG 103-132 = PGC 50946

14 15 39.3 +14 16 57; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 23°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint;, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.6'.  Contains a slightly brighter, rounder core ~20" diameter.  Three mag 11 stars are 6'-8' NE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5525 = St. 13-72 on 26 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 1' E.  His published accurate position was made 13 years later on 3 May 1883 with description "pretty faint, pretty small, irregularly round, slightly brighter core and nucleus."

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NGC 5526 = UGC 9115 = MCG +10-20-085 = CGCG 295-040 = FGC 1733 = PGC 50832

14 13 53.7 +57 46 17; UMa

V = 13.5;  Size 1.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 136°

 

24" (6/3/19): at 322x; moderately bright and large, very nice thin edge-on 6:1 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.2', brighter elongated core.  A mag 14.3 star is 40" N.

 

Forms a close pair with PGC 50803 just 30" SW.  The apparent companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round, at most 10" diameter.  Required averted to glimpse but was repeatable in same position perhaps 20% of the time.

 

24" (7/12/18): at 375x; faint, moderately large, very thin edge-on 7:1 NW-SE, ~70"x10", fairly low nearly even surface brightness with only a slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.3 star is 40" NNE of center.

 

MCG +10-20-084 = PGC 50803 forms a very close pair just off the west side, 0.5' from center.  It appeared very faint, round, 12" diameter.  This apparent companion lies far in the background (5.7 times the distance) at 540 million l.y.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): very faint, thin edge-on 6:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.2'.  Appears as a low surface brightness sliver with no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 0.8' NNE of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5526 = H. III-804 = H. III-805 = h1763 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He noted "considerably faint, small, elongated."  His position and description matches UGC 9115.  He observed the galaxy again on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 948) and it was catalogued a second time as III-835, at nearly the same position.  John Herschel combined the two H-designations in the GC.

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NGC 5527 = MCG +06-31-081 = CGCG 191-067 = PGC 50868

14 14 27.2 +36 24 16; Boo

V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 149°

 

18" (7/2/11): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, weak even concentration but no core or zones.  Located 17' NW of the thin edge-on NGC 5529.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 5524 in most sources.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  No concentration although appears asymmetric and possibly brighter on the west side (or an extremely faint star superimposed).  Located 17' NW of NGC 5529.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 5524 in modern catalogues.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5527 on 19 Apr 1855 with LdR's 72" during an observation of the NGC 5529 field.  This nova was described as "another vF about 15' np [of NGC 5529]."  CGCG 191-067 = PGC 50868 is a good match with this description (the actual separation is 17')  Most galaxy catalogues misidentify CGCG 191-067 as NGC 5524 (this was also Bigourdan's interpretation).  But NGC 5524 derives from Mitchell's description "another eeF about 6' preceding and 1' north of this last [NGC 5527]."  Corwin identifies NGC 5524 as an unequal double star, located 6' preceding and 1' south of NGC 5527.

 

RNGC, PGC, SIMBAD and WikiSky misidentify MCG +06-31-085a as NGC 5527.  MCG +06-31-085a is an extremely low surface brightness galaxy 0.3 min of RA west and 2' south of NGC 5529.  NED and HyperLeda correctly identify PGC 50868 as NGC 5527.  Finally, Rosse also mentions a "vF neb sf [NGC 5529], and in this direction is CGCG 191-071 (see observing notes).  Unfortunately this object didn't receive a NGC number, probably due to the lack of offset or a sketch.

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NGC 5528 = MCG +02-36-060 = CGCG 074-153 = Holm 620a/b = PGC 50981

14 16 19.9 +08 17 38; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (7/17/01): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration.  A small group of 7 mag 12-13 stars is 6' W.  Located 10' SSW of a wide pair of mag 9/10 stars.  NGC 5535/5539 pair lies 21'  ESE.  In the foreground of AGC 1890.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5528 = Sw. 6-65 on 23 Mar 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; vF * close; triple star in field preceding."  His position is just 6 sec of RA following CGCG 074-153 = PGC 50981 and his description applies, with the triple star 7' west-southwest.

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NGC 5529 = UGC 9127 = MCG +06-31-085 = CGCG 191-069 = FGC 1735 = PGC 50942

14 15 34.1 +36 13 36; Boo

V = 11.9;  Size 6.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 115°

 

48" (4/22/17): bright, very large, thin edge-on ~8:1 or 9:1 WNW-ESE, 5'x0.6'.  Contains a bright, very elongated core or central region that slightly bulges with long thin extensions.  A low contrast dust lane runs through the central 1/3 or 1/2 of the galaxy, slicing it asymmetrically with the main brighter portion on the south side of the lane.  A mag 14.6 star is at or just beyond the ESE tip.  A striking 1' string of three mag 11/13/13.5 stars is ~5' ESE of center.

 

LEDA 2076904 (V = 17.0), is just north of the east-southeast end of NGC 5529 and 2.9' ESE of center.  It appeared faint, very small, slightly elongated, ~15"x12".  CGCG 191-071 (V = 15.0), 3.6' SE of center and the brightest of the nearby galaxies, appeared  fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration.  MCG +06-31-085b (V = 16.8), 3.6' NE of NGC 5529, appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 14.5 star is 25" NW.   These three galaxies are collinear roughly N-S.

 

2MASX J14151337+3610078, 5.5' SW of NGC 5529, appeared faint, very small, round, 6" diameter.  A mag 15 star is 22" SSW.  It was easily visible (V = 16.6) due to fairly high surface brightness.  MCG +06-31-085a, 3.4' SW of NGC 5529, appeared very faint, fairly small, round, 18" diameter.  Very low even surface brightness with no zones.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 5527 in RNGC, PGC, SIMBAD and WikiSky, but it is much too faint to have been discovered visually.

 

Finally a close trio of galaxies (two interacting) lie ~9' E of NGC 5529.  LEDA 2076761 is fairly faint (V = 15.7), very small, round, 12" diameter.  LEDA 2076843 (V = 15.0) appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" to 18" diameter.  A tidal arm to the north was not seen.  Just 18" SE is 2MASX J14161954+3612404 (V = 16.2), logged as very faint to faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter.

 

18" (7/2/11): fairly faint but striking large edge-on, ~7:1 WNW-ESE, ~3.2'x0.4', weak concentration with a larger, slightly brighter central region.  No distinct core or nucleus.  A 1' string of three star mag 11/13/13.5 stars is ESE, with the bright star collinear with the major axis of the galaxy.

 

NGC 5529 forms a close pair with MCG +06-31-087 3.7' SE (background galaxy) and MCG +06-31-086 is 9' N.  The MCG to the southeast (discovered in 1855 at Birr Castle but not assigned a NGC designation) appeared extremely faint and small, round, 8" diameter, low surface brightness.  MCG +06-31-086 is faint, small, round, 15" diameter, and is situated 3.1' ENE of a mag 10.2 star.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, large, edge-on ~8:1 ratio WNW-ESE, 3.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  Two nearby mag 14.5 stars are 1.4' S of center and off the ESE extension 3.0' from center.  Forms a close pair with MCG +06-31-087 3.8' SE.  Member of the NGC 5557 group, which lies 38' ENE. 

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5529 = H. III-414 = h1764 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405). He described it as "very faint, very much elongated."  This is one of the flattest edge-on galaxies that Herschel discovered.

 

On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) John Herschel found it "pretty faint; very much elongated; a long narrow ray pos = 110.3° by micrometer; very gradually very little brighter middle; 90" long, 12" broad."

 

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded on 19 Apr 1855 a "long narrow ray with a S, R, vF neb sf..."  The second object is certainly CGCG 191-071, which was not assigned a GC or NGC designation.

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NGC 5530 = ESO 272-003 = MCG -07-29-013 = PGC 51106

14 18 27 -43 23 18; Lup

V = 11.3;  Size 4.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 127°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 3.5'x1.5'.  Appears as a low even surface brightness glow except for a 12th magnitude star that appears to be superimposed on the center!  The galaxy seems to extend further to the NW of the star or the halo may be slightly brighter is this direction. Located 3.8' SSW of a mag 10.2 star.  A small rectangular asterism of 4 mag 13-14.5 stars follows by 3'.

 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, fairly small, almost round, very bright stellar nucleus (~12th mag) surrounded by a diffuse halo.  Very far southern galaxy to view from Northern California.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5530 = h3563 on 7 Apr 1837 and recorded "a star 12m, perfectly sharp in the center of a very dilute, very gradually fading atmosphere, pmE; 90" l, 40" br.  A very remarkable specimen of its class."  His position is accurate.  Robert Innes described the galaxy with a 7-inch from the Cape of Good Hope as "a fine nebulous star".

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NGC 5531 = MCG +02-36-061 = CGCG 074-155 = PGC 50999

14 16 43.3 +10 53 06; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

24" (6/15/15): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Forms a merged pair with SDSS J141643.57+105252.4 = LEDA 4409321 barely within the halo, just 16" SSE of center.  At 375x (6mm ZAO) this small companion appeared as a faint, very small extension at the south-southeast edge of the halo.

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located near midpoint of NGC 5531 5.2' SSE and a mag 9.5 star 5' NW.  An attached companion on the south side was not noticed.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5531 on 7 Feb 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on two nights) is accurate.

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NGC 5532 = UGC 9137 = MCG +02-36-062 = CGCG 074-156 = Holm 622a = 3C 296 = PGC 51006

14 16 52.9 +10 48 27; Boo

V = 11.9;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

24" (6/15/15): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a bright core that increases to a very bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Forms a close, physical pair with NGC 5532B = PGC 214240 just 34" S of center.  At 375x it appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, 12"x8", contains a faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5531 lies 5.2' NNW.

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint-moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a well-defined bright core and occasional stellar nucleus.  I recorded a mag 14.5 star at the SE edge - but this appears to be a contact companion listed in the UGC notes as 0.3'x0.2' just 33" SSE of center!  Forms a pair with NGC 5531 5.2' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5532 = H. III-47 = h1765 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 175) and noted "vF, r.  I see two or three stars in it."  His position was 1.8' too far northwest.  One of Herschel's "stars" is very possibly the companion at the south-southeast edge that I picked up.  On 9 May 1825 (sweep 4), John Herschel measured an accurate position and called it "F, round, gradually brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5533 = UGC 9133 = MCG +06-31-089 = CGCG 191-072 = PGC 50973

14 16 07.7 +35 20 37; Boo

V = 11.8;  Size 3.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, small bright core, diffuse halo.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, elongated SW-NE, broad concentration.  Located 25' SW of a mag 5 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5533 = H. II-418 = h1766 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "pB, mbM, iR."  John Herschel made three observations. His positions vary by nearly 3' in declination, but his position on sweep 71 was accurate.  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 30 Mar 1856, noted "E nearly north-south, small star south-following, B Nucl."

 

CGCG misidentifies CGCG 191-070 as NGC 5533.

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NGC 5534 = MCG -01-36-014 = Mrk 1379 = VV 615 = PGC 51055

14 17 40.7 -07 25 02; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 55°

 

24" (6/15/15): NGC 5534 is an interacting, merging pair.  The main western component is moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, sharply concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus, 40"x25".  The dwarf companion Holm 623B = PGC 51057 is attached on the east side with the centers separated by just 26" (measured on the DSS2).  At 375x it appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, visible continuously.  At 200x, NGC 5534 is situated within a distinctive 12' string of 5 stars mag 10.5-12.5 extending southwest to northeast.  Mag 6.5 HD 125184 lies 9' SE.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small faint nucleus.  Located within in a line of five stars mag 11-12.5 aligned SW-NE of length 11.8'.  The nearest is a mag 12.5 star 1.6' W.  Mag 6.5 star SAO 139856 is 9.0' SSE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5534 = T. 5-30 = St. 12-65 on 27 Apr 1878.  His uncorrected position was 2' too far SW.  Stephan's published micrometric position was reduced on 17 May 1881 and included in his 12th list (#65), published in 1883.  Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered NGC 5534 on 29 Apr 1881 and reported it as new in his 5th discovery paper (#30) with description, "class II, stellar nucleus; a * 11-12 precedes. Lalande 21647 follows to the south."

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NGC 5535 = LEDA 97424

14 17 31.3 +08 12 30; Boo

V = 15.0;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  PA = 15°

 

48" (4/19/17): at 610x; fairly faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter.  Situated 2.4' NW of NGC 5539, the brightest cluster member in AGC 1890.

 

17.5" (7/18/01): extremely faint and small, round, 10"-15" diameter.  Collinear with two mag 14/15 stars 2.5' and 4' SW.  Located 2.4' NW of brighter NGC 5539.

 

This radio galaxy is the second brightest in AGC 1890 and at a distance of ~780 million light years (z = .057), is one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC, along with NGC 870 and NGC 2603, according to Wolfgang Steinicke

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5535 = m 273 on 8 May 1864 and noted "eF, S, irr R."  His position is 7 sec of RA east and 1.7' south of PGC 97424, the second brightest galaxy in the core of AGC 1890.  It is possible, though, this was another observation of NGC 5539 = PGC 51054, the brightest member just 2.4' SE.  MCG and CGCG identify PGC 51054 as NGC 5539/NGC 5535 and have entry for this galaxy.

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NGC 5536 = UGC 9136 = MCG +07-29-057 = CGCG 219-064 = Ark 444 = PGC 50986

14 16 23.8 +39 30 08; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.5', very small brighter core.  Located near the midpoint of two mag 11.5 stars 3.5' NW and 3.5' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5541 5.5' NNE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5536 = H. III-731 = h1768, along with NGC 5541, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "vF, vS."  On 13 May 1828 (sweep 156), John Herschel wrote: "F; R; the p of 2 or perhaps of 3."

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NGC 5537 = MCG +01-36-032 = CGCG 046-082 = PGC 51047

14 17 37.1 +07 03 17; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, small, oval 3:2 ~N-S, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the SW edge 1.3' from center.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5537 = m 274 on 8 May 1864 and noted "eeF, S, lE."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5538 = CGCG 046-083 = PGC 51056

14 17 42.5 +07 28 35; Boo

V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): extremely faint, very small, round, averted only.  Three mag 12.5-14.5 stars lie 3' S.  In a group with NGC 5542 6' NE.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 5538, along with NGC 5542, on 6 Mar 1851.  While observing the field of NGC 5546 he noted "another about 10' south-preceding [NGC 5542]."  There were no later observations to determine a more precise position.

 

Albert Marth independently found this galaxy again on 8 May 1864 and catalogued m 275 as "eF, S, E."  Dreyer catalogued it again as GCS 5762 but realized the likely equivalence with Stoney's nebula and added the note "must be = GC 3830 [LdR]", though placed it under GCS 5763.

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NGC 5539 = MCG +01-36-033 = CGCG 046-084 = PGC 51054

14 17 37.8 +08 10 46; Boo

V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 35°

 

48" (4/19/17): at 610x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 24"x 18", small bright core.  A mag 15.5 star is barely off the NE edge of the halo.  NGC 5539 is the brightest cluster member of AGC 1890.  Several fainter companions are nearby, the closest 3 form the quartet Rose 20.

 

LEDA 1340691 (V = 16.0), 0.7' SW: faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

2MASX J14173546+0810518 (V = 16.5), 0.6' W: fairly faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

LEDA 1340894 (V = 16.3), 1.8' W: extremely to very faint, round, 6"-8" diameter.

2MASX J14173411+0813258 (V = 16.1), 2.8' NNW: very faint, extremely small, round, 8" diameter.

LEDA 1342289 (V = 17.2), 3.2' N:  extremely faint and small, 5" diameter.

LEDA 1341835 (V = 15.3): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter.

 

17.5" (7/18/01): faint, small, 0.5'x0.3', elongated SW-NE.  A faint star is attached at the NE end.  Irregular surface brightness and shape.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 5535/5539 in MCG and CGCG although NGC 5535 is a separate galaxy 2.4' NW (also observed).  At a distance of ~780 million light years (z = .057), this is one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC.

 

17.5" (5/15/99): this galaxy is the brightest in AGC 1890 and appeared surprisingly faint and small.  Very faint, very small, 20" diameter, irregular appearance - appears to have a faint star involved or the galaxy may be double.  On the DSS there are several faint stars and/or stellar companions very close.  NGC 5535 is 2.4' NW (not seen).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5539 = h1767 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "F; irreg fig; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; r."  His position matches PGC 51054, the brightest member in the distant cluster AGC 1890.  NGC 5535 (discovered by Marth) is 2.4' northwest, although CGCG (046-084) and MCG (+01-36-033) equate NGC 5535 with 5539.  At a distance of ~780 million light years (z = .057), this is one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC, along with NGC 870 and NGC 2603, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.

 

Wolfgang identifies William Herschel's H. III-12, found on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 110), as NGC 5539.  See NGC 5570 for the story.

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NGC 5540 = MCG +10-20-090 = CGCG 295-041 = PGC 50883

14 14 54.3 +60 00 39; UMa

V = 13.9;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, moderate surface brightness.  Situated on a line between a mag 10 star 6.9' NE and mag 8.4 SAO 16313 11' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5540 = H. III-805 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924). He noted "extremely failnt, very small, stellar neb, 300x verified it."

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NGC 5541 = UGC 9139 = MCG +07-29-059 = CGCG 219-065 = PGC 50991

14 16 31.7 +39 35 20; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', even surface brightness.  Nestled in an 8' string of mag 12-13 stars oriented WSW-ENE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5536 5.5' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5541 = H. III-732 = h1769, along with NGC 5536, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "vF, vS, lE."  John Herschel made four observations, reporting on 16 May 1831 (sweep 357), "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"."  On another sweep he mentioned "perhaps a third one near."  This possibly refers to MCG +07-29-058.

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NGC 5542 = MCG +01-36-034 = CGCG 046-085 = PGC 51066

14 17 53.2 +07 33 31; Boo

V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0

 

17.5" (7/17/01): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.5', small bright core.  In a trio with NGC 5546 4.0' E and NGC 5543 6.4' NE.  Accidentally ran across the trio while looking for NGC 5528.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  In a trio with NGC 5546 4' E and NGC 5538 6' SW.

 

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 5542, along with NGC 5538, on 6 Mar 1851.  While observing the field of NGC 5546 he noted "another 5' preceding [NGC 5546]."  There were no later observations to determine a more precise position.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (3 observations in 1865) and noted it preceded NGC 5546 by 16-17 sec of RA.

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NGC 5543 = CGCG 046-088 = PGC 51079

14 18 04.1 +07 39 17; Boo

V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (7/17/01): faintest in a trio with NGC 5546 5.5' SSE and NGC 5542 6.4' SW.  Faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2'.  Collinear with two mag 13-14 stars equally spaced 1.2' N and 2.3' N.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, irregularly round.  Three collinear equally spaced (1' separation each) mag 14 stars trail off to the N.  In a group with NGC 5546 5' SSE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5543 on 26 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen while observing NGC 5546.  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5544 = Arp 199 NED1 = VV 210b = UGC 9142 = MCG +06-31-090 = CGCG 191-073w = LGG 378-004 = PGC 51018

14 17 02.6 +36 34 16; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; Arp 199 = NGC 5544/5545 is a striking overlapping pair.  The western galaxy NGC 5544 (type (R)SB0/a) appeared bright, moderately large, round, sharp concentration with a very bright round core.  The outer halo (spiral arms that form a pseudo-ring) extends ~50" diameter with a very low surface brightness and overlaps with NGC 5545.

 

18" (5/3/08): NGC 5544 is the southwest component of an interacting, contact pair with NGC 5545 (Arp 199).  At 280x it appeared as a fairly faint, small, round knot, ~25" diameter (very faint outer halo not seen), weak even concentration.  NGC 5544 has a slightly higher surface brightness than elongated NGC 5545.  Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

 

17.5" (3/23/85): very elongated streak WSW-ENE, moderately large, uneven surface brightness.  This is a contact pair appearing as two brighter knots at the SW end (NGC 5544) and the NE end (NGC 5545).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5544 = H. II-419 = h1771 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  He recorded it as a single object: "faint, pretty large", so the fainter eastern galaxy wasn't resolved.

 

John Herschel made three observations and logged on 27 Apr 1827 (sweep 72) "F; S; a double nebula or two which run together, pos 10° nf by diagram."  Interestingly, although he clearly resolved the second component, he credited Lord Rosse with the discovery of GC 3834 = NGC 5545.

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NGC 5545 = Arp 199 NED2 = VV 210a = UGC 9143 = MCG +06-31-091 = CGCG 191-073e = LGG 378-005 = PGC 51023

14 17 05.2 +36 34 29; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 58°

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; the eastern member of this striking overlapping pair appeared fairly bright, very elongated WSW-ENE, ~1'x0.3'.  Contains a brighter elongated core region (not as prominent as the core of NGC 5544).  The northeast end (an outer spiral arm) dimmed significantly and appeared as a very low surface brightness curving arc.  The western outer arm merged with the outer halo of NGC 5544 in a somewhat dimmer region.

 

18" (5/3/08): this galaxy forms the eastern component of an interacting, contact pair (Arp 199) with NGC 5544 attached at the WSW end. At 280x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3', weak concentration.  NGC 5544 appears as a brighter knot attached at the preceding end!  Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378), which lies 17' ESE.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): double system elongated WSW-ENE and attached to NGC 5544 at the WSW end, 0.6' between centers.  Appears larger than NGC 5544.  The two systems are separated by just a small darker region of lower surface brightness but are not cleanly resolved.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5545 on 27 Apr 1827. He noted "a double nebula [with NGC 5544] which run together pos 10° nf by diagram."  The Stoney brothers (Lord Rosse's assistants) found the pair on 10 Apr 1852 (Sat. night) and noted "either a double nebula or 2 knots of one neb."  R.J. Mitchell also logged NGC 5545 on 17 Mar 1855 while observing NGC 5544.  He recorded a "D Neb; the p one [NGC 5544] has a nucleus or a stellar point in the center, the following one [NGC 5545] is elongated, no nucleus but little brighter in the middle."  A sketch was made and included in Lawrence Parsons' 1880 publication on plate V.  John Herschel credited Lord Rosse with the discovery in the GC and Dreyer followed this in the NGC.  Steinicke concurs that John Herschel should be credited with the discovery.

 

The NGC positions for both objects are very close, but misleading as the declination for NGC 5545 (nearest arcminute) is slightly south of NGC 5544, instead of north.

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NGC 5546 = UGC 9148 = MCG +01-36-035 = CGCG 046-089 = PGC 51084

14 18 09.3 +07 33 51; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.6

 

17.5" (7/17/01): brightest in a small trio and forming a right angle with NGC 5542 4.0' W and NGC 5543 5.5' NNW.  Moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Broad concentration to a brighter core.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, prominent bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5542 4' W and NGC 5543 5' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5546 = H. III-551 = h1770 on 1 May 1786 (sweep 560) and recorded "Two [with III-552 = NGC 5549], both eF and vS.  The place is that of the last; a little inaccurate.  I would not stay to verify it properly.  So that there remains some little doubt; the 1st precedes the last about 3 or 4'."  His position is within 1.5' of UGC 9156, which is identified as NGC 5549, but there no object preceding by 3'-4'.  In his 1912 update of WH's catalogues, Dreyer suggests this observation may refer to NGC 5542 and NGC 5546, which differ by the required amount.

 

A second observation was made on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1042) and the position for III-551 is 2.4' southwest of UGC 9148!  So, his two sweeps refer to different objects.  JH also made two observations of UGC 9148 and measured an accurate position, but he was uncertain if this was his father's object and gave them both GC designations.  Dreyer combined both GC numbers in the NGC.

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NGC 5547 = UGC 9095 = CGCG 353-031 = PGC 50543

14 09 45.0 +78 36 04; UMa

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (7/16/93): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A string of three mag 12-14 stars are equally spaced about 3' to the west and oriented SW-NE.  An extremely faint mag 16 star is just off the south edge.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5547 = H. III-948 on 20 Dec 1797 (northern sweep 1074 under the pole). He noted "extremely faint, very small, elongated near the meridian [N-S]."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.2' to the east of this galaxy (within his usual errors).

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NGC 5548 = UGC 9149 = MCG +04-34-013 = CGCG 133-025 = Mrk 1509 = LGG 381-001 = PGC 51074

14 17 59.6 +25 08 13; Boo

V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 110°

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly bright, small, fairly bright stellar nucleus [Seyfert galaxy], round, faint halo.  Brightest in a small group (LGG 381) with NGC 5559 26' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5548 = H. II-194 = h1773 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220) and noted "vF, stellar."  On sweep 425, John Herschel reported "B; very small & very much brighter middle; like a star with feeble atmosphere."  Deep images reveal a very low surface brightness outer tidal arm, though no obvious interacting companion.

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NGC 5549 = UGC 9156 = MCG +01-36-036 = CGCG 047-001 = PGC 51118

14 18 38.9 +07 22 38; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated.  Mag 8.9 SAO 120396 lies 7' E.  Located at the south side of the NGC 5546 group with NGC 5546 15' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5549 = H. III-552 = h1772 on 1 May 1786 (sweep 560) and recorded "Two [with III-552 = NGC 5549], both eF and vS.  The place is that of the last; a little inaccurate.  I would not stay to verify it properly.  So that there remains some little doubt; the 1st precedes the last about 3 or 4'."  His position is within 1.5' of UGC 9156.  See NGC 5546 for problems with the identity of III-552.

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NGC 5550 = UGC 9154 = MCG +02-36-065 = CGCG 074-162 = CGCG 075-003 = PGC 51108

14 18 28.0 +12 52 59; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.9'x0.6', low surface brightness with a very weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the SW edge, just 27" from center.  Located 14' SW of mag 5.4 18 Bootis.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5550 = h1774 on 4 Apr 1831 and recorded "vF; pmE; 30" l, 15" br.  Just comes into the field with 18 Bootis."  His position is accurate.  William Herschel recorded the nearby mag 5.3 star 18 Boo (13' to the northeast) on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189), but missed the galaxy.

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NGC 5551 = MCG +01-36-037 = CGCG 047-003 = PGC 51139

14 18 54.9 +05 27 04; Vir

V = 13.9;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, contains a nearly stellar nucleus.  A very faint star is at the south edge of the halo (verified on DSS).

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5551 = m 276 on 8 May 1864 and noted " 3 * * in nebulosity."  His position matches CGCG 047-003 = PGC 51139, despite the odd description.

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NGC 5552 = NGC 5558: = CGCG 047-004 = PGC 51140

14 19 03.8 +07 01 54; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  PA = 175°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5554 2.8' ESE.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' ESE on a line midway between NGC 5552 and NGC 5554.  Located 30' S of a large group at the Bootes border.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5552 = m 277, along with NGC 5544, on 8 May 1864. He simply noted "vF, S." and his RA was 5 seconds too large.  Lewis Swift may have found this pair again on 14 Jun 1884 and recorded NGC 5558 as "S; vvF; lE; 2 faint stars point to it; 2 other nr; v diff; np of 2 [with Sw. 1-33 = NGC 5564]."  His RA was 38 seconds too large, though also 32 seconds preceding NGC 5563 and Dreyer suggested that both Sw. I-33 and Sw. 1-34 referred to NGC 5563.  Harold Corwin notes that Swift's description for NGC 5558 and 5564 are a much better fit with NGC 5552 and 5554.  If so, then NGC 5552 = NGC 5558.

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NGC 5553 = UGC 9160 = MCG +05-34-017 = CGCG 163-024 = PGC 51105

14 18 29.8 +26 17 15; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/2/00): faint, small edge-on E-W, 0.8'x0.2'.  At the edge of the 220x field are IC 4397 10' NW and IC 4405 10' E  (IC 4399 6' NNW not seen).

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5553 = h1775 on 6 May 1831 and recorded "vF; lE; 15"."  Although he noted both the RA and Dec as very uncertain, his position is just 1' south of CGCG 191-075 = PGC 51161.

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NGC 5554 = NGC 5564: = CGCG 047-006 = PGC 51160

14 19 15.0 +07 01 16; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' W.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 5552 2.8' WNW.  NGC 5563 lies 12' ENE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5554 = m 278, along with NGC 5552, on 8 May 1864 and noted "eF, S."  Lewis Swift probably found this pair again on 14 Jun 1884 and recorded Sw. 1-33 = NGC 5564 as "S; vvF; sf of 2; v diff.; a star midway between them."  His RA, though, is 1 minute too large, and falls much closer to NGC 5563.  Because of this, Dreyer suggested in the NGC Notes section that NGC 5563 was perhaps a duplicate of NGC 5563.

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NGC 5555 = ESO 579-015 = MCG -03-36-011 = PGC 51124

14 18 48.1 -19 08 20; Vir

V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

 

18" (5/29/05): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.3', low surface brightness.  A mag 14 star lies 2' NE.  It took some effort to identify this galaxy in the field, even with a star chart.  Located 7' SE of a mag 9 HD 125216.  A mag 10 star is a similar distance SW.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5555 = LM 1-202 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.7' dia, irregularly round, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.3 min of RA east of ESO 579-015, typical with his positions.  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 5555.

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NGC 5556 = ESO 446-050 = MCG -05-34-009 = UGCA 389 = AM 1417-290 = PGC 51245

14 20 34.3 -29 14 32; Hya

V = 11.8;  Size 4.0'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 148°

 

13.1" (3/17/86): extremely diffuse, moderately large, very difficult, low surface brightness "hazy" region.  Involves 3-4 fainter stars on the north side.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5556 = h3564 on 8 May 1834 and recorded "eF; L; 2' diam; has some small stars involved."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5557 = UGC 9161 = MCG +06-31-093 = CGCG 191-074 = LGG 378-001 = PGC 51104

14 18 25.8 +36 29 36; Boo

V = 11.0;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 105°

 

18" (5/3/08): at 280x appeared bright, moderately large, round.  Contains a bright, 40" core and a sharply concentrated 10" intense nucleus with a bright stellar point at the center.  The outer halo is much fainter and extends slightly E-W, ~1.5'x1.3'.  A mag 10 star lies 4.8' NW.  Brightest in a group (LGG 378) with NGC 5544/5545 (Arp 199) 17' WNW.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, fairly small, small bright core dominates.  A very faint star is involved at SE side.  The NGC 5544/NGC 5545 pair lies 16' NW and the thin edge-on NGC 5529 is 38' WSW.

 

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5557 = H. I-99 = h1776 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405). He recorded "cB, S, R, bM."  On a second observation on 16 May 1787, he wrote: "vB, S, R, very suddenly much brighter middle."  His sketch in the 1811 PT paper (Fig. 25) illustrated "nebulae that are suddenly much brighter in the middle."

 

On 9 May 1826 (sweep 28) John Herschel described it as, "bright; round; very small much brighter in the middle to a star; very faint at the borders."

 

A total of 11 observations were made at Birr Castle. On 26 Apr 1848, Lord Rosse, or his assistant William Rambaut, logged "Nucleus manifested a decidedly spiral arrangement; the neb becomes eF towards the edges; from the upper [sff] par of the nucleus proceeds a circular spiral, only seen by glimpses (as also spirality of nucleus)." The observation was made during the period when spiral structure was sometimes overzealously described.  NGC 5557 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" in LdR's 1850 PT paper, though it is a standard E-type galaxy and the 1861 publication mentions "frequently observed, nothing certain”.

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NGC 5558 = NGC 5552: = CGCG 047-004 = PGC 51140

14 19 03.8 +07 01 54; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5552.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5558 = Sw. 1-32, along with NGC 5564 and NGC 5565, on 14 Jun 1884 and recorded "S, vvF, lE, 2 F st point to it, 2 others near, v diff, np of 2 [with Sw. 1-34 = NGC 5564]."  His position falls between NGC 5552 and NGC 5563 (both discovered earlier by Marth), but his description fits the pair NGC 5552 and 5554.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5559 = UGC 9166 = MCG +04-34-017 = CGCG 133-032 = LGG 381-002 = PGC 51155

14 19 12.6 +24 47 55; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 67°

 

13.1" (6/4/83): very faint, elongated WSW-ENE, fairly small, requires averted vision.  NGC 5548 lies 26' NW (similar redshifts).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5559 = H. III-347 = h1777 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, S, lE."  There is nothing near his position, but 77 sec of RA east is UGC 9166.  John Herschel made a single observation and his position (adopted in the NGC) is within 30" of UGC 9166 = PGC 51155.

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NGC 5560 = Arp 286 NED1 = UGC 9172 = MCG +01-37-001 = CGCG 047-010 = KTG 54A = Holm 630b = PGC 51223

14 20 04.5 +03 59 33; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 3.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

 

48" (5/4/16): at 375x; bright, large, very elongated 6:1 WNW-ESE, 3.5'x0.6'.  Contains a very bright, elongated core region and long, thin stretched-out arms that gradually fade (low surface brightness) towards the tips.  The arms curve slightly north on the west side and south on the east end, creating a subtle, graceful integral sign!  A mag 14.3 star is 0.7' N of center.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5566 5.3' SE.

 

24" (5/11/13): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.6', relatively large bright core, fades and tapers towards tips.  First in a trio with NGC 5566 5.3' SE (the pair forming Arp 286) and much fainter NGC 5569 7' E.  A mag 14 star is 40" N of center and mag 8.2 HD 125505 is 5' WNW.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, fairly smooth surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just 40" NNW of center.  Located 5.3' NW of NGC 5566 in a group and 5' ESE of mag 8.4 SAO 120403.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5560 = H. II-579 = h1778, along with NGC 5566, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558).  He logged it as "pretty bright, considerably large, extended."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5561 = PGC 2800986

14 17 22.8 +58 45 02; UMa

V = 14.9;  Size 0.4'x0.35'

 

17.5" (6/2/00): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4', low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is close NW [57" from center].  Forms a close pair with UGC 9151 2.6' SSW (not seen).

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5561 = Sw. 1-31 on 11 May 1885 and recorded "vvF; pS; R; F * near west."  His position is within 20 arcseconds of the center of PGC 2800986, a very compact galaxy.  Furthermore, there is a mag 14 star 1' west-northwest matching his description.  Nevertheless, PGC, MCG and RC3 misidentify UGC 9151 as NGC 5561.  This larger spiral galaxy is located just 2.4' SSW of Swift's position, but has a much lower surface brightness. Because of the misidentification, there is no (low) PGC listing for this galaxy, but it is correctly identified in online databases (NED, HyperLEDA, SIMBAD).  NGC 5561 is mentioned in the UGC notes to UGC 9151 (separation 2.6').  See Harold Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5562 = UGC 9174 = MCG +02-37-002 = CGCG 075-011 = PGC 51227

14 20 11.0 +10 15 46; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.3', even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' SE of center.  Located 3.1' NE of a mag 11 star.  UGC 9177 lies 11' NNE.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5562 on 28 Jun 1883 while observing NGC 5511 and reported it in his 8th discovery paper.  In the narrative portion of the paper, he describes (translation from Wolfgang Steinicke) "Two degrees north of it [NGC 5511], I found on June 28th a new nebula and have seen it several times. At this time I can specify its position only from Argelander's atlas [the BD]: 14h 13m Os +10d 39'. It is small, III; 3' south-preceding the nebula is a star 11m, and 3 sec following is a very faint star."  Tempel's rough position is 16' south of UGC 9174 but his description applies to this galaxy.  Bigourdan was unable to recover this galaxy (probably due to the poor offset from the BD star).  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5563 = CGCG 047-011 = PGC 51226

14 20 13.1 +07 03 20; Vir

V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, extremely small, round, small bright core.  Located just west of a line of three mag 13-14 stars including a mag 14 star 1.8' ENE and a mag 13 star 1.8' SE.  NGC 5573 lies 10' SE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5563 = m 279 on 8 May 1864 and noted "eF, S, lE."  His position matches CGCG 047-011 = PGC 51226.  Lewis Swift's position for Sw. 1-33 = NGC 5564 is just 2' south of this galaxy, but his description applies to NGC 5554.  See notes on NGC 5564.

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NGC 5564 = NGC 5554: = CGCG 047-006 = PGC 51160

14 19 15.0 +07 01 16; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5554.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5564 = Sw. 1-33, along with NGC 5558 and 5565, on 14 Jun 1884 and recorded "S; vvF; sf of 2; v diff; a star midway between them."  His position is just 2' south of NGC 5563 and Dreyer mentions in the NGC Notes section that NGC 5564 and 5565 are probably identical to NGC 5563.  But Harold Corwin notes that Swift's description applies to NGC 5554 (discovered earlier by Marth), as  a star is midway between the two galaxies.  NGC 5565 was placed just 30" south of NGC 5564, but there is nothing at this position. RNGC classifies NGC 5564 as nonexistent.

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NGC 5565

14 19 18.6 +06 59 42; Vir

 

= *?, Corwin.  = Not found, RNGC.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5565 = Sw. 1-34, along with NGC 5558 and 5564, on 14 Jun 1884 and recorded "S; vvF; R; v diff."  His position is 30" south of Sw. 1-33 = NGC 5564, which is probably a reobservation of NGC 5554.  Assuming this is the case, his offset suggests NGC 5565 refers to a mag 15.5 star 1.8' southeast of NGC 5554.

 

Harold Corwin mentions that Swift called NGC 5558 and 5564 "np of 2" and "sf of 2" and carefully describes the nearby field, although the positions imply NGC 5564 and 5565 would be a much closer pair.  Another possibility, is that NGC 5565 is actually a duplicate of NGC 5563.  In any case, there are only three galaxies in this area, and all were found previously by Marth.  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5566 = Arp 286 NED2 = UGC 9175 = MCG +01-37-002 = CGCG 047-012 = KTG 54B = Holm 630a = LGG 379-003 = PGC 51233

14 20 19.9 +03 56 01; Vir

V = 10.6;  Size 6.6'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

 

48" (5/4/16): at 375x; extremely bright and large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 6.0'x1.5'.  Very sharply concentrated with a large, roundish, very bright core containing a large, very intense nucleus!  The southern extension or arms is slightly wider than the northern counterpart and more evenly lit, though it is brighter along its southern edge, particularly closer to the core region (this is the edge of a spiral arm).  The northern branch is brighter along its northern edge and appears to be a low contrast spiral arm, bending or twisting slightly counterclockwise (towards the east).  A mag 12 star is 1.6' E of center and a mag 13.8 star is 1.2' WSW.  Brightest in an excellent trio with NGC 5560 5.3' NW and NGC 5569 4.3' NE.

 

24" (5/11/13): very bright, very large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  Very sharply concentrated with a large, bright elongated core that is also sharply concentrated with an intense elongated nucleus, angled with respect to the major axis.  The halo is very diffuse without a sharp edge, but extends at least 4.0'x1.3'.  The core is bracketed by mag 12 and 14 stars to the east and west, respectively. NGC 5569 lies 4.3' NE, beyond the edge of the galaxy, and NGC 5560 is 5.3' NW.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, small bright nucleus.  Brightest of three with NGC 5560 5.3' NW and NGC 5569 4.1' NE.  A mag 12 star is 1.6' E of center.  A pair of mag 8 and 9 stars (SAO 120402 and 120403) lie 10' NW.  NGC 5576 (brightest in a trio) lies 40' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5566 = H. I-144 = h1779, along with NGC 5560, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558).  He described NGC 5566 as "considerably bright and large, round, gradually much brighter in the middle.."  John Herschel made 3 observations. On 19 May 1832 (sweep 426) he called it "Bright; round; 40"; gradually brighter middle; resolvabe; has a *12m 1 diam of nebula distance nf."

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NGC 5567 = MCG +06-31-096 = CGCG 191-075 = PGC 51161

14 19 17.6 +35 08 16; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated bright core.  Forms a trio with NGC 5568 3' SSE and an anonymous galaxy 1' SE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5567 = h1780 on 3 Apr 1831 and noted "pF; R."  His position matches CGCG 191-075 = PGC 51161.  First in a group of 5 NGC galaxies.

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NGC 5568 = MCG +06-31-098 = CGCG 191-077 = PGC 51168

14 19 21.2 +35 05 32; Boo

V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/10/86): faint, small bright core.  Larger of a pair with NGC 5567 3' NNW.

 

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 5568 = Big. 72 on 27 May 1886.  His position matches CGCG 191-077, located 3' SSE of NGC 5567.

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NGC 5569 = Arp 286 NED3 = UGC 9176 = MCG +01-37-003 = CGCG 047-013 = KTG 54C = Holm 630c = LGG 379-002 = PGC 51241

14 20 32.1 +03 59 00; Vir

V = 14.5;  Size 1.7'x1.4'

 

24" (5/11/13): faint, fairly large, very diffuse glow with a very weak core, slightly elongated, ~1.2'x1.0'.  Faintest in a triplet; 4.3' NE of NGC 5566 and 7.0' E of NGC 5560.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): extremely faint, almost round, fairly small, just visible at 200x.  This difficult galaxy is the faintest of three and located just 4.1' NE of the center of NGC 5566 and 6.8' E of NGC 5560.

 

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 5569 on 26 Apr 1849.  While observing NGC 5560 and 5566 he noted "a new neb eeF, gradually very little brighter middle, north following h1779 [NGC 5566].

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NGC 5570 = NGC 5519 = UGC 9111 = MCG +01-36-025 = CGCG 046-070 = PGC 51185

14 14 20.9 +07 30 56; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 75°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5519.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5570 = H. III-12 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 110).  Caroline's Sweep Records (#1) simply notes "a nebula, it is excessively obscure", though in his first catalogue the description for III-12 states "vF, forming an arch with 3 stars."  The second part was probably added based on his eyepiece sketch.  In any case, there is nothing near the derived position - the case with several objects found on this early date.

 

Harold Corwin suggests H. III-12 is the first observation of NGC 5519: "NGC 5519 indeed forms an arch with two stars west and southwest, and a third is superposed on the galaxy. WH's observation puts N5570 21m 15s p, 0d 34' s of 31 Bootis.  This is 6 minutes of time off the position of N5519.  I think that the "21m" is a transcription error and should read "27m."  In that case, the RA as well as the Dec and the description would match N5519."

 

Interestingly, Herschel apparently observed NGC 5519 a second time on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043).  He noted "2 vS stars with nebulosity suspected between them" and his position is just 3' to the south of NGC 5519.  I assume the "2 very small stars" refer to the galaxy's nucleus and a mag 14.5 star superimposed at the east end.  He didn't catalogue this observation because of the uncertainty it was a nebula.

 

The next log entry in Herschel's sweep 110 (noted 6 minutes later and 3' north) is interesting: "The most south of 3 stars in a row, the largest and most north of which is my [double star] 38. II."  STF 1835 (modern designation of his double star) is the northern of 3 collinear bright stars, but the line is 26' long -- too large to fit in his 15' field.  But assuming H. III-12 is NGC 5519, a fainter N-S line of 3 stars (just 5' length) is located 6 minutes of time east of NGC 5519.  Furthermore, the brightest star (mag 9.5) is at the north end, matching the description, but this star is single.  Perhaps Caroline later mistakenly assumed the brightest star was 38. II (= STF 1835), possibly based on a rough sketch.

 

Alternatively, Wolfgang Steinicke identifies H. III-12 as NGC 5539 in his comprehensive book on William Herschel.  This galaxy lies roughly 6 minutes of RA west of STF 1835, just as the sweep record indicates, though it is 4' S of the middle (HD 126200) of the three bright stars, not the southern star.  Furthermore, NGC 5539 doesn't form an obvious arch with nearby stars, so this identification appears incorrect.  So, the most likely candidate for NGC 5570 (H. III. 12) is NGC 5519 (the identification given in HyperLEDA and NED), with some uncertainty due to two discrepancies: WH's poor RA and the description of a double star in his next log entry.

 

John Herschel searched for H. III-12 at his father's position and found h1781 on sweep 153 (9 May 1828) and again on sweep 251 (19 Apr 1830).  In the first observation he called it "Not vF; S; R; bM", but didn't measure the RA, noting "RA by [Caroline's] working list."  In his second observation he noted that III-551 (= NGC 5546) was "in the same parallel, but considerably dist in RA" and he only commented "Seen".  John used his father's working RA in the General Catalogue (GC), along with an approximate North Polar Distance, and Dreyer copied this rough position into the NGC, which falls on an empty piece of sky.

 

RNGC, PGC and SIMBAD identify CGCG 047-007 = PGC 51185 as NGC 5570.  This faint galaxy (V ≈ 15.5) is located 15' WSW of the NGC position and is certainly not WH's III-12.  It's possible that h1781 refers to PGC 51185, though it is not in the "same parallel” as NGC 5546, but 6.5' to its south.  Also, JH noted that h1781 was "Not vF" in the Slough Catalogue and "F" in the GC, yet PGC 51185 has a very low surface brightness and total magnitude.  Courtney Seligman suggests JH would have called this galaxy "extremely faint" and I agree.

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NGC 5571

14 19 32.0 +35 09 03; Boo

 

17.5" (6/2/00): at 280x-500x, three very faint stars are resolved including a very close double.  It is easy to see how this close "clump" of stars (four on the POSS) could have been mistaken for a nebula.  Located with a group of faint NGC galaxies and 30' SW of a mag 5 star.

 

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 5571 = Big. 73 on 27 May 1886.  His position in his second Comptes Rendus list corresponds with a small group of 4 stars.  According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan thought there was some nebulosity on his first observation (used in the NGC), but he resolved the stars on the second attempt.  RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 5571 with NGC 5579.  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5572 = UGC 9173 = MCG +06-31-099 = CGCG 191-079 = CGCG 192-002 = Mrk 677 = PGC 51196

14 19 35.3 +36 08 26; Boo

V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 40" diameter, weak concentration. Located at the midpoint of two mag 11 stars 6'  NE and 6' SW.  A third mag 10.5 lies 7' S.  Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5572 = St. 13-73 on 5 May 1870.  His unpublished position was 3.5' ESE of center.  A second observation was recorded on 22 May 1878.  He reduced the position on 13 May 1883 and published it in his 13th list (#73).

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NGC 5573 = MCG +01-37-005 = CGCG 047-016 = PGC 51257

14 20 41.5 +06 54 27; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 1.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 105°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): very faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, broad concentration.  NGC 5563 lies 10' NW.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5573 = m 280 on 8 May 1864 and noted "vF, S, lE."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5574 = UGC 9181 = MCG +01-37-006 = CGCG 047-018 = KTG 55A = PGC 51270

14 20 56.0 +03 14 17; Vir

V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 63°

 

24" (6/8/13): bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core that increases to an intense central spot.  Forms a prominent pair with NGC 5576 2.8' NE.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, very elongated WSW-ENE, small bright core possibly stellar.  Second brightest of three in a group with NGC 5576 2.7' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5574 = H. I-145 = h1782, along with NGC 5576, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558).  He described both as "Two, the time place is that of the 2nd [NGC 5576].  The preceding [NGC 5574] pretty bright, pretty large, extended.  Distance about 3 or 4' from sp to nf."  John Herschel called this galaxy "faint; small; little extended." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5575 = NGC 5578: = UGC 9184 = MCG +01-37-008 = CGCG 047-021 = PGC 51272

14 20 59.5 +06 12 09; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (6/1/02): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter.  Weak, even concentration to a faint, quasi-stellar nucleus.

 

Albert Marth found NGC 5575 = m 281 on 8 May 1864 and noted "F, vS, or neb*."  His position is 1' north of UGC 9184.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 22 May 1884 and it received the duplicate designation NGC 5578 (see that number).

 

William Herschel first discovered this galaxy on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1042).  He recorded "2 very small stars with suspected nebulosity, but 300x shewed them free of it."  Due to his inconclusive results, he didn't published his observation, but his position agrees to within an arcminute of the galaxy.

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NGC 5576 = UGC 9183 = MCG +01-37-007 = CGCG 047-020 = KTG 55B = PGC 51275

14 21 03.7 +03 16 16; Vir

V = 11.0;  Size 3.5'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 95°

 

24" (6/8/13): very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated E-W, 2.0'x1.6'.  Well concentrated with a large, very bright core and a more diffuse halo that gradually fades out.  The core gradually increases to the center.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' NW of center at the NW edge.  Brighter of a striking pair with NGC 5574 2.8' SW.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, bright core, bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the NW edge 1.3' from center.  Brightest of three with NGC 5574 2.7' SW and NGC 5577 10.2' NNE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5576 = H. I-146 = h1783, along with NGC 5574, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558).  He recorded both as "Two; the preceding [NGC 5574], pB; pL; E. Distance 3' or 4' sp nf."  On a later sweep he called I-146 "considerably bright, round, pretty large."  Just following in the sweep he discovered another pair - NGC 5636/5638.

 

John Herschel recorded "very bright; round; very small much brighter midde; a star 11 mag north-preceding and the nebula I 145 [NGC 5574] south-preceding makes a right-angled triangle with I. 146 at the right angle."

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NGC 5577 = UGC 9187 = MCG +01-37-009 = CGCG 047-022 = KTG 55C = PGC 51286

14 21 13.1 +03 26 09; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 3.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 56°

 

24" (6/8/13): moderately bright, large, very elongated ~7:2 SW-NE, ~3.0'x0.9', broad concentration to large, brighter central region but no distinct core or nucleus.  A mag 15.5 star is at the east flank of the NE extension and two mag 15.5 stars are off the west flank on the NE side.  Largest but faintest (by far the lowest surface brightness) of trio with NGC 5576 10' SSW and NGC 5574 12.6' SSW.

 

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly large, very elongated WSW-ENE, very diffuse, low surface brightness.  Faintest of three in a group with NGC 5576 10' SSW.

 

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 5577 on 26 Apr 1849.  While observing NGC 5576 he found that "16' nf [NGC 5576] there is a L, F ray about 4.5'x1', gradually very little brighter middle."  Two years later (12 May 1850), he described this "Nova" as "pB, D* close preceding, * in nf edge."  Although the identification is certain, the separation is only 10' northeast of NGC 5576 as noted by d'Arrest, who measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5578 = NGC 5575: = UGC 9184 = MCG +01-37-008 = CGCG 047-021 = PGC 51272

14 20 59.4 +06 12 09; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

See observing notes for NGC 5575.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5578 = Sw. 1-35 on 22 May 1884 and recorded "vF; vS; lE; mbM to nucleus."  His position is 15 sec of RA following NGC 5575 (discovered by Marth in 1864), so it's a bit surprising that Dreyer assumed it as new, and recatalogued it as NGC 5578.  In any case, NGC 5575 = NGC 5578, with NGC 5575 the primary designation.

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NGC 5579 = Arp 69 = VV 142 = UGC 9180 = MCG +06-32-002 = CGCG 191-080 = CGCG 192-003 = PGC 51236

14 20 26.5 +35 11 18; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 165°

 

48" (4/30/19): at 545x; fairly bright, fairly large, larger brighter core region, roundish with a  diffuse, very irregular halo. A linear segment of a spiral arm was occasionally visible on the northeast side [knotty portion of spiral arm on the SDSS].  The initial part of two spiral arms were just visible on the south side: a low contrast spiral arm extended SSE from the central region and occasionally a second parallel "arm" about 20" to its west also extended south.

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly large, irregular shape, contains a large brighter core that appears offset to the north side.  The surface brightness of the halo was fairly low so discerning structure was difficult and the seeing was fairly poor.  A long spiral arm that forms a looping arc on the south side was visible as faint, curving haze but no individual HII knots were resolved.

 

NGC 5579 forms a close physical pair with LEDA 214249 1.7' SSE.  It appeared faint (V = 17.2), fairly small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, ~15"x10", low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.3 star is 0.6' SW.

 

LEDA 2061435, situated 3' NNW of NGC 5579, appeared fairly faint (V = 15.8), round, 15", very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is just 0.4' NW.

 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, fairly large, slightly elongated, very diffuse, even surface brightness.  NGC 5590 lies 15' E and the NGC 5567/5568 pair is 15' WSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5579 = H. III-415 = h1784 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "eF, pL."

 

John Herschel made two observations and recorded on 27 Apr 1827 (sweep 72): "F; pL; the preceding of 2 [with h1785 = Nova]" and on sweep 331 "eF; L; 30 or 40"."  His positions on both sweeps were good, though there is nothing at his position for h1785 = NGC 5580.  But 1 min of RA due east is NGC 5590.  He claimed in the GC (and repeated by Dreyer) that NGC 5579 was missed at Birr Castle (though NGC 5589 and 5590 was observed twice).  But Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's assistant, observed the trio on 9 May 1860, describing NGC 5579 as "a pL, F neb, very gradually brighter middle, with a triangle formed by 3 stars".  This observation was mistakenly listed in the 1880 publication under GC 3826 (future NGC 5533).

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NGC 5580 = NGC 5590 = UGC 9200 = MCG +06-32-006 = CGCG 192-006 = LGG 378-003 = PGC 51312

14 21 38.3 +35 12 17; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

See observing notes for NGC 5590.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5580 = h1785 on 27 Apr 1827 and noted "Not vF; 20"; the following of 2 [with NGC 5579]."  His position for NGC 5579 on this sweep is good, though there is nothing at his position for h1785.  But exactly 1 min of RA following his position is NGC 5590 and Harold Corwin suggests (personal letter dated 9/12/94) that NGC 5580 = NGC 5590.  This would imply he missed NGC 5589 on this sweep. See Corwin's identification notes for the full story.

 

RNGC mistakenly identifies LEDA 214249, an extremely faint galaxy 1.7' S of NGC 5579, as NGC 5580.  NGC 5579 and LEDA 214249 comprise Arp 69 (category "Spiral with high surface brightness companion on arm") and Arp also misidentified the pair as NGC 5579/5580.

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NGC 5581 = MCG +04-34-021 = CGCG 133-038 = PGC 51282

14 21 16.3 +23 28 48; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7'

 

17.5" (7/22/01): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.7'x0.5', very weak concentration, very small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is close SSE [40" from center].  Located 5' NNE of a mag 10 star.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5581 = St. 13-74 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 1' SE of center.  His accurate published position in list 13, #74 was made 13 years later on 6 May 1883 with description "very faint star [stellar nucleus?] in very faint, very small, round, nebulosity."

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NGC 5582 = UGC 9188 = MCG +07-29-063 = CGCG 219-070 = CGCG 220-003 = PGC 51251

14 20 43.2 +39 41 36; Boo

V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.6'x1.1'.  Embedded in the halo is a small, rounder, prominent core ~35" diameter.  The core is moderately concentrated to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Situated with a group of stars including a mag 10.5 star 3.5' SE, a mag 13 star 1.5' WSW and a mag 14 star 1.2' following.

 

17.5" (5/19/01): moderately bright, moderately large.  The halo is 1.5'x1.0' extended SSW-NNE and contains a prominent core which increases to a stellar nucleus.  Located 3.7' NW of mag 10 SAO 64089 within a small group of stars including a mag 13 star 1.5' SW of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5582 = H. II-754 = h1786 on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "pB, pL, R, a faint nucleus."  John Herschel made four observations, describing it on 28 Apr 1827 (sweep 73) as "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; has a * 11m 50° sp, dist 80"."

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NGC 5583 = UGC 9196 = MCG +02-37-004 = CGCG 075-018 = PGC 51313

14 21 40.6 +13 13 56; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.4'x0.3'.  Forms the SE vertex of a small equilateral triangle with a mag 11 star 1' NW and a mag 14 star 1' W.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5583 = Sw. 3-80 on 4 Jun 1886 and recorded "vF; pS; R; pB * nr; also a F one."  His position is 6 sec of RA west and 1' south of UGC 9196 and his description applies.

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NGC 5584 = UGC 9201 = MCG +00-37-001 = CGCG 019-008 = PGC 51344

14 22 23.8 -00 23 16; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 3.4'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 140°

 

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, fairly large oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~2.5'x1.7', broad weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the north end and a mag 13 star is off the SE end.

 

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly large diffuse glow, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~3.5'x2.2', broad weak concentration which is offset towards the west side.  The halo is much weaker west of the core.  A mag 12 star is off the north side [2.1' NNE of center] and the SE end extends to a mag 13 star [1.9' SE of center].

 

8" (6/29/84): faint, moderately large, very diffuse, no sharp edges.  A mag 12 star is off the north edge 2.1' NNE.  Located 3.4' SW of a mag 10.5 star.

 

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 5584 on 27 Jul 1881 with his 5-inch refractor from Nashville and it's probably the first galaxy Barnard discovered.  He reported this galaxy in Sidereal Messenger I, p135 (1882) as "very faint nebulosity of moderate extension; pretty even in light.  A small star involved.  A brighter star lies north and just free of nebulosity."  It was also announced in AN 108, p.369 with a position measured by Oliver Wendell at the Harvard Observatory.  He noted that the nebula was "examined by, among others, Mr. Tempel and is here inserted merely as a matter of record", but there is not published observation by Tempel.  Swift reported a mottled appearance and thought more light and power would resolve it.

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NGC 5585 = UGC 9179 = MCG +10-20-094 = CGCG 295-045 = LGG 371-003 = PGC 51210

14 19 48.3 +56 43 45; UMa

V = 10.7;  Size 5.8'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 3.5'x2.5'. Broad, weak concentration to a 1' slightly brighter core.  A mag 14 star is close south (2.1' S of center) and a mag 11.5 star is 3.4' NE of center.  Located 5' NW of mag 9.5 SAO 29106.  Member of the M101 group.

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, diffuse.  Located 5' NW of mag 9 SAO 29106.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5585 = H. I-235 = h1790 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, very gradually much brighter middle, irregular figure, resolvable, about 4' diam."  John Herschel made a single on observation, noting "very faint; very large; round; very gradually brighter middle; diam 2' at least; moonlight and haze."

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NGC 5586

14 22 07 +13 11 06; Boo

 

= Not found, Corwin.  = *?, Gottlieb. = Not found, RNGC.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5586 = Sw. 3-81 on 4 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; R; nearly between 2 B st."  There is nothing at his position.  The nearest object is NGC 5583 (27 sec of RA west and 3' north), which he discovered the same night.  There are two bright stars bracketing his positions, but no object that could be confused with a nebula and Harold Corwin was unable to recover this object. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5587 = UGC 9202 = MCG +02-37-005 = CGCG 075-020 = PGC 51332

14 22 10.8 +13 55 04; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 2.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 162°

 

17.5" (5/15/99): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.5'.  Extended in the direction of mag 8.5 SAO 100994 5' S.  NGC 5591 lies 13' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5587 = H. III-110 = h1787 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 200) and recorded "vF, vS, lE.  240x verified it."  He later observed it on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and logged "pB, S, lE."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R: gradually brighter in the middle.  Is np a * 8m 6' dist."

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NGC 5588 = NGC 5589: = UGC 9197 = MCG +06-32-005 = CGCG 192-004 = LGG 378-002 = PGC 51300

14 21 25.1 +35 16 14; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

See observing notes for NGC 5589.

 

John Herschel found NGC 5588 = h1789 on 9 May 1826 (sweep 28) and simply noted "eF."  There is nothing at his position.  On the same sweep, he recorded NGC 5590 and measured an accurate position, but h1788 = NGC 5589 was not recorded.  So, Harold Corwin suggests h1789 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 5589.  Herschel placed NGC 5588 about as far south of NGC 5590 as NGC 5589 is north and RA's are identical, so if he reversed the direction of the declination offset from NGC 5590, then his position for h1789 = NGC 5588 would match NGC 5589.  See Corwin's identification notes for his summary.

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NGC 5589 = NGC 5588: = UGC 9197 = MCG +06-32-005 = CGCG 192-004 = LGG 378-002 = PGC 51300

14 21 25.1 +35 16 14; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, round, even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair and similar size with NGC 5590 located 4.8' SE.   Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5589 = H. III-416 = h1788, along with NGC 5590, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "Two, the time is that of the south-following, both vF and S.  Distance about 6' or more."  John Herschel made two observations and noted on 3 Apr 1831 (sweep 337), "The np of 2.  Pos with the other = 330° [NNW] by micrometer."  Herschel's h1789 = NGC 5588, which he found on 9 May 1826 (sweep 28), is probably a duplicate observation.  See that number.

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NGC 5590 = NGC 5580 = UGC 9200 = MCG +06-32-006 = CGCG 192-006 = LGG 378-003 = PGC 51312

14 21 38.3 +35 12 17; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5589 4.8' NW.  NGC 5579 lies 15' W.  Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5590 = H. III-417 = h1791, along with NGC 5589, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  John Herschel made three observations and recorded (sweep 337) "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"; the sf of 2; moonlight."  In addition, h1785 = NGC 5580 is a duplicate observation with a 1 min error in RA.  So, NGC 5590 = NGC 5580.

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NGC 5591 = UGC 9207 = MCG +02-37-006 = CGCG 075-023 = Mrk 809 = PGC 51360

14 22 33.3 +13 43 01; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 95°

 

24" (6/15/15): at 375x; the brighter western component of this merged, interacting double system appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, roughly 0.6'x0.4', brighter core, fairly low surface brightness.  The attached eastern component (PGC 93125) is elongated 5:2 E-W, ~0.5'x0.2' and contains a small, slightly brighter nucleus or knot, 6"-8" in diameter.  The two nuclei are 22" apart (measured on the DSS2).

 

17.5" (5/15/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.5', slightly brighter core.  A mag 11 star lies 2.7' SE.  NGC 5587 lies 13' NNW.  Either the pair was unresolved or I only viewed the brighter western component of this disturbed double system.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5591 = Sw. 3-82 on 4 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; S; R; pB star near south-following."  His position is 8 sec of RA too far west and 2.2' too far south though his comment "pB * near south-following" secures the identification.

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NGC 5592 = ESO 446-058 = MCG -05-34-011 = AM 1421-282 NED01 = KTS 50A = PGC 51428

14 23 55.0 -28 41 17; Hya

V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated, brighter core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5592 = H. III-924 = h3565 on 5 May 1793 (sweep 1041) and recorded "eF, S, r.  300x confirmed it."  John Herschel made the single observation "pF; E; gradually very little brighter middle; 25"." from the Cape of Good Hope.

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NGC 5593 = ESO 175-008 = OCL-926

14 25 39 -54 47 54; Lup

Size 7'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): picked up at 76x as fairly striking elongated group of stars.  At 228x, this is a distinctive group of 11 brighter mag 10/11 stars including a nice pair (h 4675 = 10/11 at 8") and perhaps 30 stars total in a 7'x2.5' group that is quite elongated E-W.  The cluster is well-detached in the field.  In the center is a nearly 1.5' region devoid of stars which separates the cluster into two subgroups with the double star just following this vacuity.  Appears fully resolved, even at low power.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5593 = h3566 on 8 Jul 1843 (sweep 468) and described "a poor, coarse, oblong cluster, which is the most condensed part of a rich region of stars 10m. Place of a double star [HJ 4675] in the following part."

 

James Dunlop was wrongly credited with the discovery of NGC 5593 in the NGC due to a transcription error he made in the RA of D 357 = NGC 5822.  See that number for more.

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NGC 5594 = IC 4412 = MCG +04-34-024 = CGCG 133-046 = PGC 51391

14 23 10.3 +26 15 57; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.5', weak concentration.  Located 1.9' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.  The galaxy did not appear as elongated as dimensions imply, so probably only viewed the inner region.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5594 = H. III-135 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220) and noted "eF, vS, stellar, 240x verified it."  In the notes section of the NGC, Dreyer says there was a discrepancy of 10' in the declination between Caroline Herschel's and Auwers' positions.  He used Caroline's [her position was actually 6' off in dec] though Auwers' was more accurate.  In Dreyer's 1912 correction list he also notes "the PD should be 63° 8'."  Using this correction, H. III-135 = CGCG 133-046.

 

Stephane Javelle rediscovered the galaxy on 14 Jul 1895 and measured a good position for J. 3-1306 (later (IC 4412).  Both CGCG and MCG label this galaxy as IC 4412.

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NGC 5595 = MCG -03-37-001 = VV 446 = VV 530 = Holm 638a = PGC 51445

14 24 13.3 -16 43 23; Lib

V = 12.0;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 55°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse, brighter core, elongated SW-NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5597 4' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5595 = H. III-121 = h1792, along with NGC 5597, on 14 May 1784 (sweep 214) and recorded "Two, both vF and nearly R.  The following [NGC 5597] which is the most south, is a little larger than the preceding [NGC 5595] but fainter; and is about one minute in dia." I should probably have overlooked it had it not been for the first; their distance is about 5' and position about 10 or 15 degrees sf."  John Herschel described this galaxy (sweep 157) as "F; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 60 or 80" diam; the first of 2; delta RA = 15s."  His position is accurate.

 

Based on a Franklin-Adams photograph taken in April 1911, H.E. Woods described NGC 5595 as a "spiral nebula; diameter 55", about 12th magnitude."  At the Helwan observatory, Knox-Shaw (1924) described it as a "curious single branch spiral, arms being formed of straight portions, absorbed [dust] on s.f. side."

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NGC 5596 = UGC 9208 = MCG +06-32-010 = CGCG 192-007 = Mrk 470 = LGG 378-006 = PGC 51355

14 22 28.7 +37 07 20; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.7'x0.6'.  Weak concentration with a very small, slightly brighter core.  Located 13' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 64115.  Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5596 = H. III-418 = h1795 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "eF, stellar."  John Herschel made the single observation "eF; S; R" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5597 = MCG -03-37-002 = VV 446 = Holm 638b = PGC 51456

14 24 27.5 -16 45 46; Lib

V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 95°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): faint, small, round, small bright nucleus, very slightly elongated, faint halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 5595 4' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5597 = H. III-122 = h1793, along with NGC 5595, on 14 May 1784 (sweep 214).  See description for NGC 5595.  John Herschel described this galaxy (sweep 157) as "vF; L; R; the second of 2; 60 or 80" diam; delta RA = 15 sec."

 

Based on a Franklin-Adams photograph taken in April 1911, H.E. Woods described NGC 5597 as a "small round nebula with bright nucleus; about 60" diameter; magnitude 12.5."

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NGC 5598 = UGC 9209 = MCG +07-30-004 = CGCG 220-007 = PGC 51354

14 22 28.3 +40 19 11; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

 

18" (7/2/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 45"x35", gradually increases to a brighter core and a very small bright nucleus.  Largest in a group with NGC 5601 4.3' E, NGC 5603 7' NE and UGC 9216 8' NE.  Located 6' E of mag 9.5 HD 126008.

 

17.5" (5/15/99): slightly larger of a similar pair with NGC 5603.  Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', very weak concentration.  In a group with NGC 5603 7' NE.  Located 6' E of mag 9.5 SAO 45011.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5598 = H. III-733 = h1796, along with NGC 5603, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "vF, vS."  John Herschel made two observations, although he noted that one position was bad and the second was uncertain in dec.  Nevertheless his second position was accurate.

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NGC 5599 = UGC 9218 = MCG +01-37-010 = CGCG 047-030 = PGC 51423

14 23 50.8 +06 34 33; Vir

V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (6/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.5', fairly even surface brightness.  Located 10' NNE of a 1' pair of mag 8.5 (SAO 120428) and 10 stars.  The compact group Shkh 358 is close NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5599 = H. III-927 = h1794 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made a total of 4 observations.

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NGC 5600 = UGC 9220 = MCG +03-37-013 = CGCG 104-015 = Ar 449 = VIII Zw 410 = PGC 51422

14 23 49.5 +14 38 20; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

17.5" (6/12/99): at 280x appears moderately bright, broadly concentrated to a 50" bright core which is slightly brighter on the following side.  The small halo is slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 1.3'x1.1'.  Forms one end of a cross asterism with a mag 10 star 8' NE and two mag 12 stars 4' N and 4' SE.

 

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, round, broad concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5600 = H. II-177 = h1797 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 200) and noted "rather F, no L, little brighter middle, r."  His position is 30 sec of time west of UGC 9220 and 2' south.  He observed it again on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and measured an accurate RA, though his declination was 3.5' too far north.  John Herschel logged it on 3 Apr 1826 (sweep 24) as "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"." His position was accurate.  On 29 Apr 1856, R.J. Mitchell recorded "Edges filamentous, centre vB.  I suspect the brightest part to be curved."

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NGC 5601 = MCG +07-30-006 = CGCG 220-009 = PGC 51370

14 22 53.3 +40 18 34; Boo

V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 0°

 

18" (7/2/11): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 30"x20", very weak concentration.  Faintest of three NGC galaxies with NGC 5598 5' W and NGC 5603 4.4' NNE.  The faintest in the group is UGC 9216 situated 6.5' N.

 

17.5" (6/8/02): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.15'.  Located 4.9' ESE of NGC 5598 and 4.3' SSW of NGC 5603 within a small group of galaxies.

 

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on LdR's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 5601 on 27 Mar 1867.  Under the listing for GC 3867 [=NGC 5598] and GC 3871 [=NGC 5603] is the comment "One or perhaps 2 novae; 2nd may be a *".  Although there was no diagram or offsets in the 1880 LdR monograph, Dreyer published a good position for NGC 5601 in the GC Supplement (5770) and NGC.  The second nebula that Ball suspected is probably UGC 9216.  The MCG selection for NGC 5601 appears to be NGC 5603, while its choice of NGC 5603 is UGC 9216.

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NGC 5602 = UGC 9210 = MCG +09-24-002 = CGCG 273-004 = PGC 51340

14 22 18.9 +50 30 05; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 166°

 

18" (5/3/08): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright, 0.4'x0.3' core and a 1.2'x0.8' halo.

 

17.5" (6/2/00): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 0.7' diameter, sharply concentrated with a bright 20" core.  MCG +08-26-022 is in the field 9' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5602 = H. II-694 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736).  He recorded "pretty faint, pretty small, much brighter middle, little extended."  At a declination of +51.4° the telescope was literally pointing at the zenith (latitude of Slough = 51.5°) as the galaxy crossed the meridian.

 

Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland observed the field on 9 Apr 1874. He noted, "2 nebulae, both S, nf one the fainter."  A diagram with west down, published in the large 1880 monograph, appears to show NGC 5602, labeled Alpha with a bright core, and probably CGCG 272-003, labeled Beta.  The orientation of the pair is correct, although NGC 5602, the north-following object, is much brighter.  Two additional objects, labeled Delta and Gamma (indicated with a question mark) are also included, those these are likely faint stars.  Probably since there was no follow up observation and Dreyer didn't know which object was NGC 5602, he didn't assign CGCG 272-003 an NGC designation.

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NGC 5603 = UGC 9217 = MCG +07-30-008 = CGCG 220-011 = I Zw 86 = PGC 51382

14 23 01.5 +40 22 38; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

18" (7/2/11): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, fairly high surface brightness, well concentrated to a very small, bright core.  Brightest in a small group of 4 galaxies at 285x including NGC 5603B = UGC 9216 2.6' NNW, NGC 5601 4.4' SSW and NGC 5598 7' SW.  The UGC appeared very faint, fairly small, very low surface brightness, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2'.

 

17.5" (5/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, even concentration to a brighter core and faint, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5598 7' SW and NGC 5601 4.3' SSW.  Also, a low surface brightness companion, UGC 9216, less than 3' NNW was not seen.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5603 = H. III-734 = h1800, along with NGC 5598, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and noted "cF, pS.".  John Herschel made two observations (first on 13 May 1828), calling this galaxy both pB and vF. His mean position matches UGC 9217.  The MCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 5601.  Brightest in a group.

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NGC 5604 = MCG +00-37-003 = CGCG 019-016 = PGC 51471

14 24 42.7 -03 12 44; Vir

V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

 

48" (4/19/17): at 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 or 3:2 ~N-S, ~50"x35" .  Contains a bright, elongated, mottled core. The N-S extensions are a bit non-symmetric in surface brightness with a hint of spiral structure, but nothing definite.

 

VIII Zw 414, a very close pair, lies 10' NE.  At 610x, the brighter western component appeared moderately bright, small, round, 15" diameter, fairly high surface brightness.  Forms a very close pair with edge-on FGC 1750 just 12" E!  A wide bright double (9.2/11.1 at 18") lies 2.5' N.  FGC 1750 was logged as faint to fairly faint, very small, round, 6" diameter [this is the nucleus of the galaxy].  It occasionally elongated with extremely faint wings SW and NE increasing the size to 25"x6".

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, broadly concentrated with no defined nucleus.  A mag 10.5 star is 4.7' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5604 = H. III-668 = h1799 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 730) and recorded "cF, S, r."  His RA is 7 tsec too large.  On 15 Apr 1828 (sweep 146), John Herschel called it "F; pL; very gradually brighter middle to a stellar point." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5605 = MCG -02-37-003 = PGC 51492

14 25 07.6 -13 09 48; Lib

V = 12.3;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 85°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly large, diffuse, weakly concentrated to a small brighter core, fairly low surface brightness.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5605 = H. III-120 = h1798 = h3569 on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211) and recorded "eF, pL, irregularly round, rather brighter towards the following side."  Caroline's reduction is 25 sec of RA east of MCG -02-37-003 = PGC 51492.  John Herschel made a single observation from Slough and measured a more accurate position (1' too far south).  From the Cape of Good Hope, he recorded "F; pL; R; gradually very little brighter middle; 90"."

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NGC 5606 = Cr 281 = ESO 134-003

14 27 47 -59 37 54; Cen

V = 7.7;  Size 3'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this is a compact, distinctive group of two dozen stars mag 8.7-15 including four mag 8.7-10 stars in a 2'-3' region.  Two of these stars form a wide 21" pair on the west side and are surrounded by several faint companions creating a rich clump.  The main group is only 2.5' in diameter, though it is situated in a glittering, rich star field so the cluster is not completely detached from the surrounding field.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5606 = D 313 = h3568 on 8 May 1826 and recorded "a very minute group of small stars, about 2' long, extended in the parallel of the equator."  John Herschel made a single observation on 6 July 1836 (sweep 713): "a small close group of large and small stars, forming a cluster."

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NGC 5607 = NGC 5620: = UGC 9189 = MCG +12-14-001 = CGCG 337-007 = Mrk 286 = VII Zw 547 = IC 1005 = PGC 51182

14 19 26.7 +71 35 17; UMi

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (7/10/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus at moments with concentration.  The galaxy is bracketed by two mag 13-14 stars 2.8' WSW and 2.2' ENE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5607 = H. II-331 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389) and recorded "F, pS, easily resolvable."  This was the first night he swept pointing north (above the pole), instead of south. NGC 5620 = H. III-319 (found by Herschel two weeks later) may be a duplicate observation.

 

Lewis Swift rediscovered the galaxy on 7 Jun 1888 and assumed it was new.  He included it in his 7th list as #44, later IC 1005.  Swift's RA was 1 minute too small, but his description is appropriate.  So, NGC 5607 = IC 1005.

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NGC 5608 = UGC 9219 = MCG +07-30-009 = CGCG 220-012 = PGC 51396

14 23 17.7 +41 46 33; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 95°

 

17.5" (7/10/99): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~1.8'x1.2'.  This galaxy has a pretty low surface brightness with very weak concentration and an ill-defined edge to the halo.  Located 11' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 45037.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5608 = H. II-673 = h1801 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "F, pL, E, very little brighter middle."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; R; pL; very gradually brighter middle; 80".  Sky very fine." and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5609 = 2MASX J14234825+3450350 = PGC 3088538

14 23 48.3 +34 50 34; Boo

V = 15.6;  Size 0.4'x0.35'

 

48" (4/15/10): at 431x easily visible with direct vision as a moderately bright, fairly small, round glow of ~20" diameter, with a moderately high surface brightness.  Located 4' WSW of NGC 5614 and 4.7' SW of slightly brighter NGC 5613.  The redshift-based (z = .10) light-travel time is 1.3 billion years, possibly the most distant object in the NGC!

 

24" (7/8/13): at 280x, fairly faint, fairly small, round, low even surface brightness, 18" diameter.  Visible continuously with averted.  Located 4' WSW of NGC 5614 (Arp 178) in a quartet.

 

18" (5/16/09): extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter.  Required averted vision to glimpse ~20% of the time at 280x, though could consistently repeat the observation.  Visible over 1/2 the time in a 22" at 330x.  Located 4' WSW of NGC 5614.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5609 on 1 Mar 1851.  During an observation of NGC 5614 he noted "[NGC 5614] is double [with NGC 5615], two others [NGC 5609 and 5613] faint."  A diagram shows NGC 5609 5' WSW of NGC 5614 (the actual separation is 4').  On 6 May 1877 Dreyer made another observation, noting "another preceding, eeF,  v, Position from GC 3880, ~259°, Dist ~240"."

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NGC 5610 = UGC 9230 = MCG +04-34-025 = CGCG 133-049 = PGC 51450

14 24 23 +24 36 51; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 2.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 108°

 

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, nearly edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.4', moderate surface brightness with no concentration.  A mag 10 star follows by 5.6'.  Member of a small group (LGG 381), along with NGC 5548 and 5559.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5610 = H. III-136 = h1802 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220).  His description reads, "eF, vS, E.  Like two stellar nebula very near each other.  240 showed the same; though there remains a possibility of a deception."  He reobserved this galaxy on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, S, E nearly in the parallel."  John Herschel made a more detailed description (sweep 425), "pF; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; a star 9m follows 20s in the parallel." His position is accurate.

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NGC 5611 = UGC 9227 = MCG +06-32-020 = CGCG 192-013 = PGC 51431

14 24 04.9 +33 02 49; Boo

V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 63°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, very small, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.9' WSW.  NGC 5623 lies 40' ENE.  Located 9' SW of mag 9 SAO 74130.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5611 = h1803 on 29 Apr 1827 and recorded "F; S; R; very suddenly much brighter middle."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5612 = ESO 022-001 = PGC 52057

14 34 01.5 -78 23 16; Aps

V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 63°

 

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~35"x25" (core only viewed?).  A star is at the southwest end.  Located 57' NW mag 3.8 Alpha Apodis.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5612 = h3567 on 23 May 1835 and recorded "vF; E; gradually brighter in the middle; with a feeble appearance of stars, but I have hardly a doubt of its being a nebula."  His position is fairly accurate.

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NGC 5613 = Arp 178 NED1 = VV 77c = UGC 9228 = MCG +06-32-021 = PGC 51433

14 24 05.9 +34 53 31; Boo

V = 14.9;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

 

48" (4/15/10): at 431x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~24"x18", very small brighter core.  Located 2' NNW of NGC 5614.  Slightly brighter and larger than NGC 5609 situated 4.7' SW

 

24" (7/8/13): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 10" diameter, stellar nucleus.  With averted vision the halo elongates the size increases to 15"x10".  Located 2' N of NGC 5614 in a quartet, though its redshift implies NGC 5613 lies in the background at twice the distance.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): extremely faint, very small, round, requires averted vision to glimpse.  Located 2.0' N of NGC 5614.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5613 on 1 Mar 1851.  While making an observation of NGC 5614 he noted "[NGC 5614] is double [with NGC 5615], two others [NGC 5609 and 5613] faint."  A diagram shows NGC 5613 2' north of NGC 5614.  On 6 May 1877 Dreyer described NGC 5613 as "eF, pS, dif neb in Pos. 354°, Dist 116" (actual separation 120") and made a sketch.

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NGC 5614 = Arp 178 NED3 = VV 77a = UGC 9226 = MCG +06-32-022 = CGCG 192-014 = PGC 51439

14 24 07.7 +34 51 32; Boo

V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

48" (4/15/10): very bright, large, round, ~1.5' diameter, bright core increases to center.  At 330x two "stars" are superimposed, one on the northwest side of the halo with a fainter star superimposed on the east side of the halo.  A third faint star lies ~50" NE of center.  At 430x, the "star" on the NNW edge was noticed to be a compact "knot" (interacting companion NGC 5615), ~4" diameter.  A tidal tail appears as a very low surface brightness hazy extension off the NW side with NGC 5615 at the position where this glow attaches to the galaxy.  Arp classified this extension (Arp 178) as a "narrow counter-tail", apparently formed from a previous interaction with a neighbor (perhaps NGC 5615).

 

24" (7/8/13):  very bright, large, round, sharply concentrated with a blazing core that gradually brightens towards the center.  Contains a large, irregular halo that increases in size with averted to 1.4'.  A very small, very faint "knot" (NGC 5615) is at the NW edge.  NGC 5613 lies 2' NNW and NGC 5609 is 4' WSW.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 1.5' diameter.  Well concentrated to a prominent 30" core.  A mag 11 star lies 2.7' ESE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5613 2.0' N.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5614 = H. II-420 = h1804 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  His description reads, "pB, vS, R, mbM and the brightness diminishing very gradually."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.  Bindon Stoney, observing on 1 Mar 1851 at Birr Castle, noted "[NGC 5614] is double, two others [nearby] faint."  The companion (sketched as very close north-northwest) is NGC 5615.

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NGC 5615 = Arp 178 NED2 = VV 77b = MCG +06-32-023 = LGG 380-004 = PGC 51435

14 24 06.4 +34 51 54; Boo

V = 15.3;  Size 0.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 10.9

 

48" (4/15/10): at 330x logged as a faint "star" at the northwest edge of the halo of NGC 5615, although at 430x it was noticed to be a nonstellar knot, ~4" diameter.  Extending from this knot to the northwest of the halo of the galaxy is a very low surface brightness extension.  This tidal plume was classified by Arp (178) as a "narrow counter-tail".

 

24" (7/8/13): at 322x appeared as a very faint, very small knot at the NW edge of NGC 5614.

 

18" (5/16/09): at 280x, appeared as an extremely faint, virtually stellar object at the northern edge of the halo of NGC 5614, 25" from the center.  Required averted vision and only occasionally popped into view for moments.

 

17.5" (7/18/01): at 380x, occasionally an extremely faint stellar object was barely glimpsed ~25" N of the core of NGC 5614 within the outer halo.  Only detected ~15% of the time, but sighting confirmed.

 

17.5" (5/27/95 and 7/17/01): not seen.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5615 on 1 Mar 1851.  He noted "[NGC 5614] is double, two others [NGC 5609 and 5613] faint."  A diagram in the 1880 publication clearly shows a small knot at the north-northwest side of NGC 5614. A later observation by R.J. Mitchell on 14 May 1857 called it a "faint star involved north.  I suspect it to be a cluster."

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NGC 5616 = UGC 9231 = MCG +06-32-026 = CGCG 192-015 = PGC 51448

14 24 20.6 +36 27 42; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 157°

 

17.5" (7/10/99): faint, moderately large, edge-on 2.0'x0.4' oriented NNW-SSE, bright core.  A mag 15 star lies 2.5' N of center.  Located 6.7' N of mag 9.5 SAO 64124.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5616 = H. III-419 = h1805 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405).  He logged it as "very faint, very small, extended, easily resolvable." On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) John Herschel described it "very faint; small; little extended; very gradually brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5617 = Cr 282 = ESO 134-004

14 29 44 -60 42 36; Cen

V = 6.3;  Size 10'

 

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): ~75 stars are irregularly distributed over a 10' region.  The stars have a wide range of magnitudes from 10 to 14.5 and the cluster is dense in spots.  Many of the stars are organized into strings with most arranged along a fairly rich string of stars running ~NNE-SSW.  Additional groups of stars lies to the east and west.  The cluster is easily located 1.2° WNW of Alpha Centauri between Alpha and Beta.  The planetary He 2-111 lies 26' ESE.

 

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): fairly faint, large, roundish, no obvious resolution.  Alpha Centauri is in the field 1.2° ESE.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5617 = D 302 = h3570 on 8 May 1826.  Based on two observations he wrote, "a cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes, considerably congregated towards the center, 4' or 5' diameter." His position is just 2' SW of center (well within the borders).

 

John Herschel made 3 observations, first recording on 24 Apr 1835 (sweep 578), "Cl VI.  v rich; irreg R; pm comp M, but scattered at borders; 15' there are 3 stars 10m; 5 or 6 11m; the rest below 11m."

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NGC 5618 = UGC 9250 = MCG +00-37-005 = CGCG 019-026 = PGC 51603

14 27 11.8 -02 15 46; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 10°

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, moderately large, diffuse glow, 1.0' diameter, weakly concentrated.  A mag 12 star lies 2' W.  Located 15' W of mag 5.0 Phi Vir, a mag 4.9/9.5 pair at 5".

 

18" (6/18/04): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8'x0.7', fairly low surface brightness with very weak concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 2' W.  Just outside the field lies Phi Virginis (very unequal magnitude double 5.0/9.5 at 5").

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5618 = H. III-763 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 917) and noted "eF, S."  His position is within 1' of UGC 9250.

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NGC 5619 = NGC 5619A = UGC 9255 = VV 408 = KTG 57A = MCG +01-37-012 = CGCG 047-044 = Holm 645a = WBL 507-001 = PGC 51610

14 27 18.2 +04 48 10; Vir

V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 8°

 

24" (5/11/13): moderately to fairly bright, very elongated 5:2 N-S, ~1.6'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core.  Brightest and largest in a trio with IC 4424 3.7' ENE and UGC 9258 = NGC 5619C 3.2' ESE.  IC 4424 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~24"x14".  A mag 16 star is just off the south side, 15" from center.  UGC 9258 appeared faint to fairly faint, low surface brightness (face-on spiral?), round, diffuse glow, very weak concentration, 24" diameter.

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.7' NW of center.  Brightest of three with IC 4424 3.5' NE and UGC 9258 3' ESE.  The three galaxies form a rough equilateral triangle with sides of length 3'.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5619 = h1806 on 10 Apr 1828 and recorded "vF, R; very gradually brighter middle; 25"."  He missed the two nearby companions, including IC 4424.  Auguste Voigt found the galaxy again in 20 Mar 1865, though the rediscovery was not published.  Stephan made an observation on 8 May 1878 (as well as 22 May) and added the comment "+ une autre très faible".  Although he only listed a single position for NGC 5619, the other is likely IC 4424.

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NGC 5620 = NGC 5607: = UGC 9189 = MCG +12-14-001 = CGCG 337-007 = Mrk 286 = VII Zw 547 = IC 1005 = PGC 51182

14 19 26.7 +71 35 17; UMi

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

See observing notes for NGC 5607.  CGCG 337-010 is misidentified as NGC 5620 in the RNGC and PGC

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5620 = H. III-319 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 391).  It was "Suspected, extremely faint, very small."  There is nothing near his position (offset from Beta UMi 32 min 2 sec preceding and 2° 26' south), but the most likely candidate is NGC 5607, discovered by Herschel two weeks earlier and recorded as II-331. These observations were made on his first few sweeps in the north and determining accurate positions was more difficult.

 

The RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 337-010 = PGC 51356 as NGC 5620.  This galaxy is two degrees south of Herschel's position.  A better candidate is CGCG 337-009 = PGC 51326, situated 13' due north of Herschel's position.  But this galaxy is quite faint (mag 15.6pg) and between two brighter stars that Herschel would have probably mentioned.  The brightest candidate is NGC 5607

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NGC 5621

14 27 49.7 +08 14 29; Boo

 

= ***, Gottlieb.  Not found to match description, RNGC.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5621 = H. III-14? = h1807 on 30 Jan 1784 (sweep 134) and logged "I suspect an almost imperceptible cl of stars or nebulosity.  It precedes 31 Bootis 12.5 min, 9' north."  There is nothing near this position.

 

John Herschel recorded h1807, which he took as III-14 on 17 Apr 1830.  His position was 82 seconds of RA to the west and he noted "the faintest possible".  Bigourdan was unable to find this object, although he suspected a nebula at the position of h1807.  Karl Reinmuth, in his photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel", took CGCG 047-050 as NGC 5621 and described "F, cS, E, r; *14.7 p 2.0', *12.7 ssp 1.7'."

 

At the position of h1807, used in the GC and NGC, is a 26" pair of mag 15.5-16 stars and a third mag 17.5 star.  Whether this is Herschel's III-14 is unknown.

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NGC 5622 = UGC 9248 = MCG +08-26-032 = CGCG 247-028 = PGC 51541

14 26 12.2 +48 33 50; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (7/12/99): faint, moderately large, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~1.5'x1.1'.  There is a  broad, weak concentration but no core.  A mag 14 star is 2.5' SSW and another 3.0' E.  A brighter mag 11.5 star lies 4.6' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5622 = H. III-677 = h1809 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736) and recorded "very faint, pretty small, little extended."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' north of UGC 9248.  On 13 May 1830 (sweep 257), John Herschel logged, "vF; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 30"."

 

Birr Castle assistant Sir Robert Ball made an observation on 17 Mar 1868: "Elongated preceding-following, suspected spiral arm from following end toward north."

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NGC 5623 = UGC 9260 = MCG +06-32-035 = CGCG 192-021 = PGC 51598

14 27 08.7 +33 15 08; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 17°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, very small bright core, small almost round halo.  Located among a group of brighter stars including mag 9 SAO 64130 4.4' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5623 = H. II-329 = h1808 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 388) and logged "F, S, R."  On 29 Apr 1827 (sweep 74), John Herschel commented, "F; S; R; very suddenly much brighter middle; 15 to 20"; almost stellar."  Édouard Stephan made observations on 2 May and 2 Jun 1878 and also discovered UGC 9284 16' due E.

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NGC 5624 = UGC 9256 = MCG +09-24-006 = CGCG 273-006 = LGG 384-011 = PGC 51568

14 26 35.4 +51 35 09; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 3°

 

24" (6/29/16): at 260x; moderately bright, elongated 4:3 N-S, , ~0.8'x0.6'.  The surface brightness is irregular and the outline asymmetric; specifically the galaxy is brighter on the north end [appears to be an HII knot on the SDSS].  Arp 45 (pair) lies 1.1° WNW.

 

17.5" (7/12/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration.  The galaxy is collinear with two mag 12 stars 5.1' and 7.7' SSE.  Located 20' SE of mag 4.0 Theta (23) Boo.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5624 = Sw. 6-66 on 9 May 1887 and recorded "eF; S; lE; Theta Bootis in field."  His position is 12 seconds too far west.  Howe measured an accurate micrometric position (MN, LXI, 1900).

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NGC 5625 = VV 24b = MCG +07-30-013 = CGCG 220-017 = PGC 51592

14 27 02.2 +39 57 26; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

17.5" (6/23/01): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 0.7'x0.5', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star lies 3.7' E and a mag 13.5 is 5' N.  Located 12' SSW of mag 9 SAO 45057.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5625 = h1810 on 28 Apr 1827 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5626 = ESO 447-008 = MCG -05-34-015 = PGC 51794

14 29 49.1 -29 44 56; Hya

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 127°

 

18" (5/16/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:4, ~30"x24", broad weak concentration.  Forms the south vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 8.7 star 4.8' NW and mag 8 HD 127077 7' NNE.  Located 26' SE of mag 5.0 52 Hydrae.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5626 = h3571 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; R; 20"."  His position is at the southwest edge of the galaxy.

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NGC 5627 = UGC 9280 = MCG +02-37-013 = CGCG 075-046 = WBL 508-003 = PGC 51705

14 28 34.3 +11 22 41; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (7/18/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.0'x0.6'.  Broad concentration in outer halo but then suddenly rises to a very small bright core.  An isosceles triangle of mag 10/12/12 stars is close west with the 10th mag star 3' SW.

 

Brightest in a group of 6 galaxies (WBL 508) within 20' and in a tight trio with CGCG 075-044 3.7' NW and CGCG 075-048 1.8' SE.  CGCG 075-044 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.6', broad weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1' N.  CGCG 075-04 appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 0.3' diameter.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5627 = h1811 on 4 Apr 1831 and recorded "vF; R; 15"; about 3' f and 40" n of a * 9m.".  His position (h1811) matches UGC 9280.

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NGC 5628 = UGC 9278 = MCG +03-37-019 = CGCG 104-033 = PGC 51699

14 28 25.7 +17 55 28; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  Contains a very small brighter core and relatively bright stellar nucleus.  Forms the SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 10/11 stars 6' NE and 6' E.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5628 = St. 13-75 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 2.5' SW of center.  He made a second observation (within 1') on 28 May 1875.  His published micrometric position in list 13, #75 was made on 6 May 1883 with description "small nucleus of 14m surrounded by a rather fainter nebulosity, small, round, gradually condensing towards the center."

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NGC 5629 = UGC 9281 = MCG +04-34-034 = CGCG 133-065 = AWM 3-1 = PGC 51681

14 28 16.4 +25 50 56; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/11/96): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core.  I expected to find a single galaxy so was surprised to find five galaxies in the 9mm Nagler field with IC 1017 2.4' NW, IC 1013 5.8' W, IC 1019 6.0' N and IC 1020 13' NE.  I missed very compact IC 1018 1.3' SW.  NGC 5629 is located 7' W of mag 7.0 SAO 83375.

 

IC 1017 is fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 45"x25", bright core.  A mag 12 star is 1.1' WSW.  IC 1013 is very faint, fairly small, round, very weak concentration, 40" diameter.  IC 1019 is faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 13 star lies 25" W of center.  IC 1020 is faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, very small bright core.  A mag 13 star lies 0.9' NW of center.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5629 = h1812 on 6 May 1831and recorded "pF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20".  Precedes [HD 127093]."  His mean position from 2 observations matches UGC 9281.  NGC 5629 is the brightest in a cluster and it seems odd that JH didn't record any of the IC galaxies that Stephane Javelle later discovered at the Nice Observatory.

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NGC 5630 = UGC 9270 = MCG +07-30-014 = CGCG 220-018 = Holm 649a = PGC 51635

14 27 36.8 +41 15 27; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 98°

 

17.5" (6/23/01): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 1.5'x0.4'.  Nearly even surface brightness.  Extended in the direction of a mag 12 star 3.8' W.  Located 14' N of mag 6.6 SAO 45058.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5630 = H. II-674 = h1814 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, E, about 1 1/2' l and 1/2' broad; nearly in the parallel."  His position is poor (7' southeast of UGC 9270) but John Herschel made four observations.

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NGC 5631 = UGC 9261 = MCG +10-21-002 = CGCG 296-005 = PGC 51564

14 26 33.3 +56 34 58; UMa

V = 11.5;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.5

 

18" (4/26/08): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.9', sharply concentrated with a very bright, 15" core.  A faint stellar nucleus was clearly visible with direct vision.

 

17.5" (5/27/95): bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a prominent 20" core that dominates the galaxy.  The southern half of the 20' field is oddly devoid of stars (only a few mag 14-15 stars) but contains a number of mag 12-13 stars in the north half of the field.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5631 = H. I-236 = h1820 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He recorded "very bright, small, round, irregular bright nucleus."  John Herschel made two observations (first on 1 May 1831) and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5632 = NGC 5691 = UGC 9420 = MCG +00-37-020 = CGCG 019-073 = LGG 386-007 = NGC 5632 = PGC 52291

14 37 53.4 -00 23 55; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5691.

 

George Bond discovered NGC 5632 = Au 33 = HN 11, along with NGC 5651 and 5658, on 26 Feb 1853 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone observations (Steinicke lists the discovery date as 5 May 1853).  Auwers included this object in his 1862 table on new nebulae.  Bond's discovery position in AN 1453 is just 30" north of a mag 15.4 star.

 

But in 2015 Yann Pothier found that Bond misidentified his offset star as  #118 instead of #129 (in Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol I, part II, p 282-3).  Once corrected, his position ("Another nebula precedes No. 118 2m 30s, and is in the same declination with star No. 118.") is 28 seconds of RA east of NGC 5691 and the other two objects also match up with galaxies.  The RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 019-039 as NGC 5632.  See NGC 5651 and 5658.

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NGC 5633 = UGC 9271 = MCG +08-26-034 = CGCG 247-030 = I Zw 89 = PGC 51620

14 27 28.5 +46 08 50; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (5/27/95): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', moderate surface brightness, very weak concentration.  A right triangle of evenly matched mag 12 stars follows with the closest star 2.6' E.  Close W of the north vertex star is a very faint double star.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, slightly elongated.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5633 = H. I-185 = h1818 on 11 May 1787 (sweep 733) and noted "pB, S, mbM." His position is 2' south of UGC 9271.  John Herschel made two observations, logging on 26 Apr 1830 (sweep 255), "B; R: very gradually little brighter middle; 40"."

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NGC 5634

14 29 37.2 -05 58 35; Vir

V = 9.4;  Size 4.9';  Surf Br = 0.1

 

48" (5/10/18):  Beautiful globular cluster with 50 stars or more resolved at 375x!  Several streams or chains of stars (many easily visible) extend out of the central region, which is densely packed with faint stars over a bright, mottled background glow.  A few dozen very dim stars were constantly sparkling in and out of visibility so it wasn't possible to make a decent star count.  A very bright orange field star (mag 7.9 HD 127119) is superimposed in the halo on the eastern side [1.4' ESE of center].  Three additional brighter stars in the halo on the west and north side [incl. mag 11.9 star 1.7' NW of center] form a semicircle or crown, partially encircling the halo."  The cluster was ~4' diameter, though the outer halo was scraggly without a distinct edge.

 

17.5" (4/13/96): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 3.5' diameter.  Contains a large bright core of 2' diameter that appears mottled with stellarings or knots.  The brightest knot is on the northwest side of the core.  Set in a striking field between mag 8.5 SAO 139967 1.4' ESE of the globular and a mag 11 star 1.9' W, with a mag 10 star 3.7' SW of center.

 

17.5" (6/8/91): bright, round, 3.5' diameter.  Situated in a pretty field among three bright stars.  The small halo smoothly increases to a broadly concentrated core which is very mottled but not resolved.  A few very faint stars are resolved off the edges of the halo at 412x and a star or knot is visible at the west edge of the core. 

 

8": moderately bright, moderately large.  A mag 10 star is on the east edge and a mag 12 star on the west edge.

 

This globular is possibly a former member of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy and appears to be situated in the trailing tidal stream.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5634 = H. I-70 = h1813 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380).  He logged it as "vB, considerably large, brighter about the middle and the brightness diminishing very gradually, irreg, situated between 3 or 4 considerable stars."  There is nothing at his position, but 74 seconds of RA west is this globular cluster.  Herschel may have made an earlier observation on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 209).  He described H. VI. 8 as "a very close compressed cluster of stars 8 or 9' in diameter, extremely rich, of an irregular figure, a littl extended."  The position is uncertain, though Dreyer noted the similarity in descriptions and Steinicke equates NGC 5634 with both H. I. 70 and H. VI. 8, despite the very disparate classifications.

 

John Herschel logged it as "A fine small compressed globular cluster.  I can barely discern the stars; the are 19m, 80" diam; has a * 7-8m 90" dist, pos 30° sf, and another 10m np."  The latter star is south-preceding."

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NGC 5635 = UGC 9283 = MCG +05-34-049 = CGCG 163-058 = LGG 383-006 = PGC 51706

14 28 31.9 +27 24 31; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 65°

 

24" (7/6/13): at 322x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.7'.  Well concentrated with a large bright core ~30" diameter, that gradually increases to the center.  The extension to the southwest appears longer and brighter, so the galaxy has an asymmetric appearance.  The DSS confirms this impression, as the SW arm is noticeably brighter and better defined.  Nearly collinear with mag 9.5 SAO 88365 11' NW and a mag 11.5 star 7.5' NW.  A 20" pair of mag 15/16 stars lie 2' N.  UGC 9317 lies 23' ENE and appeared fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness, very weak gradual concentration with no core or zones.

 

17.5" (7/16/01): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~2:1 WSW-ENE, 2.2'x1.0'.  Broad concentration to a 40" rounder core.  Collinear with mag 9.5 SAO 88365 11' NW and a mag 11 star 7' NW.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.9' S of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5635 = H. III-132 = h1815 on 17 May 1784 (sweep 219) and recorded "eF; S; lE; with 240x it appeared the same." On 30 Mar 1827 (sweep 65), John Herschel described the galaxy as "pB; S; E; suddenly brighter middle."

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NGC 5636 = UGC 9304 = MCG +01-37-017 = CGCG 047-062 = Holm 653b = LGG 386-014 = PGC 51785

14 29 39.1 +03 15 58; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

 

24" (6/29/22): at 327x; fairly faint, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~0.9'x0.6'.  A slightly brighter thin bar extends through the center. Forms a pair with NGC 5638 2' S.

 

24" (6/27/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core, but no noticeable nucleus.  Forms a 2' (non-interacting) pair with the bright elliptical NGC 5638.

 

17.5" (6/8/91): faint, fairly small, 1.2'x0.9', slightly elongated SW-NE, very low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with the high surface brightness galaxy NGC 5638 1.9' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5636 = H. II-580 = h1816, along with NGC 5638, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558). He recorded both "Two, the place is that of the most south [NGC 5638].  pretty bright; gradually brighter middle; pretty large; round.  The most north [NGC 5636] distance about 2'.  Extremely faint; considerably large; requiring much attention to be seen."  The previous galaxies in the sweep was also a pair - NGC 5574/5576/

 

On 9 Apr 1828 (sweep 142) John Herschel noted, "eF; R; the np of 2."  At Birr castle, on 25 Apr 1848 William Parsons (or assistant Rambaut) noted "A bright, double nebula".  John Herschel assumed that one was NGC 5638 but the second object was new and assigned it a separate GC designation (3905) from II-580.  Later, Dreyer realized the second object was NGC 5636 and both GC designations are combined in the NGC.

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NGC 5637 = UGC 9293 = MCG +04-34-037 = CGCG 133-069 = PGC 51736

14 28 59.8 +23 11 29; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (7/22/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.7'x0.5', nearly even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.3' NW.  Several mag 11 stars are in the field with the closes 3.6' ESE.  UGC 9322 lies 20' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5637 = H. II-357 = h1819 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "F, S, little brighter middle, irr."  His position is 3.5' too far north. John Herschel made two observations (first on 22 May 1830) and his mean position is a good match with UGC 9293.

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NGC 5638 = UGC 9308 = MCG +01-37-018 = CGCG 047-063 = Holm 653a = LGG 386-015 = PGC 51787

14 29 40.5 +03 13 59; Vir

V = 11.2;  Size 2.7'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

 

24" (6/29/22): at 327x; very bright, fairly large, roundish, contains an intense core that increases to a brilliant nucleus.  NGC 5638 dominates an interesting trio with NGC 5636 2' N and UGC 9310 5' E.  UGC 9277 (faint edge-on) lies 17' W and IC 1024 is 30' SE.

 

24" (6/27/14): bright, large, very slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 1.8'x1.5'.  There are three very distinct brightness zones.  The central region was sharply concentrated with a very bright core containing an intensely bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.  The halo was fairly uniform and only dimmed at the edges.  NGC 5638 is the brightest in a trio with NGC 5636 2' NNW and much fainter UGC 9310 5' ESE.

 

UGC 9310 appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, ~0.6'x0.25', surprisingly low surface brightness.  Extends generally north of a mag 13 star (double with a mag 14.7 star 20" SW) at the south end, which detracts from viewing.  Another mag 13 star (very close double) is 1.3' N.

 

17.5" (6/8/91): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 5:4 NW-SE, 1.5'x1.2', increases to a very small very bright core containing a stellar nucleus.  Forms an unusual pair with low surface brightness NGC 5636 1.9' NNW.  UGC 9277, situated 18' WNW, appeared faint, small, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, very small weak concentration.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5638 = H. II-581 = h1817, along with II-580 = NGC 5636, on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and recorded "Two, the place is that of the most south [NGC 5638].  pB, gradually brighter in the middle, pL, R.  The most north [NGC 5636] distance about 2'.  eF, cL, requiring much attention to be seen."

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NGC 5639 = UGC 9290 = MCG +05-34-051 = CGCG 163-061 = Holm 651a = LGG 383-001 = PGC 51730

14 28 46.5 +30 24 46; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 98°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): faint, moderately large, round, low surface brightness, no concentration, slightly elongated E-W.  A mag 11.5 star is just 0.9' S of center.  Located 3.8' ESE of mag 8 SAO 64162, which detracts from viewing.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5639 = h1821 on 15 May 1830 and recorded "vF; R; n of a * 11m; a * 7.8 precedes."  His position and description matches UGC 9290 though CGCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 5639.

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NGC 5640 = CGCG 353-035 = PGC 51263

14 20 40.8 +80 07 23; Cam

V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  PA = 20°

 

17.5" (7/16/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 20", low even surface brightness.  Two mag 15 stars are 1' SE and 2' SSE.  An equilateral triangle of mag 10 stars with sides 3' in length is at the east edge of the 220x field.  CGCG 353-034 lies 7' W and appeared very faint, small, round, brighter core.  It was slightly brighter than NGC 5640 = CGCG 353-035!

 

17.5" (6/23/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15".  Requires averted vision to glimpse and no details visible.  A trio of mag 10-11 stars is at the east edge of the 220x field (22').  This galaxy seems very faint to be picked up by William Herschel while sweeping.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5640 = H. III-949 on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1074, under the pole).  He noted "extremely faint, small, little elongated near the parallel [in RA]."  Dreyer mentioned in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that Bigourdan twice failed to find this object, but the RA may be nearly 2.0 minutes of time following the NGC position using a different reference star.  This is one of 9 discoveries by Herschel with a declination above +80° (using 1800 coordinates), specifically the 4th most northern.

 

Corwin suggests NGC 5640 = CGCG 353-035, which is located 1.1 minutes of RA east and 3' north of the NGC position (at this high declination the difference in RA is negligible).  Using the position of NGC 5712 as a reference (the next object in the sweep), the RA for III-949 is just 30 seconds west of CGCG 353-035, so this seems likely.  Another possibility is CGCG 353-034 (same declination), which is visually brighter and elongated roughly east-west, but further off in RA.  See Corwin's notes for more on the story.

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NGC 5641 = UGC 9300 = MCG +05-34-055 = CGCG 163-063 = LGG 383-008 = PGC 51758

14 29 16.7 +28 49 18; Boo

V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 158°

 

17.5" (6/20/98): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.8'.  Fairly well-defined 30" oval core.  A mag 13 star is 2.8' preceding. IC 4442 is 11' NW at the edge of the 220x field.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated.  Located 33' NNE of STF 1850 = 7.1/7.6 at 26".  NGC 5657 is 29' NE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5641 = St. 11-24 on 19 May 1871, with additional observations on 15 May 1877, 27 Apr 1878 and 30 May 1878.  His published position (list 11, #24) was reduced on 4 Jun 1880 and matches UGC 9300.  On one observation he called it "very small and faint" and another as "pretty bright".

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NGC 5642 = UGC 9301 = MCG +05-34-052 = CGCG 163-064 = LGG 383-010 = PGC 51751

14 29 13.5 +30 01 35; Boo

V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, small bright core, 1.2'x0.8'.  A mag 13 star is attached on the following side 18" from center.  A mag 12 follows by 1.5'.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5642 = H. III-126 = h1822 on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "two small stars with suspected nebulosity between.  240 rather confirmed it, but left a doubt." On 10 Apr 1831 (sweep 342), John Herschel reported "pB; vS; close to and np a * 12m; pos from * = 33.5° by micrometer."  His position and description matches UGC 9301.

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NGC 5643 = ESO 272-016 = MCG -07-30-003 = AM 1429-435 = PGC 51969

14 32 40.7 -44 10 28; Lup

V = 10.0;  Size 4.6'x4.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x I was very impressed with this large, bright barred spiral.  The halo is slightly elongated, ~3.5'x3.0' and sharply concentrated with a very bright, small, core.  A brighter bar oriented E-W extends through the center.  A star is superimposed on this bar to the west of the core.  A second superimposed star lies 35" to the south and continuing on this line is a third star just at the edge of the halo, 1.7' S of center.  At the east end of the bar a slightly enhanced arc sweeps clockwise to the north and a similar enhancement on the west side sweeps to the south.  The faint arc or arms wrap around 180° making a complete outer ring. The central bar and the outer ring together formed the Greek letter "Theta".  NGC 5643 is situated in a fairly rich Lupus star field.

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fascinating glimpses of structure at 228x!  This galaxy was fairly bright and large, round, ~3.5' diameter.  The surface brightness was clearly patchy in the halo due to the strong impression of clockwise spiral structure but there was only a broad, weak concentration in the center, except for a sharply concentrated, bright 15" nucleus. A broad spiral arm is attached on the east side of the galaxy and shoots sharply to the north.  There was an impression of another spiral arm attached on the west side of the galaxy. It appeared to sweep towards the south in a clockwise orientation, though this structure was not as well defined.  A string of five stars angling SSE to NNW appear to puncture the galaxy on the south side with the northern two stars superimposed on the west side of the galaxy. The last star in the chain is just west of the nucleus.  Located in a star field densely peppered with stars.

 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, diffuse, fairly small.  Two stars are superimposed on the south and SW side.

 

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 5643 = D 469 = h3572 on 10 May 1826 and recorded "an exceedingly faint, extended nebula, about 10' long; rather ill-defined."  His position is just 5' east, but his size estimate is a very poor match (transcribed correctly from his handwritten notes).  Perhaps he thought a nearby chain of stars was a nebula and the positional match is just a coincidence?

 

John Herschel first observed the galaxy on 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454) and logged "pB, L, very gradually brighter middle, 2', resolvable, or with stars."  Two nights later he called it "pF, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle; has many stars intermixed."  This galaxy was first resolved as a "spiral nebulae" on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station around 1900 with the 24-inch Bruce refractor.

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NGC 5644 = UGC 9321 = MCG +02-37-016 = CGCG 075-057 = PGC 51834

14 30 25.6 +11 55 40; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (6/24/95): moderately bright, round, 1.0' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a well-defined, nearly stellar bright nucleus.  Forms the vertex of a right angle with a mag 12 star 1.4' SW and a mag 14 star 0.9' NNW of center.  Located 4.7' SSW of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 5647 4.0' SE and brightest in a group.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5644 = St. 11-26, along with NGC 5647, on 11 May 1869.  His published micrometric position was made 11 years later on 11 Jun 1880.

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NGC 5645 = UGC 9328 = MCG +01-37-019 = CGCG 047-070 = PGC 51846

14 30 39.7 +07 16 29; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 2.4'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, 2.0'x1.5', elongated 3:2 E-W, gradually increases to elongated ill-defined core.  Located 6' W of mag 9.1 SAO 120507.

 

8" (6/29/84): faint, small, diffuse, low surface brightness, irregularly round, slightly elongated ~E-W.  A mag 10 star is ESE.  Located near the Bootes border.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5645 = H. II-150 = h1823 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 192) and recorded "F, pS, nearly R, easily resolvable."  His position was 3.5' too far north.  He made another observation on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1042), logged "cB, iF, about 2' long and 1 1/2' broad" and measured an accurate position.  John Herschel made two observations, describing it as both "vF" (on 8 May 1828) and "pB" (on 19 Apr 1830).

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NGC 5646 = UGC 9312 = MCG +06-32-045 = CGCG 192-030 = PGC 51779

14 29 33.9 +35 27 42; Boo

V = 14.2;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 81°

 

17.5" (6/20/98): very faint, small.  With extended viewing, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.3', only a weak concentration.  Requires averted to see full extensions well.  The major axis is collinear with a mag 10 star 2.0' following. Located 13' NW of NGC 5656.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5646 = St. 11-25 on 28 Apr 1881.  His micrometric position matches UGC 9312.  William and John Herschel, both of whom observed nearby NGC 5656, missed this galaxy.

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NGC 5647 = UGC 9329 = MCG +02-37-017 = CGCG 075-058 = PGC 51843

14 30 36.1 +11 52 36; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  There is a hint of extremely faint extensions N-S.  A mag 12 star lies 1.2' SW of center.  Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 5644 4.0' NW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5647 = St. 11-27, along with NGC 5644, on 11 May 1869.  He measured an accurate micrometric position 11 years later on 11 Jun 1880.

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NGC 5648 = NGC 5649 = UGC 9330 = MCG +02-37-019 = CGCG 075-059 = LGG 383-002 = PGC 51840

14 30 32.5 +14 01 28; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 172°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5649.

 

Guillaume Bigourdan found NGC 5648 = Big. 74 on 23 May 1887 and recorded "mag 13.4-13.5, 30" dia, without nucleus, distinct from GC 3911 [NGC 5649].  His position matches NGC 5649 = h1824, although because John Herschel's position was poor, Bigourdan thought it was new.  Later, Bigourdan realized the equivalence (given in the 17 Jun 1901 Comptes Rendus paper) and the IC 2 Notes state NGC 5648 = NGC 5649.

 

RNGC, UGC, MCG and RC3 label this galaxy as NGC 5648, but by historical priority, NGC 5649 should be the primary designation.  See Webb Society Quarterly Journal for July 1991.

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NGC 5649 = NGC 5648 = UGC 9330 = MCG +02-37-019 = CGCG 075-059 = LGG 383-002 = PGC 51840

14 30 32.5 +14 01 28; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 172°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', ill-defined halo with weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 5655 5.5' SE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5649 = h1824 on 4 Apr 1831 and noted "the faintest perceivable; the first and northern of 2".  His position was 1.5' to the SE.  He mistakenly assumed his father's H. III-645 applied to this galaxy, instead of NGC 5655, which he claimed as a  "nova". 

 

The identifications are confused in all the major catalogues.  NGC 5649 is labeled as NGC 5648 (a duplicate observation by Bigourdan) in the RNGC, UGC and RC3 but as NGC 5649 in MCG.  By historical priority, H. III 645 = NGC 5649 should apply.  RNGC, UGC, MCG and PGC misidentify NGC 5655 = UGC 9333 as NGC 5649.  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5650 = NGC 5652? = UGC 9334 = MCG +01-37-020 = CGCG 047-072 = Holm 656a = VIII Zw 427 = PGC 51865

14 31 01.0 +05 58 43; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5652.

 

Lewis Swift found NGC 5650 = Sw. 6-67 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF, pS, R."  His position is 7 sec of RA west and 0.5' north of NGC 5652 (discovered by William Herschel), but there is only a single galaxy here.  Curiously, Swift's description doesn't mention nearby NGC 5652, so apparently he didn't realize it was catalogued in the GC.  RNGC equates NGC 5650 = NGC 5652, and Harold Corwin concurs.

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NGC 5651 = NGC 5713 = UGC 9451 = MCG +00-37-022 = CGCG 019-077 = VIII Zw 447 = LGG 386-009 = PGC 52412

14 40 11.5 -00 17 27; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5713.

 

George Bond discovered NGC 5651 = Au 34 = HN 12 on 26 Feb 1853, along with NGC 5632 and 5658, with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone observations.  At his position in AN 1453 is a very faint star.  But Yann Pothier discovered in 2015 that Bond misidentified his offset star (#118 instead of #129) in Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol I, part II, p 282-3. Once corrected, Bond's offset ("A round nebula precedes No. [129] 3 s 7' North of it." points directly to NGC 5713.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 5652 = NGC 5650 = UGC 9334 = MCG +01-37-020 = CGCG 047-072 = VIII Zw 427 = PGC 51865

14 31 01.0 +05 58 43; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 117°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, low almost even surface brightness but appears brighter on the west side.  NGC 5661 lies 21' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5652 = H. II-891 = h1825 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and logged "pB; pL; lE; BM."  His position is just off the northwest side of this galaxy.  John Herschel made two observations (first on 9 May 1828) and d'Arrest measured a single accurate position.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 19 Apr 1887 and assumed Sw. 6-67 (later NGC 5650) was new.  So NGC 5652 = NGC 5650.

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NGC 5653 = IC 1026 = UGC 9318 = MCG +05-34-058 = CGCG 163-068 = LGG 383-002 = PGC 51814

14 30 10.6 +31 12 54; Boo

V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 125°

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly bright, small, broad concentration to core but no sharp nucleus, slightly elongated E-W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5653 = H. II-330 = h1826 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "pB, pL, R, bM."  On 29 Apr 1827 (sweep 74), John Herschel logged, "F; S; R: bM; 25"."  Édouard Stephan made several observations on 8 Mar, 2 Jun 1878, 3 Jun 1878, and 13 May 1879.  Truman Safford found the galaxy on 11 May 1866 with the 18.5-inch refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and apparently thought it was new.  His RA for Sf. 13 (later IC 1026) was 1 minute too large.

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NGC 5654 = UGC 9319 = MCG +06-32-050 = CGCG 192-032 = PGC 51807

14 30 01.4 +36 21 36; Boo

V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 145°

 

24" (6/15/15): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, small bright core.  At 375x; NGC 5654 resolved into two merged components!  The brighter nucleus is on the northwest side with the main glow of the galaxy offset mostly south-southeast.  Often a fainter quasi-stellar nucleus (PGC 3577442 = SDSS J143001.68+362129.5) was seen very close south-southeast of the brighter nucleus.  The two nuclei are just 12" apart!  A mag 10 star lies 5.4' NNW and mag 9 HD 127505 is 9' E.  A 6th magnitude star (HD 127065) lies 23' SW.

 

17.5" (7/10/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.4'x0.6'.  Contains a small, round bright core.  A mag 15 star lies 1.5' SE.

 

17.5" (6/20/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Sharply concentrated with a very small core that appears offset to the northwest side giving the impression of the galaxy possibly being double.  A mag 15 star is 1.6' SE of center and a 50" pair of mag 13/14.5 stars lie 2'-3' S.  The galaxy precedes a mag 9 star (SAO 64192) by 9'.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5654 = H. III-420 = h1828 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, S."  On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331), John Herschel logged, "pF; nucleus elongated, or has a F double * in it.  Pos = 115.5°± (micrometer)".  His position matches UGC 9319 and the SDDS shows a double nucleus matching his description!  The brighter nucleus is offset northwest of center as my description.

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NGC 5655 = UGC 9333 = MCG +02-37-020 = CGCG 075-060 = Holm 654a = LGG 382-003 = PGC 51857

14 30 50.9 +13 58 07; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.5

 

17.5" (6/24/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8', weak concentration.  Located on a line between two mag 13.5 stars 1.3' NNW and 1.8' SSE from center.  There are two mag 7 and 8 less than 30' following.  Forms a pair with similar NGC 5649 5.5' NW.  Note: This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 5649 in all modern catalogues!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5655 = H. III-645 = h1827 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "eS, vS, little brighter middle, between 2 vF stars with 300."  His offsets from Zeta Boo point directly to UGC 9333, the southeast of a 5.5' pair with NGC 5649, and his comment "between 2 vF stars" clinches this identification.

 

John Herschel observed the pair on 4 Apr 1831 (sweep 338) and called h1827 "the sf of 2 [with NGC 5649]; the faintest perceivable."  His uncertain position is 9 seconds of RA east and 3.5' south of UGC 9333.  He misassigned his father's III-645 to h1824 = NGC 5649 and thought h1827 = NGC 5655 was the "nova". JH was probably confused as neither of his poor positions for the pair were a good match with his father's III-645. Dreyer repeated this error and used JH's poor position in the NGC.  Édouard Stephan observed the pair on 3 May 1870.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 23 May 1887 (see IC 2 Notes).

 

RNGC, UGC, MCG, RC3 and Deep Sky Field Guide all misidentify NGC 5655 as NGC 5649.  RNGC and PGC both misidentify PGC 51863 as NGC 5655.  PGC 51863 is located 3' NE of NGC 5655 and much too faint (B = 16.8) to have been picked up by either of the Herschels.  The correct identification was made by Karl Reinmuth in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel".  Also see Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5656 = UGC 9332 = MCG +06-32-053 = CGCG 192-034 = PGC 51831

14 30 25.4 +35 19 16; Boo

V = 11.8;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/20/98): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8'.  The brighter core is moderately concentrated.  Located 3.9' WNW of mag 9.5 SAO 64190.  A mag 14 star lies 1.0' SSE.  NGC 5646 is located 13' NW, just outside the 220x field.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5656 = H. II-421 = h1829 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "F, pL, irr."  John Herschel made four observations and on 3 Apr 1831 (sweep 337) logged, "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"; a * 9m follows 18.5 sec nearly in parallel, and a * 14m, pos 155° from neb, dist 50"."

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NGC 5657 = UGC 9335 = MCG +05-34-060 = CGCG 163-069 = Mrk 814 = LGG 383-009 = PGC 51850

14 30 43.6 +29 10 50; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 163°

 

17.5" (6/20/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.4', moderate concentration with a small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.9' S.  IC 4442 is located 28' WSW.

 

Truman Safford discovered NGC 5657 = Sf. 16 = St. 11-28 on 14 May 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 15 May 1877 (perhaps notified of Safford's discovery?).  He reported as new in his 11th discovery list (#28) with a position reduced on 5 Jun 1880.  Stephan was credited with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's discovery list wasn't published until 1887 (added to an appendix in the NGC).

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NGC 5658 = NGC 5719 = UGC 9462 = MCG +00-37-024 = CGCG 019-079 = LGG 386-010 = PGC 52455

14 40 56.6 -00 19 05; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5719.

 

George Bond discovered NGC 5658 = HN 13 = Au 35 on 26 Feb 1853, along with NGC 5632 and 5651, with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone observations (Steinicke lists the discovery date as 9 May 1853).  Auwers included this object in his 1862 table of new nebulae. There is nothing at Bond's discovery position in AN 1453 except an extremely faint star.  But Yann Pothier discovered in 2015 that Bond misidentified his offset star (#118 instead of #129) in Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol I, part II, p 282-3. Once corrected, his offset ("A fainter elongated nebula [than NGC 5713] follows No. [129] 6 s, and is 4' North of it." points directly to NGC 5719.

 

This galaxy was found again between 1908 and 1913 on Bruce plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station and assumed it was new.  It was catalogued as H.N. #1741 by Solon Bailey in a list of 1659 new nebulae (published in 1913) with the description "pB, bM, 1.0' x 0.3' at 120°, Spiral?"

 

RNGC and PGC misidentify UGC 9348 as NGC 5658.  This galaxy is located 39' north of the Bond's position.

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NGC 5659 = UGC 9342 = MCG +04-34-044 = CGCG 133-082 = LGG 383-007 = PGC 51875

14 31 06.3 +25 21 18; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 43°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  Only a broad weak concentration.  A string of faint stars trail off the NE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5659 = h1831 on 22 May 1830 and noted "eF".  His position is 2' north of UGC 9342, so the identification is fairly secure although the RA and NPD are marked as very uncertain.  Instead of listing this number as a "Nova", Herschel equated h1831 withhis father's H. III-289, which refers to NGC 2983.

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NGC 5660 = UGC 9325 = MCG +08-26-039 = CGCG 247-035 = LGG 384-002 = PGC 51795

14 29 49.8 +49 37 20; Boo

V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 90°

 

13.1" (3/24/84): moderately bright, weak concentration, diffuse halo.  NGC 5676 lies 30' ESE.  Located 20' SE of 24 Bootis (V = 5.6).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5660 = H. II-695 = h1832 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736). He recorded "pretty bright, considerably large, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle."  The discovery was made with the telescope pointing just 1° south of the zenith.  John Herschel made a single observation on 13 May 1830 (sweep 257) and called it resolvable (at least granular): "pF; vL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 3'; resolvable; stars = 20m."  His position was good (south side of halo).

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NGC 5661 = UGC 9346 = MCG +01-37-023 = CGCG 047-081 = Holm 658a = WBL 512-002 = PGC 51921

14 31 57.5 +06 15 01; Vir

V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 23°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  NGC 5652 lies 21' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5661 = H. II-892 = h1830 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and recorded "F, S, E nearly in the meridian."  His position is just off the east side of the galaxy.  John Herschel made two observations and noted (sweep 250) "vF; pL; irr fig."

 

NED mistakenly lists the alias PGC 51924, which applies to the faint compact galaxy (VII Zw 431) off the SW edge.

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NGC 5662 = Cr 284 = ESO 175-010

14 35 38 -56 37 06; Cen

V = 5.5;  Size 12'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this cluster stands out well with the 27mm Panoptic (76x) with ~60 stars resolved in a 12'x9' region.  The stars around the periphery are arranged in a distinctive concave pentagon similar to a court jester's crown. Includes three mag 9 stars as well as a number of mag 10.5-11 stars.  The richest group of stars is on the SW side and includes a mag 9 luminary along with over a dozen stars within 3' including 5 or 6 of mag 10.5/11. The cluster is too large for a pleasing view at 228x.  Situated a few arc minutes following orange-colored mag 7 HD 127753, which is isolated from the main group, though was given as the position of the cluster by John Herschel.

 

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 5662 = Lac III-8 = D 342 = h3573 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  It was included in his 1755 catalogue as Class III No. 8. and noted as "two stars in nebulosity."

 

James Dunlop observed the cluster on 25 May 1826 and recorded "A group of small stars of the 11th and 12th mag, with a multitude of minute stars mixt, extended south preceding and north following, pretty regularly scattered."

 

John Herschel observed the cluster twice from the Cape.  On 23 Apr 1835 (sweep 577) he noted "large, p brilliant, coarse, sc cl of Class VII which more than fills the field; 50 stars more or less 9..12th mag; chief star 7th mag, somewhat insulated, taken for place of cluster." In Apr 1836 (sweep 694) he logged "place of a red star, the chief and centre of a fine bright, but not rich cluster, of about 30 stars 9..13 mag. This red or high yellow star is 8th mag."

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NGC 5663 = MCG -03-37-003 = PGC 52049

14 33 56.3 -16 34 52; Lib

V = 14.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 0°

 

17.5": faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration.  Situated 4.5' NNE of a neat triple star (23"/29") of mag 13-13.5 stars.  Also a wide pair of mag 12 stars (with a mag 14 star near) is just 2.5' SE.  Located 14' NNW of mag 7.2 SAO 158642.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5663 = LM 1-203 on 31 May 1886 and reported "mag 16.0, 0.2' dia, R, gradually little brighter middle."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.9 min of RA too far west.

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NGC 5664 = IC 4455 = MCG -02-37-008 = PGC 52033

14 33 43.6 -14 37 11; Lib

V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 30°

 

17.5": faint, small, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.3'.  A mag 14.5 star is close SE.  A tight knot of 4 or 5 mag 13-15 stars within 45" lies 10' SSW.  Located 4.5° NE of Zubenelgenubi.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5664 = LM 1-204 on 6 Jun 1885 and noted "pF; S; E; gradually brighter in the middle."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min too far west but Corwin verified the identification based on his sketch.  Ormond Stone's position in the 1893 paper "Southern Nebulae" (given in the IC 1 Notes) is a similar distance too far east!  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor in Denver around 1900 (given in the IC 2 notes).

 

DeLisle Stewart found this galaxy again on an Arequipa plate in Jul 1899, although his published position for D.S. 410 (later IC 4455) was 0.8 minutes too far east and 3' too far south!  Dreyer assumed it was new but Stewart's comment "cE 30°", verifies NGC 5664 = IC 4455.  MCG labels this galaxy as IC 4455.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 5665 = Arp 49 = VV 412 = UGC 9352 = MCG +01-37-024 = CGCG 047-084 = PGC 51953

14 32 26.0 +08 04 48; Boo

V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 145°

 

48" (5/16/12): at 488x, this irregular galaxy (Arp 49) appeared bright, moderately large, irregularly round, ~1.3'x1.0', broad concentration but no distinct core.  The galaxy has a mottled appearance and seems dusty or patchy.  A very faint, large extension or halo is on the east and southeast side and an extremely faint HII knot (identified as NGC 5665A in NED) is at the east end.

 

17.5" (6/24/95): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.6'x1.2', broad concentration to a very ill-defined core.  A mag 11 star lies 5.3' ESE of center and a brighter mag 10 star 8.8' ENE.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5665 = H. II-27 = h1833 on 30 Jan 1784 (sweep 134) and recorded "a nebula following the large star under Bootis not marked in H."  Caroline added the comment in her sweep copy that "the nebula is pB and not very small; is not cometic; nor is it equally bright throughout, so that it is probably resolvable."  On 9 May 1828 (sweep 153), John Herschel wrote, "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."

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NGC 5666 = UGC 9360 = MCG +02-37-023 = CGCG 075-066 = PGC 51995

14 33 09.3 +10 30 38; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 155°

 

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter, fairly high surface brightness, weak concentration.  A mag 10.5 star is 5.0' N.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5666 = h1834 on 9 May 1825 (sweep 4) and recorded "vF; R; 10".  Stellar; hardly distinguishable from a star."  His position was accurate.  This was only his 4th deep sky discovery.

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NGC 5667 = UGC 9344 = MCG +10-21-004 = CGCG 296-008 = PGC 51830

14 30 22.8 +59 28 12; Dra

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 168°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, moderate irregular surface brightness (brighter on the south end).  A mag 14.5 star is involved at the NNW tip 42" from the center somewhat confusing the observation.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5667 = H. II-807 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He logged "pretty bright, elongated in meridian [N-S], 1 1/2' l and 3/4' br."

 

Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland noted "very much elongated 0°, two centres of condensation."  He probably noticed the brighter knot at the south end.

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NGC 5668 = UGC 9363 = MCG +01-37-028 = CGCG 047-090 = LGG 386-017 = PGC 52018

14 33 24.4 +04 27 01; Vir

V = 11.5;  Size 3.3'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

13.1" (5/26/84): moderately bright, weak concentration, diffuse outer halo of lower surface brightness, moderately large.  Two bright stars mag 8.5 SAO 120528 and mag 10 are located 5'-6' NE with a separation of 1.7' N-S.  Member of NGC 5668-5746 group (LGG 386).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5668 = H. II-574 = h1835 on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557) and recorded "F, S, lE, r; preceding two very considerable stars."  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min 16 sec of RA west is UGC 9363, and the description applies.  Because of the poor position, when John Herschel found it again on 9 Apr 1828 (sweep 142) he assumed it was a nova and recorded "vF; pL; R; has a * 15m, nf, involved or very near." In the General Catalogue he equated h1835 with H. II-574.

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NGC 5669 = UGC 9353 = MCG +02-37-021 = CGCG 075-064 = PGC 51973

14 32 43.9 +09 53 31; Boo

V = 11.3;  Size 4.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (3/12/94): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  Broad concentration to a large, slightly brighter core but no nucleus.  The core appears offset to the north side.  Forms a pair with CGCG 075-063 6.2' WNW.

 

8" (3/24/84): very faint, fairly small, very diffuse, round, even surface brightness.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5669 = H. II-79 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 179) and recorded "F, L, R, little brighter middle, r, about 4 or 5' diameter.  His RA was 45 seconds of time too large.  Édouard Stephan made observations on 30 Apr 1870 and 1 May 1875.  and Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 9 May 1894 that was printed in the IC 2 Notes.

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NGC 5670 = ESO 272-019 = PGC 52161

14 35 41.9 -45 58 01; Lup

V = 12.0;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 74°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very small brighter core and much fainter extensions.  Nearby stars make the view interesting; a mag 14 star is close off the east side and a mag 13.5 star (double) is at the west edge. A mag 8.2 star (HD 127923) is just 2.3' SW!  Located 20' WNW of the bright double star HJ 4690 = 5.5/7.7 at 19".  This is a very pretty pair with a bright light yellow primary and a blue secondary.  Another mag 5.5 star (HD 128068) is 18' SSE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5670 = h3574 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF, S, lE, between 2 stars 13 and 14 m, forming northern side of a trapezium of stars, one of the others is 8 m." His position and description clearly matches ESO 272-019, although RNGC lists the number as nonexistent (no reference given).

 

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 5670 on 21 Jul 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope.  He noted the nebula was "much elongated" and the star at the southwest end was a double.

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NGC 5671 = UGC 9297 = MCG +12-14-006 = CGCG 337-014 = PGC 51641

14 27 42.0 +69 41 39; UMi

V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 45°

 

17.5" (7/12/99): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, ~1.2'x0.9' SW-NE.  Weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Ill defined halo appears to change orientation with averted vision, so difficult to pin down the PA (the bar and core is elongated NW-SE but the arms are oriented SW-NE).  Forms the eastern vertex of an obtuse triangle with two mag 10 stars 3.8' SW and 8.1' WSW.  MCG +12-14-4 is just outside the 220x field 12.5' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5671 = H. III-882 on 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005) and noted "vF, pS, R, bM."  Caroline's reduced position is 6' southeast of UGC 9297.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 27 Jun 1887.  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 5671.

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NGC 5672 = IC 1030 = UGC 9354 = MCG +05-34-068 = CGCG 163-077 = LGG 383-003 = PGC 51964

14 32 38.3 +31 40 12; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (6/20/98): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5'.  At moments a stellar nucleus was glimpsed.  Located 4' NE of a striking evenly matched double star STF 1855 = 9.2/10.1 at 15".  The major axis of the galaxy is nearly collinear with this double star!

 

NGC 5672 is superimposed in the foreground of AGC 1930 (Bootes Cluster) at z = .131.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5672 = H. III-310 = h1836 = Sf. 6 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "vF, vS, irregular."  John Herschel made one good observation, logged "vF; R; little brighter middle" and measured an accurate position.

 

Truman Safford independently found this galaxy on 4 May 1886 with the 18.5-inch refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  His RA was 1 minute too large (same error as IC 1026 = NGC 5653, found just a week later), so Dreyer assumed it was a new object and catalogued it as IC 1030. So, NGC 5672 = IC 1030.

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NGC 5673 = UGC 9347 = MCG +08-26-042 = CGCG 247-039 = LGG 384-004 = PGC 51901

14 31 30.9 +49 57 29; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 136°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): faint, edge-on 5:1 NW-SSE, 2.2'x0.4'.  NGC 5673 has similar dimensions and position angle as IC 1029 9.7' ESE but doesn't contain a bright core so is not nearly as prominent in the same field.  A mag 13.5 star is at the NW tip 1.1' from center.  IC 1029 = UGC 9361 appeared moderately bright, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.4'.  Contains a very small and round prominent core with a faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Located 3.2' W of a mag 9.5 star.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5673 = h1838 on 13 May 1830 and recorded "very faint; pretty much extended; south following a star 15m."  He assumed h1838 was a reobservation of his father's II-696, which is a brighter edge-on 10' ESE (UGC 9361). John used his own position for II-696 in the GC and Dreyer copied this into the NGC.  In the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, Dreyer assumed that his position for II-696 position was incorrect: "the transit must have been entered 1 tmin too late".  Because of the error in the NGC position, when Bigourdan observed the pair on 14 Jun 1887, he assumed H. II-696 was new, measured an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued it as IC 1029. 

 

Harold Corwin feels it is wisest to keep NGC 5673 assigned to fainter UGC 9347, to conform to the current catalogues as well as the GC and NGC.  So, NGC 5673 = h1838 = UGC 9347 and IC 1029 = H. II-696 = B. 185 = UGC 9361, an unusual situation in which an IC object was discovered by WH!   Malcolm Thomson felt that NGC 5673 should apply to H. II-696, though in that case UGC 9347 would not receive a NGC or IC number.

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NGC 5674 = UGC 9369 = MCG +01-37-031 = CGCG 047-096 = VIII Zw 434 = PGC 52042

14 33 52.4 +05 27 29; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

18" (7/2/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, ~1.0' diameter, gradual even concentration to a slightly brighter core, then suddenly increases a fairly bright stellar nucleus.  The outline of the halo seems irregular and shifts with averted vision.  In the same low power field with NGC 5679 20' ESE.

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration.  NGC 5679 lies 20' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5674 = H. II-893 = h1837 on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and noted "pB, S, iF."  John Hershel made 4 observations and his mean position is at the north edge of the galaxy.

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NGC 5675 = UGC 9357 = MCG +06-32-062 = CGCG 192-038 = LGG 385-001 = PGC 51965

14 32 39.8 +36 18 08; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 2.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 137°

 

24" (6/15/15): moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.6', bright core.

 

UGC 9350, located 7.8' W, is fairly faint, fairly small, thin edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 36"x9".  Situated just 30" W of a mag 11.3 star which detracts somewhat from viewing.

 

17.5" (6/20/98): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.7', broad concentration with large oval core.  With direct vision a faint quasi-stellar nucleus is visible at times.  A wide pair [33" separation] of mag 11/12.5 stars lies 6' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5675 = H. II-422 = h1839 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and logged "F, cL, unequally bright, irregular."  John Herschel called this galaxy "F; S; E; bM" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5676 = UGC 9366 = MCG +08-26-043 = CGCG 247-042 = CGCG 248-003 = LGG 384-005 = PGC 51978

14 32 46.7 +49 27 26; Boo

V = 11.2;  Size 4.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 47°

 

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE.  Located 19' WNW of CH Bootis (V = 5.7-5.9).  Brightest in a group (LGG 384) including IC 1029 27' N, NGC 5660 30' WNW and NGC 5673 33' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5676 = H. I-189 = h1842 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736). He recorded "considerably bright, considerably large and broad, extended from south preceding to north following."   John Herschel made a single observation: "Bright; large; elongated; resolvable; pretty gradually much brighter middle."

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NGC 5677 = UGC 9378 = MCG +04-34-046 = CGCG 133-088 = PGC 52072

14 34 12.9 +25 28 04; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (6/24/95): located in a field with three mag 9 stars including SAO 83402 7' NW, SAO 83404 5' WNW and a mag 9.5 star 2.0' NW of center.  Fairly faint, 1.2' diameter, even surface brightness.  Irregularly round, although cannot determine PA.  Forms a pair with UGC 9340 8' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5677 = H. III-283 = h1840 on 17 Feb 1785 (sweep 373) and recorded "vF, vS, about 8' south of a small triangle of pretty large stars, and just following a larger triangle of stars; a little larger than those of the former triangle." John Herschel made the single observation "F; R; r; has 3 stars 9-10m north-preceding."  He made a misprint in the Slough Catalogue, equating h1840 with H. III-289, instead of H. III-283.  Two additional observations were made at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5678 = UGC 9358 = MCG +10-21-005 = CGCG 296-009 = PGC 51932

14 32 05.8 +57 55 17; Dra

V = 11.3;  Size 3.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 5°

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, broad mild concentration.  Located 2.6' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 29187 (double star A 1106 = 9.7/10.9 at 2").  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' SE of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5678 = H. I-237 = h1843 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924). He logged "bright, irregular oval, very gradually much brighter middle."  John Herschel made two observations, noting on 1 May 1831 (sweep 345):  "B; little extended in meridian; gradually much brighter middle; 50"."

 

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney observed it on 26 Apr 1851: "small, elongated north-south, light mottled, very little brighter middle, Nucl suspected, within a trapezium of 4 or 5 stars."

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NGC 5679 = Arp 274 = UGC 9383 = VV 458 = MCG +01-37-034 = MCG +01-37-35 = MCG +01-37-36 = CGCG 047-110 = PGC 52132

14 35 08.8 +05 21 31; Vir

V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 127°

 

48" (5/16/12): MCG +01-37-034, the fainter western component of NGC 5679, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter, round, small bright core.  An uncatalogued pair (~6" separation) of relatively bright stars is at the north edge!  Forms a close pair with MCG +01-37-035, the brighter eastern component of NGC 5679, just 0.6' between centers.

 

MCG +01-37-035 appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 or 5:3 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.6', well concentrated with a bright core.  MCG +01-37-036, the faintest member of the Arp 274 trio, lies 0.6' ESE.  It appeared fairly faint, small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.

 

18" (7/2/11): NGC 5679 (Arp 274) is a triple system, though only the two main components were noticed.  Initially seen as a merged image with a mag 12.5 attached on the NW side, the two galaxies could only be separated with careful viewing.  The western component (MCG +01-37-034 = NGC 5679A) is faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, slightly elongated, ~25"x20", no core or zones.  The star (double on the DSS) is at the NNW tip.  MCG +01-37-035 = NGC 5679B is attached on the east side.  This component appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~40"x20", sharply concentrated with a small, brighter core.  A pair of mag 13/13.5 stars oriented N-S is 2' NE.  In Arp's category "double galaxies with connected arms".

 

17.5" (6/8/91): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE, low surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is attached at the west end 0.7' from center and confuses the view.  NGC 5674 is 20' WNW and UGC 9400 18' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5679 = H. II-894 = h1841, along with NGC 5674, on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and noted "F, S."  His position is 9 sec of RA west of Arp 274.  John Herschel made a total of 5 observations and noted (sweep 250) "among stars and seems attached to a * 12m like a wisp."

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NGC 5680 = CGCG 019-068 = PGC 52173

14 35 44.4 -00 00 49; Vir

V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/8/91): faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is on the north edge and a mag 12 star is 1.6' NW of center.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5680 = m 282 on 12 Apr 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, vS."  His position is 1' north of CGCG 019-068 = PGC 52173

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NGC 5681 = UGC 9393 = MCG +02-37-025 = CGCG 075-083 = PGC 52169

14 35 42.9 +08 18 01; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

 

17.5" (6/8/02): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter.  Seeing too poor for any details.  Located 4.4' SW of a mag 10.4 star and 50' ENE of NGC 5665.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5681 on 1 May 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is just off the west side of UGC 9393.

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NGC 5682 = UGC 9388 = MCG +08-27-002 = CGCG 248-008 = Holm 663a = WBL 516-001 = LGG 384-006 = PGC 52107

14 34 45.0 +48 40 13; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 127°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): extremely faint. very small, round, ~20" diameter.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5683 1.3' ESE.  A mag 14 star is 2.1' S of center. I only observed the core and missed the low surface brightness arms.  The pair is located ~8' SW of NGC 5689 within a group of 5 galaxies.

 

13.1" (5/27/84): extremely faint, near visual threshold, no details.  A mag 14 star is 2' S.  Located 8.5' SW of NGC 5689 in a group.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5682, along with NGC 5683 and 5693, on 13 Apr 1850.  He was observing the field of NGC 5689.  He simply noted three nova, labeled A = NGC 5682, B = NGC 5683 and C = NGC 5693, which he called "faint" and placed them reasonably accurately in his sketch.

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NGC 5683 = MCG +08-27-003 = CGCG 248-009 = Mrk 474 = Holm 663b = WBL 516-002 = PGC 52114

14 34 52.4 +48 39 43; Boo

V = 14.9;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 14.4

 

17.5" (6/27/98): extremely faint and small, round, ~15" diameter.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5682 1.3' NW and required careful viewing at 280x to clearly resolve the pair.  Member of the NGC 5689 group.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5683, along with NGC 5682 and 5693, on 13 Apr 1850.  He was observing the field of NGC 5689.  He noted three nova, labeled A = NGC 5682, B = NGC 5683 and C = NGC 5693, which he called "faint" and placed them reasonably accurately in his sketch.

 

MCG reverses the dimensions of NGC 5682 and NGC 5683 and the RC3 dimensions are too large.

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NGC 5684 = UGC 9402 = MCG +06-32-073 = CGCG 192-046 = LGG 385-002 = PGC 52179

14 35 50.0 +36 32 35; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 105°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 1.0'x0.8', gradually increases to a small bright core, only a small outer halo.  Situated between two mag 14.5 stars 1.5' NW and 1.5' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5686 3.5' SE.  NGC 5695 lies 20' E.  Located 15' SE of mag 6.0 SAO 64227.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5684 = H. III-421 = h1844 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, vS".  John Herschel made 4 observations and recorded on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331), "pB; R.  The preceding of 2 [with NGC 5686]."

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NGC 5685 = UGC 9403 = MCG +05-34-081 = CGCG 163-087 = PGC 52192

14 36 15.4 +29 54 30; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 12.5 star is 3' NE.  Located 22' NE of Sigma Bootis (V = 4.5).

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5685 = St. 13-76 on 4 May 1870.  His unpublished position was 2' E of center.  His accurate published position in list XIII, #76 was made 13 years later on 11 May 1883 with description "very faint, very small, round, gradually condenses to a 15th mag nucleus."

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NGC 5686 = MCG +06-32-075 = CGCG 192-048 = PGC 52189

14 36 02.5 +36 30 11; Boo

V = 14.3;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 5684 3.5' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5686 = h1845 on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "vF; vS.  The following of 2 [with NGC 5684]."  His position is very accurate.

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NGC 5687 = UGC 9395 = MCG +09-24-020 = CGCG 273-014 = PGC 52116

14 34 52.3 +54 28 33; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 2.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

 

18" (5/3/08): at 280x appeared fairly bright, fairly small for a bright galaxy, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core and much fainter extensions.  A short 1' N-S string of 3 stars begins at the preceding end with a mag 13.5-14 star.  A fainter mag 14.5-15 star is at the east end bracketing the galaxy.  Located 2' N is mag 9.9 HD 238370.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): located 2.0' N of mag 9.2 SAO 29208.  Faint, small, elongated 4:3 E-W.  Two mag 13 and 14 stars are very close preceding 46" SW and 1.3' SSW of center, respectively.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5687 = H. II-808 = h1849 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 927) and recorded "pB, S, iF, easily resolvable.  Mixed with some pL stars which may perhaps belong to it."  John Herschel made a single observation, noting "F; irreg fig; r; has a *10, 2' sf."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5688 = ESO 272-022 = MCG -07-30-004 = AM 1436-444 = PGC 52381

14 39 35.1 -45 01 08; Lup

V = 11.9;  Size 3.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 85°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~2'x1.5'.  Contains a moderately bright 45" core surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo.  Striking setting as the galaxy is surrounded by a number of stars around the periphery from the north around the west side and back along the south side.  A linear string of 4 stars oriented SW to NE is off the NE flank of the galaxy.  The overall star field is rich in faint stars.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5688 = h3575 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "not vF; S; very gradually brighter middle; 25"; among stars."  His position is 1' south of ESO 272-022 = PGC 52381.

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NGC 5689 = UGC 9399 = MCG +08-27-004 = CGCG 248-010 = WBL 516-003 = LGG 384-007 = PGC 52154

14 35 29.6 +48 44 30; Boo

V = 11.9;  Size 3.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 85°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:2 WSW-ENE.  The tips of the extensions fade into the background but appear ~2.2'x0.5' with averted vision.  Sharply concentrated with a well-defined bright core.  With direct vision, a quasi-stellar or stellar nucleus is visible at times.  Brightest of five in a group with NGC 5682, NGC 5683, NGC 5693 and NGC 5700.

 

13.1" (3/24/84 and 5/27/84): fairly bright, distinctive very elongated streak E-W, fairly small, small bright nucleus.  Brightest in a group including NGC 5682 and NGC 5693.

 

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, small, elongated E-W, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5689 = H. I-188 = h1848 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "cB or pB, mbM, lE in the direction of the parallel, about 1 1/2' long."  He observed this galaxy again 3 nights later (sweep 736) and called it "pB, mbM, E in the parallel with faint branches."  John Herschel made the single observation "B; S; pmE; pretty suddenly brighter middle; pos nearly in the parallel."  His position and description matches UGC 9399.  George Stoney made a sketch on 13 Apr 1850 with LdR's 72".

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NGC 5690 = UGC 9416 = MCG +00-37-019 = CGCG 019-072 = CGCG 047-119 = PGC 52273

14 37 41.2 +02 17 28; Vir

V = 11.8;  Size 3.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 143°

 

13.1" (5/26/84): faint, very elongated NNW-SSE.  A very faint star is at the SSE end.  Located 3.3' ENE of mag 6.6 SAO 120569, which interferes with viewing!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5690 = H. II-582 = h1846 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and recorded "F, mE, about 2' long, 1/4' broad, r.  The stars and nebulosity together make a pretty appearance."  Caroline's reduced position is 2' south of UGC 9416."  John Herschel made three observations and noted "a vF ray 60" l; follows a *7m dist 5'."

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NGC 5691 = UGC 9420 = MCG +00-37-020 = CGCG 019-073 = LGG 386-007 = NGC 5632 = PGC 52291

14 37 53.4 -00 23 55; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, 1.2'x0.8', elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  Sharper light cut-off on the south side. 

 

8" (6/29/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, very small brighter core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5691 = H. II-681 = h1847 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727) and logged "pB, pL, iF."  John Herschel made a single observation, "pB; gradually brighter in the middle; lE." d'Arrest made three observations and measured an accurate position.  NGC 5632, discovered by George Bond at Harvard in 1853, is a duplicate observation.  See that number.

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NGC 5692 = UGC 9427 = MCG +01-37-039 = CGCG 047-123 = LGG 386-006 = PGC 52317

14 38 18.2 +03 24 35; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, high surface brightness, sharp edges, gradually increases to brighter center.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5692 = St. 13-77 on 5 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 3' too far south.  His accurate published position in list 13, #77 was made 13 years later on 13 May 1883 with description "pB, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle."

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NGC 5693 = UGC 9406 = MCG +08-27-006 = CGCG 248-011 = LGG 384-008 = PGC 52194

14 36 11.3 +48 35 07; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.4

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, fairly small, round, ~1.0' diameter.  Appears as a low surface brightness glow with only a weak central brightening.  A mag 13.5 star is at the south edge confusing the observation and a second mag 13 star lies 2' north.  Located 11.5' SE of NGC 5689 in a group.  NGC 5700 lies 8.7' ESE.

 

13.1" (5/27/84): faint, extended N-S, diffuse, low even surface brightness.  A faint mag 14.5 star is attached at the SSE edge.  Located ~15' SE of NGC 5689.

 

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S (possibly enhanced by faint star at south edge.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5693, along with NGC 5682 and 5683, on 13 Apr 1850.  He was observing the field of NGC 5689.  He labeled NGC 5693 "C" on a diagram, and placed a star at the south edge.

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NGC 5694 = ESO 512-10

14 39 36.4 -26 32 19; Hya

V = 10.0;  Size 4.2';  Surf Br = 0.3

 

17.5" (4/13/96): moderately bright but compact globular of 2' diameter with a round, symmetrical appearance.  Contains a 40" well defined core that increases to a nearly stellar nucleus.  There is no evident resolution in the halo.  Situated at the end of a string of brighter stars with two mag 11 stars close SSW.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): this is a small globular cluster with a very small bright core and a fainter outer halo.  Very mottled and grainy but no resolution.  A pair of mag 11 stars oriented N-S are off the SW side about 1.5' and 2.5' from the center.

 

8" (6/5/81): fairly faint, small, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5694 = H. II-196 = h3576 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223) and recorded "pB, S, r, nearly R and bM.  It forms an arch, or very bright obtuse triangle with two stars very near and preceding it.  The arch is concave to the northeast and the two stars with the nebula are all within 5'."  John Herschel called the cluster "vB; pL; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 1st class; 20"; r; several stars near."  His RA in the Cape Catalogue was 35 seconds too large.  Heinrich d'Arrest (who noticed the error) and Engelhardt measured accurate micrometric positions.

 

NGC 5694 was announced as a new globular cluster in the 1934 paper "Object NGC 5694 a Distant Globular Star Cluster" by Lampland and Clyde Tombaugh (1932AN....246..171L) at Lowell Observatory.  The classification was based on photographic plates taken with the 13" Lowell telescope and followed up with the 42-inch reflector.  The large reflector clearly showed this was a condensed globular cluster.

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NGC 5695 = UGC 9421 = MCG +06-32-077 = CGCG 192-049 = Mrk 686 = LGG 385-003 = PGC 52261

14 37 22.1 +36 34 04; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.8', evenly concentrated down to a very small bright core.  A mag 12 star is 2.8' W.  NGC 5684 lies 20' W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5695 = H. II-423 = h1851 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "pF, pS, irr, bM."  John Herschel made 3 observations and called it (sweep 69) "pB; S; bM."  This was last of 42 galaxies in the sweep that he discovered within a two and half hour period!!

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NGC 5696 = UGC 9415 = MCG +07-30-036 = CGCG 220-036 = PGC 52235

14 36 57.1 +41 49 41; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 45°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, broad concentration to a roundish core that increases gradually to the center. Outer dimensions increase with averted vision to ~1.4'x1.0'.  Forms a pair with NGC 5697 10' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5696 = H. II-648 = h1850 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "vF, vS, little brighter in the middle."  His RA was 6 seconds too large and Dec 4' too large.  Herschel also observed H. II-648, as well as H. II-675 = NGC 5697, on 9 April 1787 (sweep 725).  In this sweep, Herschel measured NGC 5696 36 seconds preceding and 10' south of NGC 5697. The actual offsets are closer to 25 sec of RA and 8.5' in dec. See Corwin's identifications notes on NGC 5696 and 5697.

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NGC 5697 = IC 4471 = UGC 9407 = MCG +07-30-031 = CGCG 220-033 = PGC 52207

14 36 32.0 +41 41 08; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  Follows a distinctive trapezoid of mag 10-12 stars (brighter stars form the longer 3' base).  Also a mag 14.5 star is 1.5' NW and a mag 15 star is close WSW [double on DSS].  Fainter of pair with NGC 5696 10' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5697 = H. II-675 = h1853 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "F, vS."  His position is 6' south of UGC 9407.  On the same sweep he reobserved II-648 = NGC 5696 and their relative separations are reasonably accurate.

 

On 6 May 1828 (sweep 151), John Herschel logged "vF, R, bM, follows an arc of 4 B stars."  The description is good, but his position (marked as very rough) is 30 sec of RA too large and 3.5' too far south.  Because of this error, the NGC RA is ~30 seconds too large, placing NGC 5697 south-southeast of NGC 5696 instead of southwest. Also as a result, Bigourdan thought his reobservation was a new object and NGC 5697 was catalogued again as IC 4471.

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NGC 5698 = UGC 9419 = MCG +07-30-038 = CGCG 220-037 = PGC 52251

14 37 14.7 +38 27 15; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 70°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, diffuse halo fades into background, broadly concentrated halo but fairly low surface brightness, no nucleus.  Several bright stars near including a mag 10 star 2.7' SSW, a mag 11 star 3.8' ENE and a mag 11.5 star 3.9' NE of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5698 = H. II-700 = h1852 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and noted "pF, S, iE."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel made 3 observations and logged (sweep 331) "F; pL; lE; 40" l; in a scalene triangle of stars 10..11m."

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NGC 5699 = NGC 5706 = MCG +05-35-002 = CGCG 164-004 = Holm 665b = PGC 52334

14 38 42.3 +30 27 59; Boo

 

See observing notes for NGC 5706

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5699 = H. III-127, along with NGC 5703, on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218).  He recorded them together as "Two, very small, extremely faint nebula about 3' from each other, and nearly in the same parallel.  240x confirmed them.  The second [NGC 5703] is vl brighter than the first, and is of an irregularly round figure."  His reduced position is 5' too far NW, but Caroline made an error in deriving the position. As a result, the GC and NGC positions are 1° too far south (Auwers' reduction is correct).

 

Édouard Stephan independently discovered this pair on 12 May 1883, assumed it was new, and his position in list XIII-78 is accurate.  Dreyer catalogued the galaxy as NGC 5706. So, NGC 5699 = NGC 5706. The same error was made for III-128 = NGC 5703 with the corrected position matching NGC 5709.

 

The SDSS redshift for this galaxy is z = .071. With a light-travel time of ~950 million years, it’s the most distant galaxy that Herschel discovered.  Although his 18.7" speculum mirror was probably equivalent to a modern 14.5" or 15", I found the galaxy pretty dim in my 18”, knowing the position in advance!

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NGC 5700 = UGC 9423 = MCG +08-27-007 = CGCG 248-013 = PGC 52237

14 37 01.7 +48 32 42; Boo

V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 38°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3'.  A very faint star is 30" SE of center.  Last in NGC 5689 group of 5.

 

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 5700 on 4 May 1877 during an observation of the NGC 5689 field.  With reference to NGC 5693 (nova "B"), he noted "9' f and 2' or 3' s of the nova there is a smaller & eF neb with 2 or 3 st in it & a *11m 4' sp."  This description points to NGC 5700 = UGC 9423, although his comment "2 or 3 st in it" is incorrect.

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NGC 5701 = UGC 9436 = MCG +01-37-042 = CGCG 047-127 = LGG 386-020 = PGC 52365

14 39 11.1 +05 21 47; Vir

V = 10.9;  Size 4.3'x4.1';  Surf Br = 13.8

 

17.5" (6/8/91): bright, moderately large, 2.2'x1.8', faint halo slightly elongated 5:4 NNW-SSE, small well-defined very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is just off the NE side 1.2' from center.  Located within a triangle of mag 10 stars 3.6' W, 3.6' NE and 6.3' S of center. 

 

8" (6/29/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, brighter core, within a triangle of three stars mag 9-10.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5701 = H. II-575 = h1854 on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557) and recorded "pB, mbM, cL, iR."  John Herschel made a total of 4 observations, calling the galaxy "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"."

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NGC 5702 = UGC 9434 = MCG +04-35-002 = CGCG 134-007 = PGC 52347

14 38 55.1 +20 30 25; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/20/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~NW-SE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Several mag 10-11 stars are in the 220x field to the west and SW.  A pair of galaxies, NGC 5710 and NGC 5711, lie ~30' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5702 = H. III-894 on 20 Apr 1792 (sweep 1021) and recorded "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 10 sec of RA west of UGC 9434.

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NGC 5703 = NGC 5709 = UGC 9435 = MCG +05-35-003 = CGCG 164-006 = Holm 665a = LGG 383-012 = PGC 52343

14 38 50.0 +30 26 34; Boo

 

See observing notes for NGC 5709.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5703 = H. III-128 on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "Two [along with III-127 = NGC 5699], vS, eF nebula about 3' from each other, and nearly in the same parallel.  240 confirmed them.  The second [NGC 5703] is very little brighter than the first, and is of an iR figure."  The GC and NGC position is 1° too far south and once corrected, NGC 5703 = NGC 5699 = UGC 9435.  See notes on NGC 5699.

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NGC 5704 = NGC 5708 = UGC 9430 = MCG +07-30-044 = CGCG 220-042 = PGC 52315

14 38 16.3 +40 27 24; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 177°

 

See observing notes for NGC 5708.

 

John Herschel found NGC 5704 = h1855 on 12 May 1828 and recorded "F, S, r."  He assumed this was a reobservation of his father's H. II-649 = UGC 9430, but his position was 5' northwest of the galaxy and corresponds (perhaps coincidentally) with a mag 14 star.  He also recorded the galaxy as h1859 (later NGC 5711), but assumed it was nova.  A second observation listed under h1855 matches UGC 9430, so NGC 5704 is perhaps a star (from the first observation) or a duplicate of NGC 5708 (from the second observation).

 

JH used the position from the first observation in the GC, so the NGC position for NGC 5704 is 5' off from the galaxy.  As a result, Karl Reinmuth and Dorothy Carlson reported NGC 5704 as nonexistent and modern catalogues identify the galaxy as NGC 5708.

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NGC 5705 = UGC 9447 = MCG +00-37-021 = CGCG 019-076 = LGG 386-008 = PGC 52395

14 39 49.6 -00 43 08; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 2.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 75°

 

17.5" (6/8/91): extremely faint, fairly large, extremely low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Appears as an ill-defined haze elongated WSW-ENE with no definite edge.  NGC 5713 lies 27' NNW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5705 = St. 13-80 on 5 May 1870 and described it as "extremely faint, large, oval.".  His accurate published position in list 13, #80 was made 14 years later on 17 May 1884.

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NGC 5706 = NGC 5699 = MCG +05-35-002 = CGCG 164-004 = Holm 665b = PGC 52334

14 38 42.3 +30 27 59; Boo

V = 14.8;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0

 

24" (6/29/16): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, moderately high surface brightness, visible continuously.  Located 2.2' NW of NGC 5709.

 

18" (7/2/11): extremely faint to very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 5709 2.2' SE.  UGC 9425 lies 11' W.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 15" diameter.  Can just hold continuously with averted.  Forms a pair with NGC 5709 2.1' SE.

 

Édouard Stephan found NGC 5706 = St. 13-78, along with NGC 5709, on 4 May 1870.  His single, unpublished position was 6' S of NGC 5709, though he noted the two galaxies were 8 seconds of time apart.  His accurately measured position was made on 12 May 1883 and published in his last discovery list (#78).

 

William Herschel made the original discovery on 16 May 1784 and catalogued this galaxy as H. III-127 (later NGC 5699), but the GC and NGC position was 1° too far south (clerical error).  As a result, Stephan thought it was new.  Based on historical precedence NGC 5699 should be the primary designation, but this galaxy is primarily known as NGC 5706 because of Stephan's unambiguous position.

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NGC 5707 = UGC 9428 = MCG +09-24-023 = CGCG 273-015 = PGC 52266

14 37 31.0 +51 33 42; Boo

V = 12.5;  Size 2.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): moderately bright, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x0.3', very bright compact round core, faint very thin extensions.  A mag 14.5-15 star is off the SW tip 1.8' from center.  Located 4.5' WSW of mag 7.4 SAO 29224 (very close double star STF 1863).

 

Forms a double system with MCG +09-24-024 = PGC 52269 just beyond the NNE end, 1.5' from the center. The companion appeared extremely faint and small, round, just non-stellar.  NGC 5707 has a redshift-based distance of ~100 million l.y., while MCG +09-24-024 resides at 600 million l.y., so they are not physically related.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5707 = Sw. 1-36 in 1878 with his 4.5-inch comet seeker and found it again 7 years later on 22 Jun 1885 with his 16" Clark refractor.  He recorded "B; pS; R; precedes DM +52°1816 31 sec [of time].  Found in presence of a half moon.  First found 7 years ago with 4 1/2-inch Comet seeker and recorded as can find no record of it."  His RA was 5 seconds too small.  Herbert Howe commented that this "nebula" had two extremely faint and opposite extensions.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1893 (published in 1907).

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NGC 5708 = NGC 5704: = UGC 9430 = MCG +07-30-044 = CGCG 220-042 = PGC 52315

14 38 16.3 +40 27 24; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 177°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.2'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is attached at the south tip [38" from center] and a mag 14 star lies 2' NE.  UGC 9429 lies 21' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5708 = H. II-649 = h1859 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and recorded "F, E, S, r."  On 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) he called it "vF, S, E nearly in the meridian [N-S], r."

 

On 12 May 1828, John Herschel recorded h1855, which he assumed was H. II-649 and noted "F; S; R."  The only object near his position, though, is a mag 14 star 5' northwest of the galaxy.  He used this position in the GC and Dreyer copied it for the position of NGC 5704, so William's number was associated with the wrong object (perhaps a star).  The same night John Herschel logged h1859 = NGC 5708, and mistook it as a new discovery.

 

Reinmuth and Carlson reported NGC 5704 as nonexistent because of JH's misidentification and modern catalogues identify the galaxy as NGC 5708.  But clearly, NGC 5704 = NGC 5708. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 5709 = NGC 5703 = UGC 9435 = MCG +05-35-003 = CGCG 164-006 = PGC 52343

14 38 50.0 +30 26 34; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

 

24" (6/29/16): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, ~1.2'x0.4', modest concentration with a large brighter core region.  Brighter and larger of a pair with NGC 5706 2.2' NW.

 

Arp 241, located 13' WNW, is a close encounter of two spiral galaxies with the interaction resulting in pair of opposing tidal tails forming a "sprinkler" appearance.  The two nuclei are separated by only 16" and were resolved at 375x.  The brighter and larger southeast component (VV 264a) appeared fairly faint, small, round, ~15" diameter, stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.  The northwest component (VV 264b) is faint, very small, round, ~10" diameter, with a very small brighter nucleus.

 

18" (7/2/11): faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.3', very weak concentration.  Close pair with smaller and fainter NGC 5706 2.2' NW.  UGC 9245 lies 13' WNW.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.3', low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5706 2.1' NW.

 

Édouard Stephan found NGC 5709 = St. 13-79, along with NGC 5706, on 4 May 1870.  His single, unpublished position was 6' S of NGC 5709, though he noted the two galaxies were 8 seconds of time apart.  His accurately measured position was made on 12 May 1883 and published in his 13th and last discovery list (#79).

 

William Herschel made the original discovery on 16 May 1784 and catalogued this galaxy as H. III-128 (later NGC 5703), but the GC and NGC position was 1° too far south (clerical error).  As a result, Stephan thought it was new.  So, NGC 5703 = NGC 5709.  Based on historical precedence NGC 5703 should be the primary designation, but this galaxy is primarily known as NGC 5709 because of Stephan's unambiguous position.

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NGC 5710 = UGC 9440 = MCG +03-37-032 = CGCG 104-060 = PGC 52369

14 39 16.2 +20 02 36; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (6/20/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, brighter core.  A close double star lies 2.5' SSE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5711 3.5' SSE (past the close double).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5710 = H. III-895 = h1856 on 20 Apr 1792 (sweep 1021) and logged "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is just 5 sec of RA west of UGC 9440.  John Herschel made the single observation "eF; S; very gradually brighter middle; the p of 2 [with NGC 5711], close to a double star [HJ 2737]."

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NGC 5711 = UGC 9445 = MCG +03-37-033 = CGCG 104-062 = PGC 52376

14 39 22.6 +19 59 26; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 73°

 

17.5" (6/20/01): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE.  A close double star lies 1' NW.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 5710 3.5' NNW with the double star between the two galaxies.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5711 = h1858 on 17 Mar 1831 and recorded "eF; vS; the following of 2 [with NGC 5710], close to a double star [HJ 2737]."

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NGC 5712 = MCG +13-10-021 = CGCG 354-005 = VII Zw 553 =  WBL 513-003 = PGC 51799

14 29 41.6 +78 51 51; UMi

V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.7'

 

17.5" (6/24/95): extremely faint and small, round, 10-15" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with IC 4470 4.0' WNW.  IC 4470 appeared very faint, very small, round.  There is a mag 14.5 star just off the NE side 21" from center which confused the observation.  At moments, the compact core of the galaxy and the star appeared to form a faint double star.  I missed the faint extensions (arm) E-W on the POSS.  Forms a pair with NGC 5712 4.0' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5712 = H. III-950 on 20 Dec 1797 (northern sweep 1074 under the pole). He recorded "very faint, small, resolvable.  It is preceded by a small patch of stars which appears almost like this nebula, but more resolved."  Caroline's position is 2.5' S and 25 seconds of RA east of MCG +13-10-021.  MCG doesn't identify this galaxy as NGC 5712.

 

The "small patch of stars which appears almost like this nebula" in Herschel's description applies to IC 4470, situated 4' WNW.  IC 4470 which was found again by Bigourdan on 11 Jul 1887.  Interestingly, Bigourdan also calls it a star cluster: "Object which, at first sight, could be nebulous, but in which I suspect several stellar points.  It is therefore a cluster enveloped in nebulosity; it is vaguely elongated at 90 degrees and is 1' l and 40" wide."  Corwin and Steinicke both agree that Herschel should be credited with the discovery of IC 4470, although it did not receive a NGC designation.

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NGC 5713 = UGC 9451 = MCG +00-37-022 = CGCG 019-077 = VIII Zw 447 = LGG 386-009 = NGC 5651 = PGC 52412

14 40 11.5 -00 17 27; Vir

V = 11.2;  Size 2.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W, broad concentration, asymmetric appearance.  The brightest portion of the core seems offset to the west.  The halo appears irregular and weaker on the south side.  Forms a pair with NGC 5719 11' ESE.  On the POSS, a single spiral arm winds from SW to NE but is absent on the south side.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5713 = H. I-182 = h1857 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727) and noted "cB, pL, iR."  John Herschel made the single description, "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; 20"." d'Arrest measured NGC 5713 on 6 nights.  Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 13 Apr 1852, wrote "[NGC 5713] is gradually brighter in the middle, a faint indication of spirality??"

 

NGC 5651, discovered by George Bond at Harvard in 1853, is a duplicate observation.  See that number.

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NGC 5714 = UGC 9431 = MCG +08-27-011 = CGCG 248-014 = FGC 1785 = PGC 52307

14 38 11.7 +46 38 16; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 3.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 82°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, edge-on streak oriented WSW-ENE.  The tips of the extensions dissolve gradually into the background.  Located 1' S of an unequal pair of mag 11/13 stars at 40" separation.  NGC 5714 is the first (furthest west) and brightest of group of 6 faint galaxies, of which 5 were viewed.  Next in the group is NGC 5717, 4.7' ENE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5714 = H. III-675 = h1861 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734).  He recorded "very faint, irregular figure, pretty small, south preceding two small unequal stars."  It's surprising to me that he didn't note a clear elongation, suggesting it was just seen as a dim glow, or perhaps just the central region was noticed.

 

On 26 Apr 1830, John Herschel recorded "very faint; extended; 40" l; south of a coarse double star; the preceding of 2 [should be 3, with NGC 5717 and 5722]."  Sir John mistakenly though it was a new discovery and applied his father's III-675 to h1864 = NGC 5717.

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NGC 5715 = Cr 286 = ESO 176-002

14 43 30 -57 34 36; Cir

V = 9.8;  Size 7'

 

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this cluster appears to extend 7' to 8' in diameter but the eye-catching portion is a small, distinctive group of similar mag stars on the west side, forming an striking oval ring or loop.  Within this 2.5' curving chain are roughly two dozen, mostly mag 12.5-13.5 stars and the interior of the loop is nearly devoid of stars.  A mag 10.7 star is a couple of arcminutes east.  Roughly 50 additional stars are in the surrounding portion of cluster, for a total of ~75 stars.  A mag 9.3 star (HD 129144) is 5' S.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5715 = D 333 = h3577 on 8 May 1826.  His summary description (2nd observation on 4 Jun) reads "a group of small stars with faint nebula. There is rather a gathering of the nebulous matter, about 10" diameter, near the north side."  In his first observation he estimated the diameter as 5' and noted it was not round.

 

John Herschel observed this cluster on 9 Jul 1834 (sweep 469) and logged, "cluster VII. Pretty rich, stars 11..13th mag, irregular, scattered,10' diameter, rather more comp M."  Herschel credited Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 5716 = MCG -03-37-004 = PGC 52458

14 41 05.5 -17 28 35; Lib

V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 80°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, low even surface brightness.  Two mag 12/13 stars are at the NE edge both 1.0' from center.  Located 23' SW of NGC 5716.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5716 = H. III-671 = h1860 on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) and logged "cF, S, R, joining two small stars."

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NGC 5717 = MCG +08-27-012 = CGCG 248-015 = PGC 52332

14 38 37.6 +46 39 47; Boo

V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak even concentration to center.  Nearly collinear with the mag 11/13 pair 4' W.  NGC 5714 is 4.7' WSW and the NGC 5722 (part of a quadruple group) is 2.9' E.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5717 = h1864 on 26 Apr 1830 and recorded "Not eF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"; the second of 3 [with NGC 5714 and 5722]."  The next night he also logged "The second of 3 in a line (two R; one mE), south of a double star."  Herschel incorrectly equated his discovery with his father's H. III-675, which applies to NGC 5714 (the edge-on).

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NGC 5718 = Arp 171 NED2 = UGC 9459 = CGCG 047-137 = MCG +01-37-047 = WBL 518-005 = PGC 52441

14 40 42.9 +03 27 55; Vir

V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

 

24" (6/18/12): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2  or 4:3 E-W, ~35"x25", large bright core, brighter along the major axis.  Forms a double system (Arp 171) with IC 1042 ("fairly faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration"), just 1.0' WNW.  A mag 10.7 star is 1.2' NE and detracts a bit.  NGC 5718 is the brightest member in the poor group MKW 8 and over 20 members were tracked down within 30' of NGC 5718. 

 

17.5" (6/8/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, weak concentration.  Located 1.3' SW of a mag 10 star that detracts from viewing.  A number of mag 13-14 stars are within 3'.  Forms a close contact pair (Arp 171) with IC 1042 off the west edge.  IC 1042 is very faint, very small, low even surface brightness.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5718 = H. III-550 = h1862 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and recorded "vF, S, preceding and in a line with 2 B stars."  His position was 2' too far south and the two stars mentioned in Herschel's description are collinear with the brighter eastern component UGC 9459.  Neither Herschel noticed IC 1042 close west, which was first found by Édouard Stephan.

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NGC 5719 = UGC 9462 = MCG +00-37-024 = CGCG 019-079 = LGG 386-010 = NGC 5658 = PGC 52455

14 40 56.6 -00 19 05; Vir

V = 12.2;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 107°

 

48" (5/4/16): bright, large, edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 3.2'x0.8', well concentrated with a large, very bright elongated core.  A slightly curved, sharply defined dust lane extends along the south side of the core region and into the halo.  A very faint strip of the halo is visible beyond the dust lane.  Forms a disrupted pair with NGC 5713 11' WNW.

 

On images, the prominent dust lane is clearly warped and studies reveal a counter-rotating stellar disc accreted from a previous interaction with NGC 5713.

 

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, elongated bright core, thin extensions.  Located 2' S of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 5713 11' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5719 = H. II-682 = h1863 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727) and noted "pB, cS."  His position is 1' too far north.  John Herschel made a single observation "pB; S; lE; bM." Heinrich d'Arrest measured the position of 6 nights referencing the mag 10 star just under 2' north.  NGC 5658, discovered by George Bond at Harvard in 1853, is a duplicate observation.  See that number.

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NGC 5720 = UGC 9439 = MCG +09-24-025 = CGCG 273-017 = PGC 52328

14 38 33.4 +50 48 54; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 2.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', weakly concentrated.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5720 = Sw. 9-40 on 24 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; bet 2 stars."  The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer (given as list VI in the NGC), but the position in his 9th list (published in 1890) is just off the north edge of UGC 9439.

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NGC 5721 = MCG +08-27-013 = CGCG 248-016nw = PGC 52346

14 38 52.9 +46 40 28; Boo

V = 15.8;  Size 0.3'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

17.5" (6/27/98): this close companion to NGC 5722 required averted vision and concentration to momentarily glimpse a virtually stellar object <10" diameter, just 35" NNW of NGC 5722.  This borderline detection was repeated several times knowing precise location.

 

R.J. Mitchell and George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistants, discovered NGC 5721 and 5723 on 16 Apr 1855 during an observation of the NGC 5714 group.  A diagram is accurate enough to clearly establish the identifications of NGC 5721 = MCG +08-27-013, NGC 5722 = MCG +08-27-014, NGC 5723 = MCG +08-27-015 and 5724 = mag 17 star.

 

RNGC misidentifies NGC 5721 as NGC 5722.  The CGCG misidentifies the close pair as NGC 5721 + NGC 5723, instead of NGC 5721 + NGC 5722.  Finally the MCG misplaces MCG +08-27-013 (the furthest west of the quartet)  2' south of NGC 5722, instead of 30" north.  This error is carried forward into PGC.

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NGC 5722 = MCG +08-27-014 = CGCG 248-016se = PGC 52355

14 38 54.3 +46 39 56; Boo

V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

 

17.5" (6/27/98): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter.  Collinear with NGC 5717 2.9' W and the mag 11/13 pair 6.5' W.  A nice pair of mag 12.5 stars [26" separation] located 5' N is perfectly on line with this galaxy.  Brightest in a tight grouping with NGC 5721 just 35" NNW and NGC 5723 1.5' NNE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5722 = h1865 on 26 Apr 1830 and recorded "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"; the third of 3 in a line".  His position is 2.8' north of MCG +08-27-014.  This galaxy has two fainter companions (NGC 5721 and NGC 5723), which were discovered and sketch at Birr Castle on 16 April 1855.

 

RNGC misidentifies NGC 5722 as NGC 5723.  Also the MCG dec is 1' too far north, which places it north of NGC 5721, instead of south.  See Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5723 = MCG +08-27-015 = PGC 52354

14 38 57.9 +46 41 22; Boo

V = 15.5;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): this galaxy is the last of five viewed in the NGC 5721 group and part of small quartet (3 seen).  Like NGC 5721, this marginal object required concentration and averted vision to momentarily glimpse a 16th magnitude stellar object (only core viewed) 1.5' NNE of NGC 5722.  17th magnitude NGC 5724 just 43" NE was not visible.

 

R.J. Mitchell and George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistants, discovered NGC 5723 and 5721 on 16 Apr 1855 while observing the NGC 5714 group.  A sketch shows a small quartet to the northeast of NGC 5717 and NGC 5723 matches MCG +08-27-015 = PGC 52354, though the last object (NGC 5724) is a single star.

 

The RNGC entry for NGC 5723 applies to NGC 5721. The MCG entry for NGC 5723 is possibly correct (the coordinates are imprecise) though it may erroneously refer to PGC 2286446, which lies northeast of the quartet.  CGCG errs in calling the close pair NGC 5721 + NGC 5723 instead of NGC 5721 + NGC 5722.

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NGC 5724 = MCG +08-27-016 = PGC 52360

14 39 02.1 +46 41 32; Boo

V = 17.0

 

= *, Gottlieb and Corwin

 

R.J. Mitchell and George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistants, discovered NGC 5724 on 16 Apr 1855.  Based on the sketch published in the 1880 monograph (showing (NGC 5714, 5717, 5721, 5722, 5723 and 5724), Harold Corwin identifies this number with MCG +08-27-016, an extremely compact galaxy or star.  The RNGC misidentifies 2MASX J14390847+4644487 as NGC 5724.  This galaxy is located about 4' NE of the trapezium formed by NGC 5721, NGC 5722, NGC 5723 and NGC 5724.

 

In an email exchange with Corwin, I suggested that NGC 5724 is actually a star based on its completely stellar appearance and SDSS classification.  Corwin concurs and the type has now been changed to a star in NED.  At B = 17.4, Corwin notes this is certainly one of the faintest NGC objects.

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NGC 5725 = UGC 9466 = MCG +00-37-025 = CGCG 019-080 = LGG 386-003 = PGC 52456

14 40 58.3 +02 11 10; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (4/13/91): very faint, small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5725 on 27 Apr 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on two nights) matches UGC 9466.

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NGC 5726 = ESO 580-012 = MCG -03-37-006 = PGC 52563

14 42 56.0 -18 26 42; Lib

V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, contains a fairly high surface brightness 25" core with a fainter halo.  Located 7' SE of mag 9.2 HD 129378 in a fairly rich star field.  ESO 580-014 lies 14' E.  Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5726 = LM 1-205 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.8, 0.3' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *10.5, np 2.7'."  His approximate position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min of time west of ESO 580-012.  Stone later measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC I notes).  RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent. The correct identification is given in ESO-LV and RC3.  MCG fails to label -03-37-006 as NGC 5726.

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NGC 5727 = UGC 9465 = MCG +06-32-083 = CGCG 192-052 = PGC 52424

14 40 26.3 +33 59 20; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): extremely faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE although edges difficult to determine, 2.0'x1.0', very low even surface brightness.  A striking pair of fairly bright wide double stars is 5' SSE consisting of a mag 10/11 duo at 16" and a mag 9/11.5 pair at 30".  The two pairs are separated by 1.5'.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5727 = St. 12-66 on 26 Apr 1870 with another observation on 26 May 1875.  His rough, unpublished positions were off by ~3' to the E and NE.  His published accurate position was made 13 years later on 12 Jun 1882 with description "extremely faint, fairly large, round, diffuse, very little central condensation."

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NGC 5728 = MCG -03-37-005 = PGC 52521

14 42 24.0 -17 15 10; Lib

V = 11.3;  Size 3.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE.  Contains a bright core and possible stellar nucleus.  A faint mag 14.5 star is at the southern tip 1.2' from center.  An extremely faint 15th magnitude star is suspected just north of the core 0.4' from center.  NGC 5716 lies 23' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5728 = H. I-184 = h1866 on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) and recorded "cB, pL, E from sp to nf, mbM."  His position is accurate.  On his first observation, John Herschel called this object "pB; mE; bM, almost to nucleus; has a * 10m 90° south."  On a second sweep, he logged "F; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 20" has a * 15 nf; certainly not of first and hardly of second class.  Sky perfectly clear."

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NGC 5729 = MCG -01-37-012 = PGC 52507

14 42 06.8 -09 00 30; Lib

V = 12.6;  Size 2.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 166°

 

17.5" (6/20/01): moderately bright, very elongated 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.6'x0.4'.  A mag 14.5 star is at the east edge [close double].  MCG -01-37-011 lies 18' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5729 = H. III-508 = h3578 on 4 Feb 1786 (sweep 522) and recorded "vF, cL, irregularly elongated nearly in the meridian.  His position is off the south side of MCG -01-37-012 = PGC 52507.

 

John Herschel observed this galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope, "F; pL; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; with an appearance of resolvability, arising as I imagine from a few small stars accidentally on it, I hardly think it can be reckoned a cluster in the sense of class VI.  Re-examined working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue].  It is III. 508.  VI. 8 does not exist in the space assigned to it in the catalogue."

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NGC 5730 = UGC 9456 = MCG +07-30-046 = CGCG 220-044 = Holm 667a = PGC 52396

14 39 52.0 +42 44 33; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 88°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): larger of a faint pair of edge-on galaxies with NGC 5731 3.9' NE.  Faint, fairly large, elongated 5:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.3', weak central brightening.  A mag 11 star lies 3.0' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5730 = H. III-657 = h1867, along with NGC 5731, on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "Two, both vF, vS, E, but in different directions. The preceding [NGC 5730] is the brightest; about 2 or 3' distance, nearly in the parallel [E-W].  Each situated south of a small star."  John Herschel made the single observation "eF; pL; E; seen only with great attention.  Place estimated from III. 658 [NGC 5731].  His estimated declination is 1.5' north of NGC 5731, but he reversed the direction, which should be 2' south of NGC 5731.  This error was carried forward to the GC and NGC

 

The identifications of these galaxies are reversed in the RNGC and CGCG due to this mix-up, although UGC, MCG and PGC have the correct identifications.  See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5731 = UGC 9460 = MCG +07-30-047 = CGCG 220-045 = Holm 667b = PGC 52409

14 40 09.3 +42 46 46; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 116°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, moderately large, very elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.25', weakly concentrated.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' NW of center.  Forms a close pair of edge-ons with NGC 5730 3' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5731 = H. III-658 = h1867, along with NGC 5730, on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "Two, both vF, vS, E, but in different directions. The preceding [NGC 5730] is the brightest; about 2 or 3' distance, nearly in the parallel [E-W].  Each situated south of a small star."

 

See notes for NGC 5730 for identification errors.  IC 1045 is not equal to NGC 5731.  See that number.

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NGC 5732 = UGC 9467 = MCG +07-30-048 = CGCG 220-046 = PGC 52438

14 40 39.0 +38 38 16; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

 

24" (6/15/15): at 260x; moderately bright, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', fairly weak concentration.  Using 375x the galaxy has a mottled, irregular appearance and fainter outer portions of the halo sometimes become more evident.

 

UGC 9473, which lies 17' NE, appeared moderately to fairly bright, roundish, 0.8' diameter, gradually brightens to the center but no distinct zones at 260x.  A mag 10 star lies 6.5' SW and NGC 5732 is 17' SW.   

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak broad concentration with no visible core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5732 = H. III-686 = h1869 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "eF, cS, little brighter in the middle."  The next object in his sweep was described as "a small patch, very faint" and not assigned an internal discovery number. But the time was noted as 1 min 6 sec after NGC 5732, and 13' north. Close to this offset is UGC 9473, which is another pre-NGC discovery by Herschel.  John Herschel made two observations of NGC 5732 and logged "vF; S; R; bM."

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NGC 5733 = MCG +00-38-001 = CGCG 020-002 = PGC 52550

14 42 45.8 -00 21 05; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 32°

 

17.5" (4/13/91): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 13 stars 1.7' WNW and 1.6' ENE of center.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5733 = m 283 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, S, mE".  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5734 = ESO 580-016 = MCG -03-38-003 = PGC 52678

14 45 09.1 -20 52 14; Lib

V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 38°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.4'.  A mag 13 is just off the NE tip, 30" from center, and detracts from viewing.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5743 2.6' S.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5734 = LM 1-206, along with NGC 5743, on 3 Jun 1885 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "vF; S; lE; gradually little brighter middle."  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA), but 1 min of RA east is ESO 580-016.  Herbert Howe's corrected position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) is accurate and he noted that NGC 5734 and 5743 have the same RA, not 1 minute apart, per Leavenworth.  According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this is the first galaxy discovered at the LM Observatory.

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NGC 5735 = UGC 9481 = MCG +05-35-007 = CGCG 164-013 = PGC 52535

14 42 33.4 +28 43 34; Boo

V = 12.3;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.5'x1.1'.  A mag 11 star is 4.2' WSW.  In the field 7' NE is a pretty double star with components mag 11/12 at 19" separation.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5735 = H. III-133 = h1870 on 17 May 1784 (sweep 219) and recorded "eF, cL, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel recorded a single observation: "vF; L; R."

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NGC 5736 = MCG +02-38-001 = CGCG 076-007 = KTG 58A = PGC 52597

14 43 30.8 +11 12 10; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  PA = 108°

 

24" (5/11/13): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 45"x30", small bright core.  Forms a pair with CGCG 76-9 2.7' NE.  The companion appeared very faint and small, slightly elongated, low surface brightness, 20"x15".

 

17.5" (6/20/01): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.9'x0.7'.  Contains a 10" brighter core.  Collinear with a pair of mag 13.5/14 stars 4' NE.  A 2.4' pair of mag 10 and 11 stars are located 11' NNE and 8' N, respectively.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5736 = Sw. 6-68 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeF; S; lE; v diff."  His position in list VI is 4.5' west-northwest of CGCG 076-007 = PGC 52597, although Corwin notes the NGC position, which was communicated directly to Dreyer by Swift, is accurate.

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NGC 5737 = UGC 9488 = MCG +03-37-039 = CGCG 105-007 = PGC 52582

14 43 11.8 +18 52 48; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 170°

 

18" (7/10/10): faint to fairly faint, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.9'x0.6', slightly brighter core, very faint stellar nucleus.  Situated 4.5' S of a mag 10 star and 4.6' WNW of a mag 9..8 star, forming the vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with the two similar stars.  IC 1051 lies 16' NE.

 

17.5" (7/16/01): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.1'x0.8', weak concentration, irregular surface brightness.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10 stars 4' N and 4' E.  Viewed low in the west with decreased transparency.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5737 = H. III-896 = h1871 on 20 Apr 1792 (sweep 1021) and recorded "eF, S, very little brighter middle."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; pS; R; gradually little brighter middle" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5738 = MCG +00-38-002 = CGCG 020-004 = PGC 52614

14 43 56.4 +01 36 15; Vir

V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 64°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.3'.  Two stars mag 14-15 are close following including a mag 14.5 star 1.3' ESE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5740 8.3' NE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5738 = m 284 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, bM."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5739 = IC 1028 = UGC 9486 = MCG +07-30-052 = CGCG 220-049 = PGC 52531

14 42 28.9 +41 50 32; Boo

V = 12.1;  Size 2.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/27/98): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', well concentrated with a small bright core.  A mag 14 star is just off the northeast end 0.8' from center and three additional nearby mag 14-15 stars form a parallelogram with this star.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, round, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5739 = H. I-171 = h1873 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "pB, R, S, little brighter middle, r."  His position was 3' too far north and 9 seconds of RA too small.  Less than a month later on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725), he logged "cB, S, mbM, r."  John Herschel noted that several faint stars were near and measured a good position.

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NGC 5740 = UGC 9493 = MCG +00-38-003 = CGCG 020-008 = LGG 386-004 = PGC 52641

14 44 24.5 +01 40 47; Vir

V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.8', bright core, almost stellar nucleus, faint extensions.  A mag 15 star is 1.5' WNW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5738 8.2' SW and NGC 5746 lies 18' NNE.  Located 31' WSW of 109 Virginis.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5740 = H. II-538 = h1872 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "pB, cL, iR."  John Herschel made the single observation "L; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; r."  R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 10 May 1855, reported "pB, R, Nucl surrounded by faint nebulosity, which has a prolongation [arm] to np; between nucleus and tail the neby is fainter [dust]."

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NGC 5741 = MCG -02-38-008 = PGC 52718

14 45 51.7 -11 54 51; Lib

V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

17.5": faint/fairly faint, small, round, crisp-edged, 40" diameter, relatively high surface brightness.  A mag 14.5-15 "star" 40" S of center appears to be a compact galaxy on the DSS and is catalogued in NED as LCRS B144308.4-114255.  Forms a pair with NGC 5742 7.3' NW.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5741 = LM 1-207, along with NGC 5742, on 12 Jun 1885 and recorded "mag 14.0, vS, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min west of MCG -02-38-008.  Ormond Stone later measured a more accurate RA at the LM observatory, but his position is 0.2 min of RA too small.

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NGC 5742 = MCG -02-38-007 = PGC 52707

14 45 37.0 -11 48 34; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 73°

 

48" (5/9/18): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 or 5:2 WSW-ENE, ~1.0'x0.4'.  Strong concentration with a prominent core and a bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 16.8 star is off the south edge.  A pair of galaxies, LEDA 961733 (slightly brighter) and LEDA 961698 is 2' NW.  Both are very faint, small, round, 12" diameter and separated by 28" WNW-ESE.  A mag 15.3 star close WNW is collinear with the pair.

 

17.5": fairly faint/moderately bright, round, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.8', bright core.  A mag 14 star lies 1.3' SSW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5741 7.3' SE.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5742 = LM 1-208, along with NGC 5741, on 12 Jun 1885 and recorded "mag 12.0, pS, pmE, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, envelope mag 15.0."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) was 40 seconds of RA too small.  Ormond Stone's corrected position, repeated in the IC 1 notes, is accurate.

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NGC 5743 = ESO 580-017 = MCG -03-38-004 = PGC 52680

14 45 10.9 -20 54 48; Lib

V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 95°

 

18" (5/29/05): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated nearly 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', broad concentration.  Larger and brighter of a close pair with NGC 5734 2.6' N.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5743 = LM 1-209, along with NGC 5734, on 3 Jun 1885 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He recorded "F; S; vE; suddenly much brighter middle to a nucleus."  His position (nearest min of RA) is just 2' north of ESO 580-017, though the RA of nearby NGC 5734 is 1 minute too small.  Herbert Howe's corrected position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) is accurate.

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NGC 5744 = ESO 580-023 = MCG -03-38-007 = PGC 52761

14 46 38.6 -18 30 48; Lib

V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 108°

 

18" (5/29/05): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  No details were visible in this small galaxy.  A striking 1.3' string of 3 stars lies 10' E with mag 9.3 HD 130194 at the north end.  NGC 5744 is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

 

The NGC identification is uncertain and may apply to this galaxy or ESO 580-014 = MCG -03-38-001.  ESO 580-014 appeared very low surface brightness, moderately large.  Appears as a 1' very hazy glow with no core.  Picked up while viewing NGC 5726 14' WNW.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5744 = LM 1-210 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, neb?"  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.5 min of RA east of ESO 580-014 but also 1.4 min of RA west of ESO 580-023, so either galaxy is a candidate.  But his description is a better fit with ESO 580-023, based on my visual observation.  ESGC identifies ESO 580-023 as NGC 5744.

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NGC 5745 = MCG -02-38-004 = VV 98b = PGC 52669

14 45 01.8 -13 56 50; Lib

V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 65°

 

17.5": fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W.  Weak concentration to a small, brighter core.  A mag 14 star lies 1.6' SW of center.  Situated near the midpoint of mag 9.3 SAO 158769 7' NW and mag 10 SAO 158779 10' SE and 1 degree WNW of mag 5.3 Mu Librae.  This galaxy is an unusual dust lane elliptical, though this structure was not seen.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5745 = h3579 on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; E; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20"."  His single observation is an exact match with MCG -02-38-004.

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NGC 5746 = UGC 9499 = MCG +00-38-005 = CGCG 020-012 = LGG 386-005 = PGC 52665

14 44 55.8 +01 57 19; Vir

V = 10.3;  Size 7.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 170°

 

48" (4/19/17): at 375x; gorgeous edge-on stretching 7' NNW-SSE, It bulges nearly 1' in the core, though is much thinner towards the tips.  Contains an intensely bright, elongated core with a rounder nucleus.  The galaxy is sliced asymmetrically by a razor sharp, straight dust lane that splits the galaxy to the east of center, with the main part of the galaxy is west of the dust lane.  The portion of the disc E of the lane is much fainter but shows up well with averted as a thin strip, mostly seen in the central section E of the core.  A bright mag 14 star is embedded on the S side, 2' from the center.

 

A mag 15.1 star is near the NNW end, off the east side and a mag 16 star is just west of the very NNE tip.  Finally a mag 16+ star is superimposed just north of the core along the western flank ~0.6' from center.  The galaxy is located 20' WNW of 109 Vir (V = 3.7) and mag 8.5 HD 129827 is 5' NW.

 

A small trio of galaxies was picked up at 17' to the W, consisting of LEDA 1210436 (V = 15.1), LEDA 1210907 (V = 17.1) and LEDA 1210022 (fits in a 2' circle). These were observed at 697x and their light-travel time is just over 1 billion years.

 

18" (6/17/06): superb edge-on 7:1 N-S, ~6'x0.8', broadly concentrated to a 2'x0.7' elongated, bulging core.  The core is mottled and clumpy due to a dust lane that appears to pass along the east edge of the core.  The southern extension passes through a star and is slightly brighter and possibly longer, though the northern extension does extend as far with careful viewing (slightly lower surface brightness).

 

17.5" (2/28/87): beautiful edge-on ~N-S, bright, fairly large, 4.5'x0.7', small bright core.  A mag 15 star is at the south end 2' from the center.  A dust lane is evident as a sharp light cut-off along the eastern edge.  Located 5' SSE of mag 8.2 SAO 120633 and 20' WNW of 109 Virginis (V = 3.7).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5746 = H. I-126 = h1874 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532). He recorded "extremely bright, much extended in the parallel [should be in the meridian], bright nucleus, 8 or 9' long."  John Herschel made a single observation: "a long pB ray with a pB nucleus; 3' long."

 

Lord Rosse made an early observation with the 72" on 25 Apr 1848.  As the Birr Castle observer on 3 Apr 1875, Dreyer reported "there seems to be a split in the nebulosity following the nucleus."  This clearly refers to the dust lane.

 

The RNGC declination is 10' too far south.

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NGC 5747 = IC 4493 = UGC 9496 = MCG +02-38-002 = CGCG 076-013 = PGC 52638

14 44 20.7 +12 07 53; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/20/01): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star lies 0.9' WNW of center while a brighter mag 12.5 star follows by 3.5'.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5747 = H. III-48 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 175) and logged, "eF, S, required some time to look at it before it could be well seen."  There is nothing at his position but 50 seconds of time preceding is UGC 9496.  Several other nebulae discovered that night also have errors of 30 to 90 seconds in RA too far east, so this identification is very likely.  Stephan observed this galaxy on 4 May 1870 as well as 2 May 1878 and his uncorrected notebook position (first observation) was just 1' to the SW.

 

Bigourdan failed to find H. III-48 twice at WH's position, but rediscovered NGC 5747 and assumed it was new (Big. 422, later IC 4493).  So, NGC 5747 is identical to IC 4493.  UGC, CGCG and MCG label this galaxy IC 4493 instead of NGC 5747.

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NGC 5748 = CGCG 134-029 = PGC 52672

14 45 05.1 +21 54 58; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 158°

 

17.5" (6/20/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 0.7'x0.5', weak concentration.  Located between a mag 9.5 star 2.6' NNE and mag 9.2 SAO 83498 6.6' SSW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5748 = St. 12-67 on 30 Apr 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 3' too far E.  His published accurate position was made 12 years later on 14 Jun 1882 with description "extremely faint, very small, slightly brighter nucleus."

 

George Bond possibly discovered NGC 5748 on 30 Dec 1850 at the Harvard College Observatory and reported it in AN 1453, but his approximate coordinates leaves this identication uncertain.

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NGC 5749 = Cr 287 = ESO 176-004

14 48 54 -54 29 54; Lup

Size 8'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): With a 27 Panoptic (76x), a group of three dozen stars are scattered in an irregular 8' region.  The cluster includes a number of 12th magnitude stars with a mag 9.5 star at the NW edge.  At 228x, up to 60 stars within this group were counted.  There are no rich subgroups but the most distinctive group is a V-shaped or "wishbone" asterism of mag 11 stars with the prongs opening to the east.  Eight of the stars are grouped into wide pairs of 30" to 40" separation.  A mag 9.7 yellow star lies ~6' E of the cluster.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5749 = D 356 = h3580 on 7 May 1826.  Based on 3 observations he wrote, "a group of 8 or 10 pretty bright small stars, in the form of a letter Y, about 5' long, parallel to the equator, with small stars in it resembling faint nebula."

 

John Herschel made the single observation on 8 Jul 1834 (sweep 468): "cluster VII class; p rich, loose, irregular figure, 8', stars 10 and 11th mag."

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NGC 5750 = UGC 9512 = MCG +00-38-006 = CGCG 020-013 = LGG 386-012 = PGC 52735

14 46 11.1 -00 13 25; Vir

V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 65°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.8'x1.2'.  The halo has a moderate even concentration down to a very small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1.1' N of center.

 

8" (6/29/84): fairly faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weakly concentrated with no sharp nucleus.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5750 = H. I-183 = h1875 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727) and logged "cB, pL, iR."  John Herschel describe it as "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; r; 30"; is not entitled to be called first class.  Sky perfectly clear."

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NGC 5751 = UGC 9498 = MCG +09-24-033 = CGCG 273-024 = PGC 52607

14 43 49.2 +53 24 01; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 55°

 

24" (7/23/20): nearly moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak concentration with to a more circular, slightly brighter central region.  The outer halo is ill-defined and uneven in surface brightness.  Mag 12 stars lie 3' W and 3' SE.  I Zw 92, an interacting pair, lies 29' WNW.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6, even surface brightness.  Forms the vertex of an obtuse angle of 135° with two mag 11 stars 2.8' W and 3.1' SE of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5751 = H. II-809 = h1877 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 927) and noted "F, S, E."  His position is poor, but JH commented "vF; R; forms an obtuse-angled isosceles with 2 equal stars 10-11m, one p, one sf; dist of each 3'." and he measured a more accurate position (1' too far north).

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NGC 5752 = Arp 297 NED1 = UGC 9505 = MCG +07-30-060 = CGCG 220-052 = Holm 674c = PGC 52685

14 45 14.1 +38 43 44; Boo

V = 14.9;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 120°

 

18" (5/3/08): NGC 5752 forms the western component of a close interacting pair with much brighter NGC 5754 just 1' E.  Appears faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 24"x18".  NGC 5753 and NGC 5755, a wider pair of galaxies at twice the redshift, lie ~4' N.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): first of four in the NGC 5754 group.  Extremely faint, very small, 15" diameter, round, averted vision only.  In a tight group with NGC 5754 1.1' E and the NGC 5753/NGC 5755 pair 3.5' NNE.

 

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 5752, along with NGC 5753 and 5755 on 1 Apr 1878, while observing NGC 5754.  He noted a "double nebula, pos 83.5°, distance 70.3"; p one [NGC 5752] the fainter."  NGC 5754 has a very low surface brightness arm on the south side that attaches like a tidal tail to NGC 5752.

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NGC 5753 = Arp 297 NED2 = MCG +07-30-062 = CGCG 220-053nw = Holm 674d = PGC 52695

14 45 18.9 +38 48 21; Boo

V = 15.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

18" (5/3/08): extremely faint, round, just 10" diameter, requires averted vision.  This the furthest north and the faintest member of a tight quartet.  Located 1.9' NW of NGC 5755 and 4.5' N of NGC 5754.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): extremely faint, very small, round, visible with averted vision only.  Forms a pair with NGC 5755 1.9' SE.  In a quartet with the NGC 5752/NGC 5754 pair 4' S.

 

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 5753, along with NGC 5752 and 5755, on 1 Apr 1878 while observing NGC 5754.  With respect to NGC 5755, he noted another nebula that was "F, bM, pos 324.7°, dist 121.1".  Parsons' micrometric offsets clearly pinpoints MCG +07-30-062 as NGC 5753.  The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 5753 and NGC 5754.  See my RNGC Corrections #2.

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NGC 5754 = Arp 297 NED3 = UGC 9505 = MCG +07-30-061 = CGCG 220-052 = Holm 674a = PGC 52686

14 45 19.4 +38 43 52; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.2

 

18" (5/3/08): brightest galaxy in a small quartet and form a close, interacting pair with NGC 5752 just 1' W.  At 280x, NGC 5754 appeared moderately bright, round, 1' diameter, contains a very small bright core and faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 5755 lies 3' NNE and NGC 5753 is 4.4' N.  The redshift of the latter two galaxies is half that of NGC 5252 and 5254.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): brightest in a compact quartet.  Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.8', gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5752 1.1' W.  The NGC 5753/NGC 5755 pair lies 4' N and 3' NNE, respectively.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5754 = H. III-687 = h1878 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and recorded cF, pS.  Another much fainter and smaller suspected, about 2' more north.  300x showed the same."  NGC 5754 is the brightest in a close group of four with NGC 5752, NGC 5753 and NGC 5755 (discovered by Lawrence Parsons on 1 Apr 1878) with NGC 5752/5754 a close pair.  NGC 5755, situated 3' north-northeast of NGC 5754, is probably the galaxy suspected by WH!

 

RNGC has confused the identities of NGC 5753 and NGC 5754, hence the positions and new descriptions for these two entries should be reversed.  The correct identifications are given in UGC and MCG.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #2.

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NGC 5755 = Arp 297 NED4 = UGC 9507 = MCG +07-30-063 = CGCG 220-053se = Holm 674b = PGC 52690

14 45 24.6 +38 46 47; Boo

V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 15°

 

18" (5/3/08): at 280x this member of the NGC 5754 quartet appeared very faint, round, just 20" diameter.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed.  On the DSS, this appears to be an interacting double system, so perhaps I was just resolving it.  NGC 5753 lies 1.9' NW.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): last of four in the NGC 5754 quartet.  Very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 1' SE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5753 1.9' NW and the NGC 5752/5754 pair is just 3' SSW.

 

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 5755, along with NGC 5752 and 5753 on 1 Apr 1878, while observing NGC 5754.  He noted a faint nebula in PA 18.3° from NGC 5754 at a distance of 131.8" (the actual separation is closer to 3', although the PA is accurate).

 

William Herschel probably discovered this object earlier on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738).  In his description of NGC 5754 he noted "Another much fainter and smaller suspected, about 2 [arcmin] more north.  300 shewed the same."  Because of his uncertainty, he didn't assign NGC 5755 an internal discovery number and WH missed being credited with the discovery.

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NGC 5756 = MCG -02-38-012 = Holm 676a = PGC 52825

14 47 33.7 -14 51 13; Lib

V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, very elongated SW-NE, weakly concentrated halo, small bright nucleus with faint extensions.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5756 = h3581 on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "pB; pmE; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 80"."  His single position is at the east edge of the galaxy.

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NGC 5757 = ESO 580-033 = MCG -03-38-014 = PGC 52839

14 47 46.4 -19 04 42; Lib

V = 11.9;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 160°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, moderately large, brighter core surrounded by a round, diffuse halo.  A mag 13 star is off the NNE edge 2.0' from the center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5757 = H. III-690 = h1876 on 19 May 1787 (sweep 741) and recorded "vF, cS, little brighter middle, iF."  His position is just off the north edge of the galaxy.  John Herschel called this galaxy "F; S; R; bM."

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NGC 5758 = UGC 9524 = MCG +02-38-011 = CGCG 076-039 = PGC 52787

14 47 02.1 +13 40 06; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (7/17/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 14 star lies 0.9' E.  In a group and forms a pair with CGCG 76-043 1.8' ESE.  This companion (misidentified as NGC 5758 in the Uranometria 2000.0) appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  CGCG 76-31 lies 6' W, CGCG 76-53 12' E and NGC 5759 13' S.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5758 = Sw. 3-83 on 6 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; bright star follows 22 sec."  His position is 8 sec of RA west and 1.6' south of UGC 9524.  His note of the bright star secures the identification, though the actual separation is 19 sec.  Swift missed nearby CGCG 076-043.  See Harold Corwin comments.

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NGC 5759 = UGC 9525 = MCG +02-38-012 = CGCG 076-044 = PGC 52797

14 47 14.8 +13 27 25; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

 

24" (7/10/18): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round.  Contains a bright core that is offset to the southeast side and a faint halo that extends only northwest of the core!  CGCG 076-042, situated 3.4' S, appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 or 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~25"x15", very small bright nucleus.

 

NGC 5759 forms an interacting pair (connected with a tidal bridge) with LEDA 200319, just 45" NNW. At 375x, the companion was very faint, round, only 5" diameter, and could be barely held continuously with averted vision.  A mag 15.2 star is 45" N.

 

17.5" (7/17/01): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with difficult CGCG 076-042 3.4' S.  This is a double system with a compact companion off the NW end but it was not resolved.  Located 13' S of NGC 5758 in a group.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5759 = St. 11-29 on 23 May 1871 and measured an initial position 1' to the S.  His published micrometric position was made 9 years later on 7 Jun 1880.

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NGC 5760 = UGC 9531 = MCG +03-38-015 = CGCG 105-028 = PGC 52833

14 47 42.3 +18 30 07; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 96°

 

18" (7/13/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W.  Contains a small, bright core that appears offset to the west side of the glow.  Occasionally a faint stellar nucleus popped into view.  Forms a pair with IC 4507 ~3' south.  This companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.

 

17.5" (7/16/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, weakly concentrated.  Located 3.4' N east of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with difficult IC 4507 2.9' S.

 

17.5" (6/16/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration.  IC 4507 2.8' S (mag 15.7z) was not seen with certainty in poor conditions (partially cloudy).  HCG 72 lies 32' N.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5760 = H. III-885 = h1879 on 24 May 1791 (sweep 1006) and recorded "eF, vS, E nearly in the parallel [E-W]."  John Herschel logged "vF; lE in parallel; very gradually little brighter middle." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5761 = ESO 580-039 = MCG -03-38-018 = PGC 52916

14 49 08.4 -20 22 35; Lib

V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 85°

 

48" (5/12/12): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, oval 5:4 ~E-W, ~1.2'x0.9', sharply concentrated with a very bright, oval core, halo fades out gradually.  A mag 16 star lies 45" SW.  Two companions are on opposite sides of the galaxy: PGC 52918 is 50" NNE of center and ESO 580-038 lies 1.9' SW.  The PGC appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 15"x12", brighter core.  The ESO was fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~21"x7".  The tidal plume connecting NGC 5761 to the ESO by a long tidal plume was not convincingly seen (though by Lowrey).

 

17.5": fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter.  The faint outer halo rises sharply to a 15" bright core.  Brightest in a small group with ESO 580-040 12' NE.  The NGC identification is uncertain and NGC 5761 may be ESO 580-040.  This is a disrupted interacting galaxy with a long connecting tail SW to a faint companion.  PGC 52918 close north was not seen with certainty in breezy conditions.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5761 = LM 1-211 in 1886 and recorded "mag 14.5, 0.3' dia, R, gradually little brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 6' north of ESO 580-039 and also 36 sec of RA west of ESO 580-040.  The galaxy directly south of his position is brighter, but Leavenworth's positions are more often off in RA, suggesting ESO 580-040 is the correct identification.

 

RNGC, ESO-LV and RC3 identify ESO 580-039 as NGC 5761.  But in the South Equatorial Galaxy Catalogue (ESGC) and an early NGC errata list, Harold Corwin identified ESO 580-040 as NGC 5761.  Without a discovery sketch, either identification is plausible.  See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5762 = UGC 9535 = MCG +02-38-014 = CGCG 076-063 = PGC 52887

14 48 42.6 +12 27 26; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (6/3/00): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 1' diameter, weak even concentration to a brighter core.  A semicircle of four stars mag 13-14 lies 6-7' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 5763 at 4.4' ENE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5762 = Sw. 3-84, along with NGC 5763 = Sw. 3-85, on 22 May 1886 and recorded "vF; S; R; preceding of 2 [with NGC 5763]."  His RA is 13 sec too large but his relative positions for the pair are very good.  Both Herbert Howe and Bigourdan (21 May 1892) measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5763 = CGCG 076-064 = PGC 52905

14 48 58.7 +12 29 24; Boo

V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

 

17.5" (6/3/00): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 5762 4.4' WSW.  Forms the eastern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 15 stars 1.5'  SW and NW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5763 = Sw. 3-85, along with NGC 5762, on 22 May 1886, and recorded "eeeF; pS; ee diff; following of 2 [with NGC 5762]."  His RA is 22 sec too large but his relative positions for the pair is good.  Both Herbert Howe and Bigourdan measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5764 = Cr 288 = ESO 223-004

14 53 32 -52 40 12; Lup

V = 12.6;  Size 2'

 

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): NGC 5764 is a very small, faint elongated glow, ~1' length, with a half-dozen mag 13-15 stars resolved in a tight clump.  A mag 13 star (close double) is off the east end and the brightest star in the elongated clump is a very close double.  Several additional very faint stars are within a 2' x 1' region (nominal size of the cluster).  Located 26' NW of mag 5.4 HD 131562.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5764 = h3582 on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "a small elongated close group of vS milky way stars; 3' l, 1 1/2' br; so close and faint as to approach very near to the character of a nebula."  His single position is at the east end of the small group.

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NGC 5765 = UGC 9554 = MCG +01-38-004 = MCG +01-38-005 = CGCG 048-024 = PGC 53011 = PGC 53012

14 50 51.0 +05 07 01; Vir

V = 13.3

 

24" (6/30/16): at 322x; NGC 5765B is moderately bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core that stands out.  Brighter of a contact pair with NGC 5765A 24" NW.  The companion appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated ~5:2 E-W, 30"x12", contains a very small brighter core, very faint low surface brightness extensions.

 

17.5" (4/13/91): NGC 5765 is a very close double system oriented NW-SE.  The southeast component (NGC 5765B) is brighter and appears faint, small, round.  NGC 5765A is virtually in contact at the northwest end and appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, low surface brightness.  The nuclei have a separation of 20".

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5765 = h1880 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "vF; a double nebula, both individuals eF."  His position matches this contact pair. R.J. Mitchell made another observation on 10 May 1855 at Birr Castle and wrote, "2 vS neb np and sf, very close both R, bM.  The sf neb seems a little the larger the brighter."  So, there is no doubt both galaxies were seen, although only a single NGC designation was assigned.

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NGC 5766 = ESO 580-050 = MCG -03-38-024 = PGC 53186

14 53 09.5 -21 23 38; Lib

V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 149°

 

18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter, moderate surface brightness.  Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle (sides 2', 2' and 1') with two similar mag 12 stars to the north and NE.

 

17.5" (6/20/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8'.  Very weak even concentration (not noticeable initially) but no core or nucleus.  Forms the southern vertex of a thin isosceles triangle with two mag 12-13 stars 2.3' N and a similar distance NE.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5766 = LM 1-212 on 8 Jul 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  He reported "mag 14.5; 0.3' dia; R; gradually little brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min of RA west and 1' N of ESO 580-050.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observation at the turn of the century.

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NGC 5767 = UGC 9549 = CGCG 248-022 = Holm 681a = PGC 52942

14 49 34.4 +47 22 34; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.1' NNW of center.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5767 = Sw. 1-37 on 14 May 1885 and recorded "vvF; pS; R; * nr; saw another nr as I supposed, but could not refind it."  His RA is 16 sec too large.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 14 Jun 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).  UGC does not label UGC 9549 as NGC 5767.

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NGC 5768 = UGC 9564 = MCG +00-38-009 = CGCG 020-026 = PGC 53089

14 52 08.0 -02 31 49; Lib

V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ENE, 1.2'x0.9', fairly even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is attached at the south edge 0.5' from center.  Located 25' SE of 11 Librae (V = 4.9).

 

8" (6/30/84): very faint, small, almost round, even surface brightness.  A faint star is on the south edge.  Two stars to the east and SE form an equilateral triangle.  Mag 5 11 Librae lies 25' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5768 = H. III-373 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400). He  recorded "vF, just north of a small star, which it seems to be an electrical brush preceding towards the north, but there is a little distance between the star and the brush.  At first sight it resembles the 1st of my Fan-shaped [reflection nebula NGC 2245]."  On 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 917) he logged, "F, R, faint nucleus, vF chevelure north of a small star; the chevalure reaches up to it."  John Herschel made no observations although Stephan took a look on 23 May 1871 and 3 May 1878.

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NGC 5769 = MCG +01-38-008 = CGCG 048-047 = ARK 462 = PGC 53145

14 52 41.6 +07 55 55; Boo

V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

17.5" (6/18/93): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, extremely small brighter core with direct vision.  Located 9.5' N of mag 7.9 SAO 120708 at the edge of the 220x field.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5769 on 27 Apr 1881 at the Washburn Observatory and noted "vF, exactly north of Lalande 27090."  His position is 2.5' north of CGCG 048-047, with the declination measured on the 27th and 28th.

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NGC 5770 = UGC 9575 = MCG +01-38-011 = CGCG 048-052 = LGG 387-005 = PGC 53201

14 53 15.0 +03 57 36; Vir

V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, increases to a small bright core containing a stellar nucleus.  The core is surrounded by a small halo.  NGC 5774 and NGC 5775 are located 25' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5770 = H. II-576 = h1881 on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557) and recorded "F, S, lE; like two stellar joined very closely."  His RA was 36 seconds too large.  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured an accurate position.  On 26 Apr 1851, Lord Rosse or his assistant Bindon Stoney reported "strongly suspected to be a very close double nebula; but definition and clouds."  On 12 May 1858, R.J. Mitchell reported "closely double preceding - following, p companion vS."  The preceding companion is a superimposed star.

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NGC 5771 = MCG +05-35-021 = CGCG 164-037 = PGC 53088

14 52 14.3 +29 50 43; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, broad moderate concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Forms a pair with NGC 5773 4' ESE.  NGC 5774 lies 24' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5771 = H. III-129 = h1882, along with NGC 5773, on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "Two, extr F and vS, R nebula; about 6' from each other. 240 confirmed them with difficulty."  His single position matches NGC 5771.  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; S; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 15"."

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NGC 5772 = UGC 9566 = MCG +07-31-001 = CGCG 220-060 = PGC 53067

14 51 39.0 +40 35 57; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.8', small bright core, sharp stellar nucleus.  Located 7' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 45240.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5772 = h1883 on 12 May 1828 and recorded "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; a * 8m np."  His position and description matches UGC 9566.

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NGC 5773 = UGC 9571 = MCG +05-35-022 = CGCG 164-038 = PGC 53124

14 52 30.3 +29 48 27; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.8' S.  Forms a very similar pair with NGC 5771 4' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5773 = H. III-130 = h1884, along with NGC 5771, on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218).  See description for NGC 5771.  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 20"."

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NGC 5774 = UGC 9576 = MCG +01-38-013 = CGCG 048-057 = Holm 685b = LGG 387-003 = PGC 53231

14 53 42.6 +03 34 58; Vir

V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 145°

 

48" (4/19/17): Interesting face-on SBc spiral at 488x.  Contains a fairly bright, small oval core with a weak E-W bar.  A spiral arm is attached on the south side of the core and curls at least 90° counterclockwise towards the south and west, ending about 40" WNW of center.  A second arm is on the north side of the core but it was more difficult to distinguish as it wraps east tight to the core.  Finally, a fairly long, detached spiral arm of low surface brightness is on the southwest side of the halo, extending linearly WNW-ESE.  On the SDSS, this "arm" consists of a number of adjacent blue HII knots and angles towards companion NGC 5775. Two stars are superimposed north of center, one just 12" N and a mag 16 star 30" NE.

 

24" (7/14/15): at 375x; moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 2.0'x1.5', slightly brighter middle, gradually increases towards the center.  Either contains a faint stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed near the center.  A mag 14 star is just off the northeast side, 1.4' from the center.  Forms a trio with NGC 5775 4.4' SE and IC 1070 6.3' SSE.

 

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, round, fairly low surface brightness, gradually brighter but no well-defined core.  A mag 14 star is off the NE edge 1.4' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5775 4.5' SE.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5774 on 26 Apr 1851.  While observing NGC 5775 he noted "[NGC 5775] is a long ray with another nebula [NGC 5774] about 3' preceding and a little north."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on two nights and Stephan made observations on 9 Jun 1877 and 30 May 1878.

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NGC 5775 = UGC 9579 = MCG +01-38-014 = CGCG 048-060 = Holm 685a = LGG 387-004 = PGC 53247

14 53 57.5 +03 32 42; Vir

V = 11.4;  Size 4.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 146°

 

48" (4/19/17): very bright, large, very elongated 5:1 NW-SE, 4.0'x0.8', Contains a larger brighter middle section but no distinct nucleus.  A well defined, long thin dust lane slices through much of the galaxy, just east of center, though the contrast is less towards the outer portions.  The section west of the lane is considerably brighter and contains the main central section.  Overall, the galaxy has a very irregular surface brightness and was generally mottled.  The galaxy appeared dusty with a lower surface brightness to the NW of the central section and a knotty section is at the NW end (identified as [LED2001] C in SIMBAD from the 2001 paper "NGC 5775: Anatomy of a disk-halo interface").  Similarly, there is a lower surface brightness region (dust) SE of the central section and two very small HII knots near the SE end (HII complex [LED2001] A).  NGC 5775 is the brightest and largest in a trio with NGC 5775 4.4' NW and IC 1070 4' SSW.

 

24" (7/14/15 and 6/23/17): at 375x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 3.6'x0.9', slightly brighter elongated middle.  This edge-on has a mottled, dusty appearance.  A slightly brighter patch is at the southeast end (HII region "A" in "NGC 5775: Anatomy of a disk-halo interface").  Also, there appears to be a slightly brighter patch on the northwest side.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.9' NE of center. Brightest in a physical trio with NGC 5774 4.4' NW and IC 1070 3.9' SSW.

 

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, weakly concentrated to a large elongated brighter central region.  A mag 13 star is just northeast of the core 0.9' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5774 4.5' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5775 = H. III-554 = h1885 on 27 May 1786 (sweep 567) and recorded "vF, S, E from np to sf but nearly in the meridian."  John Herschel made 3 observations.  On 10 Apr 1828 (sweep 143), he logged "Not vF; gradually very little brighter middle; a narrow ray, 90" l, 15" br."  Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 5774, which was discovered at Birr Castle.  Brightest member of GCG 387 (Garcia Compact Group).

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NGC 5776 = MCG +01-38-018 = CGCG 048-067 = PGC 53289

14 54 32.7 +02 57 59; Vir

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  Several bright stars in field including mag 9 SAO 12073 3.5' SSW and mag 9 SAO 120733 5' ENE.  The IC 1066/IC 1067 pair lies 30' NW.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5776 on 27 Apr 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 9 star (HD 131604) preceding by 3 seconds of time and 4' S.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 3 Jun 1878.

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NGC 5777 = UGC 9568 = MCG +10-21-034 = CGCG 296-018 = FGC 1822 = PGC 53043

14 51 17.8 +58 58 39; Dra

V = 13.3;  Size 3.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 144°

 

48" (5/1/19): at 375x; bright, large, very thin edge-on NW-SE, 3.0'x0.3'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, small but slightly elongated core.  The galaxy extends just beyond a mag 14.5 star near the NW end.  UGC 9570, a low surface brightness companion 2.7' SE of center, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, diffuse glow, ~40" diameter, very weak concentration.

 

Mrk 830, a distant Sy1 galaxy (light-travel time = 2.56 billion years) located 20' SSE, was easily visible and displayed a faint stellar nucleus surrounded by a very small halo, ~6" diameter.

 

24" (7/6/13): at 200x appeared fairly bright, large, edge-on ~8:1 NW-SE, ~2.4'x0.3'.  Contains a small bright core that is elongated and increases to a brighter sub-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is adjacent to the NW tip of the galaxy on the following edge.  Forms a pair with UGC 9570, a dwarf galaxy 2.8' SE of center.  The ghostly companion appeared as a very low surface brightness ill-defined glow, ~25" diameter.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.4', small bright core, thin extensions.  A mag 14.5 star is close to the NW tip, 1.2' from center.  Located 20' S of mag 5.5 HD 131507.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5777 = H. III-806 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924).  He logged "very faint, very small, little elongated."

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NGC 5778 = NGC 5825?? = UGC 9590 = MCG +03-38-050 = CGCG 105-066 = VV 766 = PGC 53279

14 54 31.4 +18 38 32; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (6/3/00): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, slightly brighter core, very diffuse halo.  View hampered by a mag 11.5 star close following [ 50" from center].  MCG +03-38-052 is located 6' SE.  This galaxy is the brightest in the rich cluster AGC 1991.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5778 = Sw. 4-15 on 20 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; pB * close f; ee dif."  His position is just 9 sec of RA west of UGC 9590 and the description applies to this galaxy.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 19 May 1890.  UGC fails to label equivalent UGC 9590 as NGC 5778.  See identification notes on NGC 5825.

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NGC 5779 = MCG +09-24-048 = CGCG 273-031 = PGC 53090

14 52 09.4 +55 53 58; Dra

V = 14.7;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/27/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 15 star is 40" WSW of center and a mag 15.5 star (not on GSC) lies 44" SSE.  Can hold the galaxy continuously at 280x.  Located 10' NNW of mag 7.2 SAO 29317.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5779 = Sw. 1-38 on 9 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; little brighter middle; pB * nr."  His position is just 9 sec of RA east and 1' north of CGCG 273-031 = PGC 53090.

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NGC 5780 = MCG +05-35-024 = CGCG 164-041 = PGC 53275

14 54 22.7 +28 56 23; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 50"x25".  A mag 11.5 star is 1.6' SSW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5780 = Sw. 6-69 on 30 Mar 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R; pB * sp."  His position is accurate to within 1' and his comment "pB * nr sp" applies.

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NGC 5781 = MCG -03-38-028 = PGC 53417

14 56 41.2 -17 14 38; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 31°

 

17.5": faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6'.  A mag 15.5-16 star is right at the south edge (~30" from center) and another mag 15 star is 51" SW of center, on line with the major axis.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5781 = h1886 on 11 May 1831 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; has a * 16m sp near."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5782 = UGC 9602 = MCG +02-38-022 = CGCG 076-099 = PGC 53322

14 55 55.2 +11 51 41; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/3/00): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, mild even concentration to center.  Forms a close pair with MCG +02-38-023 just 52" NNE of center.  The RNGC, CGCG, MCG, PGC and NED misidentify NGC 5782 = MCG +2-38-21 = CGCG 76-94.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5782 = Sw. 6-70 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF, vS, E, * nr sf".  There is nothing near his position, but 20 sec of RA further east and 9' north is UGC 9602.  Although this is a relatively large error for Swift, there is a star 45" southeast, matching Swift's description.  Bigourdan caught Swift's error and measured an accurate position on 31 May 1894.

 

If this identification is correct, then the RNGC, CGCG, MCG and PGC misidentify CGCG 076-094 = PGC 53322 as NGC 5782.  This galaxy (visually fainter than UGC 9602) was probably selected as it differs only in RA from Swift's original position.  This assignment, though, ignores Bigourdan's correction and fails to match Swift's comment about a star southeast.  I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #6.  See Corwin's identification notes (he concurs with my identification).

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NGC 5783 = NGC 5785: = UGC 9586 = MCG +09-24-050 = CGCG 273-033 = PGC 53217

14 53 28.2 +52 04 34; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 2.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.7', even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the north edge 20" from the center.  Forms a pair with MCG +09-24-049 = (R)NGC 5788 2.6' SW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5783 around 1887. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer, who referenced his 6th discovery list, which was under preparation when the NGC was published.  But Swift didn't include it in either his 6th or later 9th list, which included several objects Swift discovered prior to the publication of the NGC.  This was one of six objects discovered by Swift that never appeared in his discovery lists.  Swift's position was 5 sec of RA west and 1.7' north of UGC 9586 and his description "pB, pS, irregularly round, F* inv" applies.  List VI contains two nearby entries - NGC 5785 and NGC 5788, described as "np of 2" and "sf of 2".  NGC 5785 mentions a "F* close f", so appears to be a duplicate observation (or the same observation?) of UGC 9586 (the star is at the northeast end), though his RA is 30 sec too large (also off 2.6' in declination).  So, NGC 5785 = NGC 5783.

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NGC 5784 = UGC 9592 = MCG +07-31-006 = CGCG 221-009 = PGC 53265

14 54 16.5 +42 33 29; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5" (6/21/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, high surface brightness, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5787 12' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5784 = H. II-676 = h1887 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "pB, vS, Stellar."  John Herschel made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 5785 = NGC 5783: = UGC 9586 = MCG +09-24-050 = CGCG 273-033 = PGC 53217

14 53 28.2 +52 04 34; Boo

 

See observing notes for NGC 5783.  Uncertain identification.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5785 = Sw. 6-71, along with NGC 5788 = Sw. 6-72, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; F * close following; np of 2 [with NGC 5788].  His position is 30 sec of RA east and 3' north of UGC 9586, but his description is a reasonable match with a star on the northeast end of the central region.  The much fainter companion, NGC 5788, is situated 2.6' southwest, so his orientation is incorrect.

 

Furthermore, Swift communicated the discovery of a third nebula, NGC 5783, directly to Dreyer, which did not appear in either his 6th or 9th discovery lists.  The NGC position for NGC 5783 is within 2' of UGC 9586 and also mentions the nearby star.  So NGC 5783 = NGC 5785 may be the same observation (Swift may have manipulated the position) or the result of separate observations of this galaxy.

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NGC 5786 = ESO 327-037 = MCG -07-31-004 = PGC 53527

14 58 56.3 -42 00 48; Cen

V = 11.2;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 63°

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 200x; fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.6'x0.8', weak concentration to a small brighter core, surrounded by several mag 13-14 stars.  Overpowered by *3.1 k Cen just 6' SE and it helped to place the star outside the field.

 

12.5" (6/24/06 - Haleakala Crater): at 180x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.6'x1.0', broad concentration to a relatively large slightly brighter core with a small, sharply concentrated nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the NE end and a similar star is at or just off the SW end.  Located 6' NW of mag 3.1 k Centauri, which makes viewing difficult as the galaxy is nearly lost in the glare of the bright star.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5786 = h3585 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "F; mE.  In field with and np Kappa Centauri.  Place very rude."  His position was 1' too far SE.  MCG doesn't label -07-31-004 as NGC 5786, but the identification is certain.

 

NGC 5786 was photographed in 1904 at Harvard's Arequipa station with the 24-inch Bruce refractor and described by Royal Frost as "Spiral, 2 very faint branches, diameter 1.2'."

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NGC 5787 = UGC 9599 = MCG +07-31-008 = CGCG 221-013 = I Zw 98 = PGC 53339

14 55 15.5 +42 30 25; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, very small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 5784 12' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5787 = H. II-677 = h1888 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "F, pS, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel's single description reads, "S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12"; like a burred star."

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NGC 5788 = MCG +09-24-049 = CGCG 273-032 = PGC 53189

14 53 16.9 +52 02 39; Boo

V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

17.5" (6/18/93): extremely faint, very small, round, just visible continuously with averted, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 2.1' W.  Located 2.6' SW of NGC 5783.  Identified as NGC 5788 in the RNGC, NGC 2000 and DSFG although the identification is uncertain.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5788 = Sw. 6-72, along with NGC 5785, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; ee dif; sf of 2 [with NGC 5785].  Assuming NGC 5785 = NGC 5783 = UGC 9586, there is no galaxy to the southeast, but CGCG 273-032 = PGC 53189 lies 2.6' southwest and the logical candidate assuming he erred on the orientation.

 

Neither CGCG nor MCG label this galaxy as NGC 5788, but it is the choice of the RNGC.  I originally concluded NGC 5788 was lost (Malcolm Thomson concurred) and wrote up this case in RNGC Correction #7 as a RNGC misidentification.  But Swift made several similar errors in his observations, so it is not unreasonable that NGC 5788 = CGCG 273-032.  See notes on NGC 5785 as well as Harold Corwin's comments.

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NGC 5789 = UGC 9615 = MCG +05-35-026 = CGCG 164-043 = WAS 93 = LGG 388-002 = PGC 53414

14 56 35.7 +30 14 00; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

24" (7/11/18): at 375x; moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, very small brighter core, irregular surface brightness.  The star field only includes some relatively few faint stars.  Brighter NGC 5798 lies 21' SE and UGC 9588 is 31' W.  The UGC appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, occasional very faint nucleus.  A 14th mag star lies 50" SE.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, fairly small, very diffuse, irregularly round, weak concentration.  Located 21' NW of NGC 5798.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5789 = H. III-976 = h1890 on 21 May 1802 (late sweep 1107).  He recorded "extremely faint, small, irregular figure."  His RA was 6 seconds of time too small.  On 30 Mar 1827 (sweep 65), John Herschel called this galaxy "extremely faint; pretty large; 40...50" [diameter]."

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NGC 5790 = UGC 9624 = MCG +01-38-022 = CGCG 048-076 = PGC 53459

14 57 35.9 +08 17 07; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 77°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness except for very small brighter core.  A pretty double star, HJ 2756 = 9.1/10.1 at 25", is just 3' ESE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5790 = St. 13-81 on 5 May 1870 with a second observation on 20 Jun 1878.  His accurate published position in list 13, #81 was made on 16 May 1884 with description "extremely faint, very small, irregularly round, little brighter middle."

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NGC 5791 = ESO 581-007 = MCG -03-38-035 = LGG 389-002 = PGC 53516

14 58 46.2 -19 16 01; Lib

V = 11.7;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 163°

 

17.5" (6/16/01): moderately bright, oval elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.7'.  The faint halo contains a bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group and forms a close pair with IC 1081 2.7' NE.  A mag 12 star lies 3' SE.  Located 5' NNW of mag 10 SAO 158945.  IC 1081 appeared very faint, very elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  Very weakly concentrated. 

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, dominated by a bright core surrounded by faint extensions roughly NW-SE.  A mag 11 star is 4.7' SSE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5791 = H. III-691 = h1889 on 19 May 1787 (sweep 741) and recorded "cF, stellar, suddenly much brighter middle."  John Herschel logged "pF; R; bM; 20" and measured a fairly accurate position.  JH missed nearby IC 1081.

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NGC 5792 = UGC 9631 = MCG +00-38-012 = CGCG 020-038 = PGC 53499

14 58 22.7 -01 05 24; Lib

V = 11.3;  Size 6.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 84°

 

48" (5/16/12): very bright, very large, very elongated over 4:1 E-W, ~6.2'x1.5'.  Dominated by a large, bright central region that increases to an intensely bright core.  The central region has a patchy, dusty appearance in the outer portion.  A mag 9.6 star is attached at the NW edge of the core.  A single, thin spiral arm is attached near this star (slightly east) and shoots west for ~2.5', curving very little.  There is no counterpart on the east side, but just a very large, elongated, low surface brightness halo that extends east for ~2' towards a mag 14 star.

 

18" (6/13/07): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W.  The major axis extended to ~3' in poor seeing.  Contains a bright core and much fainter extensions that dim towards the tips.  A mag 10 star close NW of the core detracts from viewing.

 

17.5" (6/12/99): moderately bright, fairly large, broad concentration with a quasi-stellar nucleus at moments with direct vision.  A mag 10 star close WNW of the core detracts from viewing.  Initially appeared ~2.5'x1.5', but with averted vision, very low surface brightness extensions oriented E-W increase the dimensions to at least 4'x1.5'.  The ends of the arms fade into the background so it was difficult to judge the size.

 

8" (6/30/84): faint, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, very diffuse, even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is attached at the WNW side of the core 1.1' from center and interferes with viewing.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5792 = H. II-683 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727) and recorded "pB, pL, R, mbM, sf a considerable star; the nebulosity joining to it with a little nebulosity towards the following side."  His position is accurate.  Not observed by JH, but d'Arrest made two observations and seen twice at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5793 = MCG -03-38-038 = PGC 53550

14 59 24.8 -16 41 36; Lib

V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 150°

 

18" (6/21/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Contains a brighter core with direct vision.  An elongated group of 5 stars is off the east side, including 4 in an arc.  Forms a pair with NGC 5796 4.2' N.

 

17.5" (6/30/00): fairly faint, moderately range, elongated nearly 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.5'x0.5'.  Contains a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Forms a pair with NGC 5796 5' N.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): faint, small, nearly edge-on streak NNW-SSE, bright core with faint extensions.  Picked up while viewing NGC 5796 4' N.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5793 = LM 1-214, along with NGC 5796, in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.4; 0.8'x0.3'; lE 135°; bright middle to a nucleus." His rough position (nearest min of RA) and description matches MCG -03-38-038.  Herbert Howe's corrected micrometric position, given in his series of MN articles, is accurate.

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NGC 5794 = UGC 9610 = MCG +08-27-032 = CGCG 248-027 = PGC 53378

14 55 53.7 +49 43 32; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

18" (6/21/09): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', small bright core increases to the center.  First of three on a perfectly spaced string with NGC 5797 and NGC 5804.  Located 7.6' NW of mag 5.6 HD 132254.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration.  First and slightly inferior of three on a line with NGC 5797 5.3' ESE.  Located 8' NW of mag 5.6 SAO 45288.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5794 = h1891 on 13 May 1830 and recorded "pF, S, very suddenly brighter in the middle to a *13m; the first of 3 in a line [with NGC 5797 and 5804].  A star 6.7 mag near."  His position is 3' too far south, although he marked the declination uncertain.   William Herschel discovered nearby NGC 5797 and 5804, but missed this galaxy.  NGC 5794 and NGC 5797 are the only two galaxies in the group with a decent position in the RNGC.

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NGC 5795 = UGC 9617 = MCG +08-27-035 = CGCG 248-029 = PGC 53402

14 56 19.5 +49 23 56; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 64°

 

18" (6/21/09): fairly faint, thin edge-on, at least 5:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.15'.  Very unusual appearance as a mag 11 star is attached at the ENE end [29" ENE of center] and the galaxy appears as thin spike to the WSW.  A mag 11 star lies 1.5' N.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.3'.  A mag 11 star is at the ENE end 0.5' from center.  Located 14' S of mag 5.6 SAO 45288.  NGC 5804 lies 20' north.

 

The identification of NGC 5795 with this galaxy is uncertain as Lewis Swift's position was 50'  to the south.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5795 on 24 Jun 1887 and communicated the discovery directly to Dreyer.  His description in list IX reads "vF; pS; eE; spindle; pB star close to p end; [NGC 5794/5804/5805] in field."  There are no good candidates near his position though 50' north is UGC 9617.  Corwin argues this galaxy (identified as NGC 5795 in RNGC and RC3) is correct based on Swift's description, although the "pB star" is at the following end.  UGC 9617 is not labeled NGC 5795 in the UGC, MCG and CGCG, but is taken as NGC 5795 in the RNGC.  See Corwin's notes.

 

Malcolm Thomson feels UGC 9617 is a very unlikely candidate due to large error in position (50') and that UGC 9626 is a more likely identification.  This galaxy is 10' east-northeast of Swift's position, but does not have a bright star nearby, so I don't agree with this assignment.

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NGC 5796 = NGC 5816? = MCG -03-38-039 = LGG 390-002 = PGC 53549

14 59 24.1 -16 37 26; Lib

V = 11.6;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

 

18" (6/21/09): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.2'x1.0', very bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 5793 4.2' S.

 

17.5" (6/30/00): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~2.5'x1.5' (difficult to judge extent of halo).  Contains a striking 30" core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  Forms a nice pair with NGC 5793 5' S.  NGC 5815 lies 20' SE and NGC 5817 is 27' N.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): moderately bright, round, fairly small, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5793 4.7' S.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5796 = T. 10-1 = LM 1-214 on 23 May 1884.  It was found while observing NGC 5781 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  He called it a "New Class II nebula with a stellar nucleus" in a short discovery note in 1885.  Francis Leavenworth independently found the galaxy again on 31 May 1886 (Dreyer misattributed Ormond Stone with the rediscovery).

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NGC 5797 = UGC 9619 = MCG +08-27-036 = CGCG 248-030 = PGC 53408

14 56 24.0 +49 41 46; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 110°

 

18" (6/21/09): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.45'.  Contains a bright core that is sharply concentrated with a striking quasi-stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a quartet and middle of three on a line with NGC 5794 and NGC 5804.  Located 4.2' due north of mag 5.6 HD 132254.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, prominent core.  Brightest in a group of four galaxies and second of three on a line with NGC 5794 5.3' WNW and NGC 5804 7.2' ESE.  Located 4' N of mag 5.6 SAO 45288.  NGC 5795 lies 19' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5797 = H. III-678 = h1893, along with NGC 5804, on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736).  He recorded "about 3' north and 1/12' of space following [a mag 7 star] is a very faint, very small nebula." The observation was made with the telescope pointing within 1° of the zenith.

 

On 13 May 1830 (sweep 257), John Herschel logged "pF; S; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 13m; the second of 3 in a line [with NGC 5794 and 5804]; a 6.7m star near."

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NGC 5798 = UGC 9628 = MCG +05-35-028 = CGCG 164-047 = WAS 94 = LGG 388-003 = PGC 53463

14 57 38.0 +29 58 05; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 42°

 

13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~SW-NE.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the NE end 0.9' from center and a very faint star is involved at the SW end. Possibly slightly mottled with an asymmetric appearance. NGC 5789 (similar redshift) lies 21' NW. 

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5798 = H. III-131 = h1892 on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218). His description reads, "vF, E. It contains two stars.  It precedes, and is very near a star; so that without looking a little while, it might be taken for a brush to the star; the nebulosity is however not at all connected with it."  On 1 May 1854, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell wrote, "has a curved form; bet 2 star sp nf and in contact with them..."

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NGC 5799 = ESO 067-006 = AM 1500-721 = LGG 397-001 = PGC 53875

15 05 35.1 -72 25 58; Aps

V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

 

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  The major axis is collinear with a double star (plotted as a single on Megastar) 3.5' NW.  Located 38' NW of NGC 5833 in a small group.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5799 = h3584 on 4 Apr 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; bM; 15"."  His single position is off the east end of the galaxy.

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NGC 5800 = ESO 223-11

15 01 48 -51 55 06; Lup

Size 3'

 

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): this small bright asterism contains four bright stars, three in a N-S string.  The brightest is mag 7.4 HD 132606 = HJ 4723 (7.6/10.0 at 5").  Referring to this star, 2nd is mag 8.9 HD 132552 2.5' W, 3rd brightest is a mag 9.1 star 2' SSW, and 4th is a mag 9.6 star 0.8' SW.  A total of 8 stars are within a square region 2' on each side.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5800 = h3585 on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "A pL cl VII class; coarse; not comp; chief D* taken."  His position corresponds with a wide mag 7/9 pair at 49" separation surrounded by a scattered group of stars.  This appears to be an asterism. The RNGC New Description reads "NOCL?"

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NGC 5801 = PGC 53596

15 00 25.9 -13 54 16; Lib

V = 14.9;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (7/15/93): first of three in a group.  Extremely faint, fairly small, possibly elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.4', very low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5802 1.5' SE.  NGC 5803 2.2' NE not seen.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5801 = LM 1-215, along with NGC 5802 and 5803, on 10 Jun 1885.  He noted "vF, vS, suddenly brighter in the middle, 1st of 3."  Herbert Howe's micrometric position, measured in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor in Denver, is accurate.

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NGC 5802 = PGC 53601

15 00 29.9 -13 55 08; Lib

V = 14.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 90°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): second and brightest of three in a group with NGC 5801 1.5' NW and an anonymous galaxy 5.2' ESE.  Very faint, very small, round, small brighter core.  A mag 15 star is 1' S.

 

LEDA 160386, situated 5' ESE, appeared extremely faint and small, round, 10"-15" diameter.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' WSW.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5802 = LM 1-216, along with NGC 5801 and 5803, on 10 Jun 1885.  He noted "vF, vS, suddenly brighter in the middle, 2nd of 3.  Brightest and most nebulous of the three."  Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position around 1900 at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

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NGC 5803 = PGC 53609

15 00 34.5 -13 53 40; Lib

V = 15.1;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (6/30/00): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, occasional stellar nucleus.  Faintest of a trio situated 2.2' ENE of NGC 5801 and 1.8' NE of NGC 5802.  The galaxy is nearly collinear with two mag 13-13.5 stars to the SE [2.6' and 4.0'].

 

17.5" (7/15/93): not seen.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5803 = LM 1-217, along with NGC 5801 and 5802, on 10 Jun 1885.  He noted "vF, vS, suddenly brighter in the middle, 3rd of 3."  Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position around 1900 at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

 

Harold Corwin notes that Leavenworth's sketch clearly identifies NGC 5803 with a faint galaxy just northeast of both NGC 5801 and 5802.  The RNGC identification and position is correct although the Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 and the Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) is 0.4 min of RA too large.

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NGC 5804 = UGC 9627 = MCG +08-27-038 = CGCG 248-032 = PGC 53437

14 57 06.8 +49 40 08; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

 

18" (6/21/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2, 30"x20", sharply concentrated with a very small bright core that increases to the center.  Third of three equally spaced galaxies on a line with NGC 5805 7' WNW and NGC 5797 12' WNW.  Forms a closer pair with NGC 5805, a much fainter galaxy 2.6' SSE.  Mag 5.6 HD 132254 lies 7.6' WSW.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Third of three similar galaxies on a line: forms a close pair with NGC 5805 2.5' SSE with NGC 5797 7' WNW.  Located 7.4' ENE of bright mag 5.6 SAO 45288.  An incorrect position is given in RNGC, NGC 2000, and the first edition of U2000 and DSFG.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5804 = H. III-679 = h1895, along with NGC 5797, on 15 May 1787 (sweep 736). He recorded "...and another still fainter and smaller [than NGC 5797] about 7 or 8' following the same star, and about 1' north of it.  300x confirmed it."   The observation was made with the telescope pointing within 1° of the zenith.

 

On 13 May 1830 (sweep 257), John Herschel logged "pF; S; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 13m; the third of 3 in a line [with NGC 5794 and 5797]; a 6.7m star near."

 

The RNGC position is 1.4 min of RA too far west, falling close to PGC 53381.  Unfortunately, NGC 2000.0, Deep Sky Field Guide and the Uranometria 2000.0 atlas (first editions) followed the RNGC, confusing the identification.  RNGC also confused the position or identification of NGC 5805.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5805 = MCG +08-27-039 = PGC 53435

14 57 11.6 +49 37 44; Boo

V = 14.9;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 140°

 

18" (6/21/09): very faint, fairly small, round, 22" diameter, small slightly brighter core.  Located 2.6' SSE of NGC 5804 and faintest in a quartet with NGC 5794 and NGC 5795.  Located 8' E of mag 5.6 HD 132254.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): extremely faint, very small, round, just visible continuously with averted.  Located on line between a mag 14 star 1.4' SSE and NGC 5804 2.6' NNW.  Last of four in a group.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5805 on 3 Apr 1854 while observing the field of NGC 5794/5797/5804 with LdR's 72".  He noted "I think there is a vF, S neb at Delta [in sketch], about 2' +/- from Gamma [NGC 5804]."  The observation was confirmed the following year.  The diagram is a perfect match with MCG +08-27-039 = PGC 53435. This is an overlapping double system.

 

The RNGC misidentifies KUG 1454+498 = PGC 53381 as NGC 5805.  Unfortunately, NGC 2000, Deep Sky Field Guide and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas repeat the RNGC error.  NGC 5805 is referred to in the UGC notes to NGC 5804 but is not identified as NGC 5805.  Malcolm Thomson mentions this error in his unpublished Catalogue Corrections as well as in Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.

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NGC 5806 = UGC 9645 = MCG +00-38-014 = CGCG 020-041 = LGG 392-001 = PGC 53578

15 00 00.3 +01 53 28; Vir

V = 11.7;  Size 3.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.2'x1.1', gradually brightens to a small bright core.  NGC 5813 lies 21' SE.  Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5806 = H. II-539 = h1894 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "pB, cL, gradually brighter in the middle, lE."  On 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144), John Herschel wrote, "B; suddenly brighter in the middle to nucleus; E pos 75° np."

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NGC 5807 = MCG +11-18-016 = CGCG 318-009 = Mrk 832 = PGC 53373

14 55 48.7 +63 54 13; Dra

V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 12 star is 1.3' NW of center.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5807 on 14 Sep 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and confirmed at 123x and 161x.  His single position is on the west side of CGCG 318-009 = PGC 53373.

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NGC 5808 = NGC 5819: = UGC 9609 = CGCG 337-023 = PGC 53251

14 54 02.9 +73 07 54; UMi

 

See observing notes for NGC 5819.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5808 = H. III-311 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389).  This was the first night he swept with the telescope pointing north (above the pole), instead of south.  The description reads, "very faint, small, irregularly round.  Situated in the middle between two equal stars that are about 6' distance, and not very small."  His position is 1 minute of RA west of UGC 9609.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered and measured this galaxy accurately on 6 Oct 1861 while searching for NGC 5808.  d'Arrest was uncertain if his nebula was identical to III-311 and Dreyer catalogued it separately as NGC 5819.  Dreyer claimed d'Arrest's nebula "is not in the middle between two stars 6' apart" but there are two mag 11.5 stars at 4' separation to the NW and SE.  Karl Reinmuth concluded NGC 5808 = NGC 5819, based on Heidelberg plate.  This galaxy is generally labeled NGC 5819, although the primary designation should be NGC 5808, based on Herschel's earlier discovery.

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NGC 5809 = MCG -02-38-025 = PGC 53624

15 00 52.3 -14 09 55; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 145°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, almost even surface brightness, no noticeable core.  A mag 13 star is 2.6' E.  Located 6.1' ESE of a mag 10 star.  The NGC 5801, NGC 5802, NGC 5803 trio is located 15' N.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5809 = h3586 on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; S; E; gradually little brighter middle."  His single position matches MCG -02-38-025 = PGC 53624.

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NGC 5810 = ESO 581-018 = MCG -03-38-046 = PGC 53711

15 02 42.6 -17 52 05; Lib

V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 31°

 

17.5" (6/29/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', broad weak concentration.  Bracketed by two mag 14/15 stars off the north and south ends [48" and 41" from center, respectively].

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5810 = LM 1-218 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "eF, vS, lE 230°, bet 2 vF stars."  His rough position (nearest min of RA and arcmin of Dec) is 1.5 min of RA west and 1' north of ESO 581-018 and his description matches this galaxy.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-1900 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5811 = MCG +00-38-015 = CGCG 020-043 = LGG 392-002 = PGC 53597

15 00 27.2 +01 37 25; Vir

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 E-W, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 1.8' SW of center.  Member of the NGC 5846 group with NGC 5814 12' E and NGC 5813 11' NE.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5811 = m 285 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, S, iR."  His position is 1' north of CGCG 020-043 = PGC 53597.  This is an overlapping double system.

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NGC 5812 = MCG -01-38-016 = UGCA 398 = PGC 53630

15 00 55.7 -07 27 26; Lib

V = 11.2;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

 

18" (6/13/07): bright, moderately large, round, sharply concentrated with an intense 30" core that gradually increases to the center surrounded by a fairly large, low surface brightness halo extending to ~1.7'.  Forms a pair with IC 1084 4.8' ESE.  A nice asterism of 4 stars in a triangular pattern lies 5' E.  The IC galaxy appeared faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 25"x20".

 

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 1' diameter to halo, gradually increases to a prominent core containing an almost stellar nucleus.  Located 20' WNW of mag 6.4 SAO 140281.  Forms a close pair with IC 1084 4.8' ESE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5812 = H. I-71 = h3587 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 380) and recorded "cB, but vS, almost stellar; the brightness diminishing insensibly and breaking off pretty abruptly.  The whole together is not more than about 7 or 8" in diameter."  A second observation, made on a "remarkably clear morning" states "the greatest brightness is towards the following side, and that the very faint nebulosity extends to near a minute."

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NGC 5813 = UGC 9655 = MCG +00-38-016 = CGCG 020-045 = Holm 688a = LGG 393-001 = PGC 53643

15 01 11.2 +01 42 07; Vir

V = 10.5;  Size 4.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, high surface brightness, increases to a small bright core, substellar nucleus.  Located at the exact center of a diamond asterism formed by two mag 12 stars 2.8' W and 2.6' E and two mag 12/13 stars 2.9' N and 3.0' S!  NGC 5813 is a member of the NGC 5846 group with NGC 5814 5' SE.  Located 35' SW of 109 Virginis (V = 4.4).

 

8": fairly faint, small, round, small bright nucleus.  Surrounded by four stars of similar magnitudes!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5813 = H. I-127 = h1896 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "cB, pS, mbM."  On 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144), John Herschel logged, "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 40"."

 

John Herschel's first observation, though, of NGC 5813 was on 29 May 1821 while being instructed on sweeping techniques by his 82 year old father.  His Aunt Caroline recorded his description: "A faint nebula, extended from north to south, gradually brighter in the middle, 3' long and 2' broad, 20' following a very bright star."  About 4 1/2 minutes later he recorded NGC 5846 and 5850.

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NGC 5814 = MCG +00-38-017 = CGCG 020-046 = Holm 688b = PGC 53653

15 01 21.1 +01 38 13; Vir

V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very weakly concentrated but no well-defined core.  Forms a pair with NGC 5813 5' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5814 = h1897 on 13 Apr 1828 while observing NGC 5813 (discovered by his father).  He noted "vF; vS; R."  His position was 1.4' too far south.

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NGC 5815 = MCG -03-38-044 = PGC 53600

15 00 29.2 -16 50 02; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 20°

 

17.5": faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter (only viewed core), weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.4' NNE of center.  Located 20' SE of NGC 5796.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5815 = LM 1-219 on 15 Feb 1886 and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.8' E 10°.  Faint double star(?) involved in neb."  His rough position is 1.2 minutes of RA east of MCG -03-38-044 and his position angle of 10° fits this galaxy.  Herbert Howe reported in his series of NGC observations in the late 1890's that "I could not find any nebula in the NGC place for this, but 100 seconds preceding was a nebula which answered the description of 5815, except that I saw no 'D * involved.'  But the seeing was not very good."  His micrometric position was accurate.

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NGC 5816 = PGC 902544

15 00 04.8 -16 05 37; Lib

V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 95°

 

18" (6/21/09): extremely faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  This difficult galaxy was visible nearly continuously with averted.  Located 7.7' NE of NGC 5817.  The NGC identifications of these two galaxies is uncertain.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5816 = LM 1-220, along with NGC 5817, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His description is "mag 11.0, 0.8' dia, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, stellar."  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA), though 2 min of RA west and 2.5' north is PGC 902544.  If this identification is correct, then NGC 5817, which Stone placed 4' south, applies to MCG -03-38-041 = PGC 53567.  The actual separation in declination is 5'.  But Stone's magnitude (11.0) would have to apply to MCG -03-38-041, which is about 1.5 magnitudes brighter than PGC 902544.  Herbert Howe searched for the pair around 1900, but only reported a position for NGC 5817, so he apparently missed PGC 902544 with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 5817 = MCG -03-38-041 = PGC 53567

14 59 40.8 -16 10 49; Lib

V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

18" (6/21/09): faint, small, round, very weak concentration, 20" diameter.  An extremely faint galaxy (possibly NGC 5816) lies 7.7' NE.

 

17.5" (6/30/00): faint, very small, round, 20"-25" diameter, weak concentration.  Occasionally a very faint stellar nucleus was seen with direct vision.  Collinear with two stars to the WSW [3.5' and 6'] and a 15th magnitude star close ENE [1.5'] is also on this line.  MCG +03-38-042 lies 13' SE (see observation).

 

This galaxy is located 2.5 minutes of RA west of Ormond Stone's position and the NGC identification is uncertain (it may be NGC 5816 as Stone listed it as 3 magnitudes brighter than NGC 5817) .

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5817 = LM 1-221, along with NGC 5816, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He recorded "mag 14.0, 0.8' dia, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, stell."  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA), but 2.5 minutes of RA west is MCG -03-38-041.  Herbert Howe's corrected position in his series of NGC/IC observations in Monthly Notices matches MCG -03-38-041, although he doesn't mention NGC 5816.  See notes on NGC 5816 for more on this pair.

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NGC 5818 = UGC 9643 = MCG +08-27-046 = CGCG 248-039 = PGC 53530

14 58 58.3 +49 49 17; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, broad concentration.  Located 7' W of mag 8.4 SAO 29374 7' E.  NGC 5828 lies 20' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5818 = Sw. 6-73 on 23 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; R; bet 2 stars; an eF * involved."  His position is 1.7' north of UGC 9643 and his comment "between 2 stars" applies to two mag 11/12 stars 2' north and 3' south.

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NGC 5819 = NGC 5808: = UGC 9609 = CGCG 337-023 = PGC 53251

14 54 02.9 +73 07 54; UMi

V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (6/27/98): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.9' diameter, nearly even surface brightness.  Located between two mag 11.5 stars 2.0' NW and 2.4' SSE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5819 on 6 Oct 1861 while searching for H. III-311 [= NGC 5808] with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position is off by 22 sec of RA (only 1.6' at this declination), but his comment "forms a triangle with two mag 11 stars" clinches this identification.  He noted this nebula was is the vicinity of Herschel's object and questioned if it was identical.  It is, but Herschel's position was 1 minute of RA too small and Dreyer assumed the two observations referred to different nebulae.  So, NGC 5819 = NGC 5808.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 11 Jul 1896. See notes for NGC 5808.

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NGC 5820 = Arp 136 = UGC 9642 = MCG +09-25-001 = CGCG 273-038 = CGCG 274-004 = Holm 687b = LGG 395-005 = PGC 53511

14 58 39.8 +53 53 09; Boo

V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

18" (5/3/08): brighter member of a 3.6' pair with NGC 5821.  At 280x it appeared bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.1'x0.5', contains a small bright core.  Located 8' WNW of SHJ 191 = 6.8/7.6 at 40".  It helped to keep this bright pair out of the field while observing NGC 5821.

 

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 5821 3.7' NE.  Located 8' W of the wide double star ADS 9474 = 6.8/7.4 at 40".

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5820 = H. II-756 = h1898 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842) and recorded "considerably faint, pretty large, irregular figure, resolvable."  It was discovered using a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view.  John Herschel called this object "B; R; suddenly brighter middle; precedes a splendid double star [H. N. 63 = SHJ 191]."

 

Samuel Hunter observed NGC 5820 and 5821 on 29 Apr 1861 with the 72" and wrote, "[NGC 5820] is vB, E pf and has Nucl, about 2' ssf [of NGC 5820] is an eeF, S neb., 3' f [NGC 5820] is a F neb or possibly a D * [it is a double star]; 3 nf is a F, pL neb [NGC 5821], very gradually brighter middle to a dull nucl."  At 1.7' SSE of NGC 5820 is SBS1457+540 = LEDA 140436 at V = 15.7.  Although this galaxy is quite faint, it matches Hunter's position and within the magnitude range of the 72".  Dreyer added a note later that "the eeF neb would appear to be a nova", but perhaps because it wasn't confirmed on another observation he didn't include it in the NGC.

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NGC 5821 = UGC 9648 = MCG +09-25-002 = CGCG 273-039 = CGCG 274-005 = Holm 687a = LGG 395-006 = PGC 53532

14 59 00.0 +53 55 23; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 148°

 

18" (5/3/08): This is the fainter northeast galaxy forming Arp 136.  At 280x it appeared faint, moderately large, elongated ~2:1 NW-SE, 1.1'x0.6', low even surface brightness.  Located 3.7' NE of NGC 5820 and 6' NW a wide bright pair of mag 7 stars.  It helped to keep this bright pair outside the field.

 

17.5" (5/23/87): very faint, diffuse, elongated NW-SE.  Two bright stars ADS 9474 = 6.8/7.4 at 40" located 6' SE interfere with viewing.  Located 3.7' NE of brighter NGC 5820.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5821 = H. III-811 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 927) and recorded "vF, S, E."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is poor, but his offset from NGC 5820 is points to UGC 9648.  Bindon Stoney independently discovered this galaxy on 6 Apr 1851 at Birr Castle and JH assigned two GC designations to both observations but Dreyer combined these in the NGC.

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NGC 5822 = Cr 289 = ESO 176-009

15 04 28 -54 23 24; Lup

Size 40'

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): overfills the 110x (22 Panoptic) field of 37'.  Roughly 150 stars are resolved, most fairly similar in magnitude.  Many of the stars are notably arranged in long sprays and curving loops.

 

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent open cluster at 76x (27 Panoptic).  Appears very large, fairly rich, with the main body extended ~WNW-ESE and with dimensions  ~40'x25' with roughly 150 stars resolved.  The stars are fairly uniform in brightness (many mag 11 and 12) and convincingly arranged in loops and chains surrounded by voids.  The outline is quite irregular but well defined by the star chains around the periphery.  One chain detaches from the main group near the center and heads south and the outline tapers at the following end.  Easy in 10x30 IS binoculars, 7° NE of Alpha Centauri.

 

8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): roughly 60 stars mag 9-12 resolved at 63x.  Very large, 40' diameter, almost fills the low power field, elongated ~NW-SE.  Spread out with no central condensation.  Many stars have similar magnitudes.  The stars forming the borders are arranged in rows and arcs with many empty gaps inside this outline.  There is an extension of stars to the south.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5822 = D 357 = h3588 on 5 Jun 1826.  His single observation reads, "a very extensive cluster of small mixt stars, irregular figure - there seems to be a congregation in different parts of the cluster or the appearance of breaking up.  There are several groups already formed, the whole cluster is composed of groups or lines of stars, but no general attraction to any particular point."  His handwritten notebook position (now digitized online) is 14h 50m -53° 43' (1830), at the west edge of the cluster and the description is a very good match.  But he miscopied the RA into his published catalog as 14h 15m, which happens to place D 357 about 20' NE of NGC 5593.  As a result, Dreyer credited Dunlop with the discovery of NGC 5593, instead of NGC 5822.

 

John Herschel observed NGC 5822 on 3 Jul 1836 (sweep 711) and was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  He called it a "cluster, vL, coarse, but rich and fine; diam in RA = 2 field in PD 25 (30' and 45'); stars 9, 10, 11, 12. General middle taken."  His position was on the east side of the cluster.

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NGC 5823 = Cr 290 = ESO 176-011 = Mel 131

15 05 31 -55 36 12; Cir

V = 7.9;  Size 10'

 

18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a rich, fairly impressive cluster using the 27 Panoptic (76x) with at least 80 stars resolved in a 9'x7' area including numerous 11-13th magnitude stars.  A number of stars are bunched towards the center.  The periphery is well defined by curving sprays of stars roughly forming a heart-shape.  Two 10th magnitude stars mark the NW and SW corners of the cluster.  Perhaps 100-120 stars are resolved at 228x with a number of stars in pairs, trios, small groups, strings and arcs forming a very pretty cluster.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5823 = D 351 = h3589 on 8 May 1826 and described it on 9 June as a "pretty large cluster of small stars resembling faint nebula, general figure round, south preceding 2 Pyxidis [HD 134270]."  His unpubished notes also mention it was "about 8' or 9' diameter surrounded by small star on the south side and also partially enclosed by a border of very small stars on the north side."

 

John Herschel made a single observation in Apr 1836 (sweep 694) and noted "Cluster class VII; a fine large cluster of separate stars 13..14th mag, 10' diameter; not much compressed in the middle; nearly fills the field."  JH and Dreyer failed to Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 5824 = NGC 5834 = ESO 387-001

15 03 58.4 -33 04 04; Lup

V = 8.0;  Size 6.2';  Surf Br = 0.4

 

17.5" (6/3/00): moderately bright globular, small, ~2.5' diameter.  It contained a sharply concentrated 1' core that was very prominent, surrounded by a symmetric 2.5' halo.  I didn't see any definite resolution at 500x although the halo was mottled and one or two "sparkles" were glimpsed (one at the SE end of halo).

 

8" (6/5/81): small, bright core.

 

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 5824 in 1882 with his 5-inch refractor in Nashville. In the German Journal "Astronomische Nachrichten" 115, p. 323-328 (1886) he gave an accurate micrometric position and mentions "this nebula is recorded in GC 4036 [= NGC 5834] as eeF?  I have frequently seen it since 1882.  Presuming that the nebula observed by me is identical with GC 4036, the place in GC, as well as the description is erroneous."  In Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5, p.255, he also gave a corrected position and described this globular (through the 6" Cooke refractor) as "B; S; R; very very much brighter middle; probably a stellar nucleus."  NGC 5834 refers to an observation by John Herschel at very low altitude on 9 May 1834

 

Despite Barnard's corrected position and description, Dreyer assigned numbers (NGC 5824 and 5834) to both observations, probably because the positions and descriptions were so disparate.  But Dreyer was eventually convinced of Barnard's superior observation and in the IC 1 'Notes and Corrections' section commented "NGC 5834 to be struck out, is = NGC 5824." Due to this comment, the globular is referred to as NGC 5824 despite the earlier observation from Herschel.

 

James Dunlop made the first observation of NGC 5824 on 10 May 1826, though he was not credited in the NGC or IC.  He described D 611 (based on 4 observations in May and June) as "a very singular body resembling a star with a burr.  The light is equal to that of a star of the 7th and 8th magnitude, and the diameter is not sensibly larger, with various magnifying powers.  This has the appearance of a bright nucleus, surrounded by a strong brush of light; and the nebulosity surrounding the bright point has not that softness which nebulae in general possess.  I consider this different from nebulae in general."  His published position was nearly 30' too far west (though his first position was 15' to the east).

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NGC 5825 = NGC 5778??

14 54 31.4 +18 38 32; Boo

 

See observing notes for NGC 5778.  Identification very uncertain and may be lost.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5825 = Sw. 4-16 on 20 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; pB star close f; easily overlooked."  There is nothing near his position.  Bigourdan was unable to locate a candidate and RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

 

Interestingly, his description for NGC 5825 is nearly identical to NGC 5778 (which also mentions a "pB star close f"), found by Swift on the same night, and their declinations are similar.  But his RA for NGC 5825 is 7 min 40 sec too large.  Corwin mentions the possibility Swift made an error and recorded NGC 5778 twice, botching the RA for NGC 5825.  Otherwise, NGC 5825 appears to be lost.

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NGC 5826 = NGC 5870 = UGC 9725 = MCG +09-25-016 = CGCG 274-017 = PGC 53949

15 06 33.8 +55 28 44; Dra

 

See observing notes for NGC 5870.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5826 = Sw. 1-39 on 9 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF, E, pL, * near, [GC] 4058 [= NGC 5866] in field."  There is nothing near his position, which is not in the field of NGC 5866.  Harold Corwin notes that his position is 7 min of RA west of NGC 5870 = Sw. 1-41, which Swift found again just two night later!  This galaxy fits in Swift's 32' eyepiece field and a mag 11 star is 1' following.

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NGC 5827 = UGC 9662 = MCG +04-35-024 = CGCG 134-066 = PGC 53676

15 01 53.7 +25 57 51; Boo

V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

 

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 11.5 star is 3.7' SW.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5827 = St. 11-30 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 2' SE of center.  He observed it again on 23 May 1871 as well as 22 May 1878.  An accurate position was reduced on 8 Jun 1880 (list 11, #30) with description "small nucleus of 14m surrounded by a rather fainter nebulosity, small, round, gradually condensing towards the center."

 

Truman Safford made an earlier discovery on 15 Jun 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  His position was 1.6' too far N (accurate in RA), though he was "doubtful" and didn't assign it a (Safford) number.

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NGC 5828 = UGC 9658 = MCG +08-27-051 = CGCG 248-043 = Holm 690a = PGC 53618

15 00 46.1 +49 59 36; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 50°

 

24" (6/13/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~0.6'x0.45', slightly brighter core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5828A just 40" S of center.  The companion appeared very faint and small, round, 8" diameter. Visible ~80-90% of the time with averted.

 

17.5" (6/18/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6'.  Forms a double system with NGC 5828A = MCG +08-27-052 just off the south edge (40" S of center).  A mag 14 star is 1.3' ENE.  NGC 5828A appeared extremely faint and small, round, visible intermittently with averted vision.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5828 = Sw. 9-43 on 24 Jun 1887 and recorded "eF; pS; R; between two stars."  The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and referenced to list VI in the NGC, but it was not published until 1890 in his 9th list.  Swift's position matches UGC 9658.  RNGC lists the two components of the double system as NGC 5828A and 5828B, though NED references the companion as NGC 5828A.  The main galaxy should be designated as NGC 5828 only and the companion, which apparently lies in the background, as PGC 53619.

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NGC 5829 = HCG 73A = Arp 42 NED2 = VV 7a = UGC 9673 = MCG +04-35-027 = CGCG 134-070 = PGC 53709

15 02 42.0 +23 20 01; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 45°

 

48" (5/3/19): at 375x; fairly bright, large, slightly elongated, 1.2'x1.0', well concentrated with a relatively large brighter core.  A bright mag 12.4 star is 1.2' W.  NGC 5829 is the brightest of 5 in the HCG 73 quintet with IC 4526 1.4' NW, HCG 73C 2.4' NE,  HCG 73D 3.3' NW and HCG 73E 2.5' WSW.  HCG 73E lies in the background.

 

73C: fairly faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, very small bright nucleus.

73D: nearly fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.3'x0.1'.

73E: faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~10"x7".  Nearly visible continuously with averted vision.

 

24" (7/11/18): at 225x; fairly faint to moderately bright, irregularly round, very small brighter core, low surface brightness halo, ~0.8'x0.6'.  A mag 12.4 star is 1.2' W, a mag 14.5 star 1.3' ESE and a mag 16.2 star is 1.3' NE.

 

Two other members of HCG 73 were visible; IC 4526 1.4' NW and HCG 73C 2.4' NE.  The latter galaxy appeared extremely faint and small, 10" diameter.  The mag 16.2 star is at the midpoint of NGC 5829 and HCG 73C.

 

18" (8/4/05): the brightest member in HCG 73 appeared faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3, ~0.6'x0.45', low surface brightness with very little concentration.  Located 1.2' E of a mag 12 star and a mag 14 star lies a similar distance east.

 

Forms a close pair with IC 4526 = HCG 73B 1.3' NW.  IC 4526 appeared extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides of 1' with NGC 5829 and a mag 12 star.  Once this difficult galaxy was noticed, it was visible most of the time using averted vision and concentration at 225x.  The pair forms Arp 42 ("spiral with LSB companion on arm").  The redshift of NGC 5829, though, is less than half that of HCG 73B, C and D, so is a foreground object.

 

17.5" (7/8/94): fairly faint, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W, 1.2'x0.9', very weak concentration, irregular or mottled surface brightness.  Located between a mag 11.5 star just off the west edge 1.2' from center and a mag 13.5 star 1.3' ESE of center.  This is the brightest member of HCG 73.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5829 = St. 12-68 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 2' S of center.  His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 11 May 1882 with description "vF, vL, irr R, bM."

 

The RA in the RNGC is 1.0 min of time too large.  The UGC incorrectly equates IC 4526 with NGC 5829, but IC 4526 is a separate galaxy close northwest.  Edwin Hubble, in the 1920 published version of his PhD dissertation "Photographic Investigations of Faint Nebulae", noted "IC 4526 is connected to NGC 5829. The two form a double nebula fashioned as a miniature of Messier 51.”  That bridge is illusionary, though, as IC 4526 lies far in the background (redshift over twice that of NGC 5829) and there is no physical connection.

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NGC 5830 = UGC 9670 = MCG +08-27-056 = CGCG 248-047 = PGC 53674

15 01 51.0 +47 52 31; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

 

17.5" (7/17/93): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration.  Located 5' SSW of mag 8.4 SAO 45341 and 24' NW of 44 Boo (close double with a very elongated and narrow orbit).

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5830 = Sw. 6-74 on 23 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R: B * nr following."  His position is 9 sec of RA west and 2' north of UGC 9670, but there is no bright star following.  There is a 9th magnitude star 3.8' north, which is probably the intended star.

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NGC 5831 = UGC 9678 = MCG +00-38-020 = CGCG 020-054 = LGG 393-002 = PGC 53770

15 04 07.0 +01 13 11; Vir

V = 11.5;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NNE of center.  Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5831 = H. II-540 = h1899 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "pB, S, mbM."

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NGC 5832 = UGC 9649 = MCG +12-14-015 = CGCG 337-025 = Kaz 409 = PGC 53469

14 57 45.3 +71 40 55; UMi

V = 12.1;  Size 3.7'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 45°

 

17.5" (6/27/98): appears as fairly large, irregularly round glow with an uneven surface brightness, at least 2.0' diameter, weak concentration.  The halo gradually fades into the background and difficult to pin down a position angle.  Collinear with a 1' pair of mag 11/12 stars 7' SSE.  Located 15' SW of mag 6.7 SAO 8140.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5832 = H. II-332 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389).  This was the first night he swept with the telescope pointing north (above the pole), instead of south. He recorded "pretty bright, considerably large, brightest towards the preceding side."  Caroline's positions is at the north edge the galaxy.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 14 Aug 1884.

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NGC 5833 = ESO 042-003 = LGG 397-002 = PGC 54250

15 11 54.1 -72 51 34; Aps

V = 12.0;  Size 3.1'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 128°

 

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~2.5'x1.8'.  Broad concentration with a large, brighter core.  Located 6' SW of mag 6 HD 133981.  Surrounded by a large number of nearby stars including a 50" pair of mag 10.8/11.6 stars ~2' N and a mag 7.9 star 4' ESE.  NGC 5822 lies 39' NW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5833 = h3590 on 4 Apr 1835 and recorded "eF; pmE; 25"."  His mean position (3 observations) is accurate.

 

NGC 5833 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as a "vE at 135° [NW-SE]."

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NGC 5834 = NGC 5824: = ESO 387-001

15 03 58.4 -33 04 04; Lup

V = 8.0;  Size 6.2'

 

See observing notes for NGC 5824.

 

John Herschel found NGC 5834 = h1900 on 9 May 1834 and recorded "a very strongly suspected nebula; but I cannot be quite sure (from the low altitude [of 6°]) it is not a star."  Due to his uncertainty he called it a "Nova?" in the Slough Catalogue.  He made no observations from the Cape and described it as "eeF" in the General Catalogue.  There is nothing at Herschel's position, but 30' W is the globular cluster NGC 5824 [discovered by Barnard independently and probably earlier by James Dunlop in 1826], which would have appeared quite faint and poorly defined at this altitude.  Dreyer commented in the IC 1 Notes section that "NGC 5834 to be struck out, is = NGC 5824."

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NGC 5835 = UGC 9674 = MCG +08-27-057 = CGCG 248-048 = PGC 53699

15 02 25.4 +48 52 40; Boo

V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (7/17/93): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' SW and a mag 15 star is at the NW tip 19" from center.  IC 4528 lies 16' NW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5835 = Sw. 6-75 on 23 Apr1887 and recorded "vF; pS; R."  His position is 1.8' north of UGC 9674 (same offset error as NGC 5830, discovered on the same night).

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NGC 5836 = UGC 9664 = MCG +12-14-016 = CGCG 337-026 = VII Zw 576 = PGC 53554

14 59 31.1 +73 53 36; UMi

V = 13.9;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

17.5" (6/27/98): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7' diameter.  A mag 14.5 star is attached at the south end just 20" from center.  The galaxy precedes a group of six mag 11/12 stars.  Located 40' SE of 2.1-mag Beta UMi (Kochab).

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5836 = H. III-312 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389). This was the first night he swept with the telescope pointing north (above the pole), instead of south.  He recorded "extremely faint, very small, little elongated, 2 vS stars visible in it."  There is nothing at the position, but 2.0 min of RA following and 3' N is UGC 9664 and a mag 14.5 star is involved.  Considering the difficulty in measuring accurate positions near the pole, this identification is nearly certain.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 18 Aug 1884 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5837 = UGC 9686 = MCG +02-38-036 = CGCG 076-144 = PGC 53817

15 04 40.6 +12 38 01; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  A very faint star or companion lies 1.4' NE.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5851 and NGC 5852 35' NE.  On the POSS, there is a very faint and small companion 1.5' NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5837 = Sw. 9-44 on 19 Jun 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R; D * nf points to it; planetary."  His position is just 6 seconds of time too small.  The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and referenced as list 6 in the NGC, but it wasn't published until his 9th list in 1890.  Swift's original description correctly notes "D * np" (the two stars are 5.5' northwest) and the list 9 comment "D * nf points to it" is in error.

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NGC 5838 = UGC 9692 = MCG +00-38-022 = CGCG 020-057 = LGG 392-004 = PGC 53862

15 05 26.2 +02 05 58; Vir

V = 10.9;  Size 4.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 43°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): bright, large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 3.5'x1.0'.  Dominated by a very bright core, stellar nucleus just visible, long fainter extensions.  The southwest extension heads towards a bright wide double star 6' SW of core (mag 8.3 SAO 120829 and a mag 11 companion at 46").  A mag 14 star is just west of the SW extension 2.3' from the center.  Located 38' E of 110 Virginis (V = 4.4).  Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5838 = H. II-542 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "pB".  His position is unusually accurate.  John Herschel made no observation but Johann von Lamont independently discovered this galaxy on 28 June 1837 with the 10.5-inch refractor at the Munich Observatory. Apparently Lamont was not aware of the earlier discovery of William Herschel.

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NGC 5839 = UGC 9693 = MCG +00-38-023 = CGCG 020-058 = LGG 392-004 = PGC 53865

15 05 27.5 +01 38 05; Vir

V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

 

24" (6/23/17): at 260x; bright, moderately large, round, 50" diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus surrounded by a much fainter halo of fairly even surface brightness.  A mag 11.8 star is 2' SSW.  First in a string with NGC 5845 8' E, NGC 5846/5846A 16' E and NGC 5850 26' ESE.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, moderate concentration down to a small bright core containing a substellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 5846 group with NGC 5845 10' E.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5839 = H. II-541 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and simply noted "faint".  Soon after in the sweep, he recorded NGC 5845 and NGC 5846 and at the end of the description he added "I saw also a third small one preceding."  This refers to NGC 5839, which he apparently didn't realize was already logged in the sweep path before NGC 5845 and 5846 were in the field. This was the second case where a galaxy was logged twice in close succession (earlier NGC 4754 on 15 Mar 1784).

 

John Herschel did not make any observations, but Heinrich d'Arrest logged it on 5 nights with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen, as well as Édouard Stephan at Marseilles on 30 May 1878.

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NGC 5840

15 04 18 +29 30; Boo

 

= Not found, RNGC.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5840 = Sw. 4-17 on 22 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeeF, pS, lE, ee diff[icult]."  There is nothing reasonably bright near his position that he might have picked up and his description doesn't refer to any nearby stars to aid in identifying the field.

 

RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and Harold Corwin also concludes NGC 5840 is probably lost.

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NGC 5841 = NGC 5848: = MCG +00-39-001 = CGCG 021-001 = PGC 53941

15 06 35.0 +02 00 18; Vir

 

See observing notes for NGC 5848.

 

Albert Marth found NGC 5841 = m 286 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, E."  There is nothing at his position but 1.0 min of RA east and 1' north is NGC 5848, discovered two years earlier by Heinrich d'Arrest.  So, NGC 5841 is likely a duplicate observation of this galaxy.  Based on photographs with the Crossley reflector at Lick in 1912-13, Heber Curtis selected  LEDA 1215798 as a possible candidate, but this galaxy is certainly too faint to have been picked up by Marth.  Karl Reinmuth reported NGC 5841 was not found on Heidelberg plates and Dorothy Carlson and the RNGC repeated this conclusion.

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NGC 5842 = MCG +04-36-003 = CGCG 135-005 = PGC 53831

15 04 52.1 +21 04 10; Boo

V = 14.7;  Size 0.45'x0.45';  Surf Br = 12.2

 

17.5" (7/8/94): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 0.9' N of center.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5842 = St. 12-69 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 2' SE of center.  His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 11 May 1882.

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NGC 5843 = ESO 387-004 = MCG -06-33-013 = PGC 53996

15 07 27.8 -36 19 40; Lup

V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 70°

 

17.5": moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x1.0'.  Increases to a 30" core and a quasi-stellar nucleus w/direct vision.  A pair of mag 11.5/13 stars to the south are nearly collinear [2.1' and 1.3'].  Located 6' ESE of mag 9 SAO 206303 and 15' ESSE of mag 6.3 SAO 206292.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5843 = h3592 on 3 May 1834 and recorded "eF; E; very little brighter middle; r; 15" length."  On a second observation he logged "vF; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 20"."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5844 = PK 317-5.1 = PN G317.1-05.7 = He 2-119 = ESO 099-1

15 10 41.0 -64 40 23; TrA

V = 12.1;  Size 68"x41"

 

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent view of this interesting object at 128x with a UHC filter.  Using this combination, the planetary appeared moderately bright and large with an irregular shape and surface brightness, but elongated ~0.9'x0.7' WSW-ENE, .  At 228x, the northeast end is brighter and larger and the center seems pinched in, particularly on the north side with a small, faint extension or knot on the southwest end.  Unfiltered at 228x, a fairly close double (B 832 = 9/10.5 at 5") lies 3' NE and a very close, faint double lies 1.3' SE of center.  Located 3° ENE of mag 3.2 Alpha Circini.

 

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly bright, moderately large planetary was quite interesting at 171x and a UHC filter.  It was elongated 3:2 E-W, ~55"x40".  It appeared brighter on the following end with an indentation or notch on the north side giving the impression of a bipolar structure.  Set in a rich Triangulum Australe star field 3' SW of a mag 9 double star (9/10.5 at 6").  Also a mag 10.5 star lies 2.5' E.

 

This object is listed in the PK and ESO-Strausberg catalogues as He 2-119 instead of NGC 5844 although John Herschel's position (from two observations) matches this planetary.  Also, it was listed as an unverified southern object in the RNGC and probably because of this error was not included in Sky Atlas 2000.0, Sky Catalogue 2000.0 or the first edition of the Uranometria 2000!

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5844 = h3591 on 2 May 1835 and recorded "pB; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 60"."  His position on two sweeps is accurate.  NGC 5844 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "Three very faint nebulae only" (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

 

This PN is listed in the PK and ESO-Strausberg catalogues as He 2-119 but the identification with NGC 5844 was only made recently!  RNGC classifies it an unverified southern object and it is not included in Sky Atlas 2000.0, Sky Catalogue 2000.0 and first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0!

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NGC 5845 = UGC 9700 = MCG +00-38-024 = CGCG 020-059 = Ark 468 = LGG 392-006 = PGC 53901

15 06 00.8 +01 38 02; Vir

V = 12.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 150°

 

24" (6/23/17): at 260x; bright, small, roundish, 25"x20".  Cntains a very bright, high surface brightness nucleus surrounded by a low surface brightness halo.  Situated halfway between NGC 5846/5846A 7' ESE and NGC 5839 8' W.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, extremely small, round, very small very bright core, extremely compact, about 20" diameter.  Appears like the bright nucleus of a galaxy without a halo.  Member of the NGC 5846 group with NGC 5846 8' ESE and NGC 5839 10' W.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5845 = H. III-511, along with NGC 5846 and NGC 5839, on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532).  He recorded, "[NGC 5846 is] very bright, pretty large, brighter middle. With one preceding [NGC 5845] just half the field; and 5' more north, and very faint, round.  I saw also a third small one preceding [NGC 5839]."  NGC 5839 was also noted just earlier in the sweep path.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured the position on 4 nights with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.

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NGC 5846 = UGC 9706 = MCG +00-38-025 = CGCG 020-061 = Holm 694a = LGG 393-003 = PGC 53932

15 06 29.3 +01 36 25; Vir

V = 10.0;  Size 4.1'x3.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

24" (6/23/17): at 375x; very bright, moderately large, round, 1.5'-2' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with an intensely bright nucleus that increases to the center.  Large, round halo gradually fades at periphery.  NGC 5846A is situated on the south side of the halo and appeared moderately bright, high surface brightness but very small and round, 15" diameter.

 

24" (6/14/15): bright, fairly large, round, 1.8' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness.  NGC 5846A is on the south side of the halo [44" from center].  It appeared as a fairly faint compact glow, round, 15" diameter, fairly high surface brightness.  A much fainter mag 15.5 star is superimposed 25" N of center.  NGC 5850 lies 10' SE.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 3'x2', evenly concentrated as halo brightens down to a small bright core but no nucleus, fainter halo.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 5846A (appears as a mag 13.5 "star") embedded in the southern portion of halo 40" from the center!  Brightest in a group with NGC 5850 10' ESE and NGC 5845 8' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5846 = H. I-128 = h1901, along with NGC 5845, on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532).  His description reads, "vB, pL, bM. With one preceding [NGC 5845] just half the field and 5' more north;  very faint, round.  I saw also a third small one preceding."  The "third small one preceding" perhaps refer to NGC 5839, which has a separate log entry.  On 13 Apr 1838, John Herschel logged "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle to a nucleus; 30" [diameter]."

 

John Herschel's first observation, though, of NGC 5846 was on 29 May 1821 while being instructed on sweeping techniques by his elderly father.  His Aunt Caroline recorded the observation: "F; R; gradually much brighter middle; resolvable; appears to have 2 nuclei; south following in the same field is a very small, round nebula."  James South also took a look and exclaimed (quoted in John's journal), "O! Good God!  It is worth going to the devil for!"  The second nuclei is NGC 5846A.  This short sweep (4 objects) was later registered out of order as sweep 53.  He observed NGC 5846 again the next night (sweep 54) and noted "The neb of last night with the 2 nuclei."  Guillaume Bigourdan also resolved the companion and noted Big. II-75 as "round, stellar centre, forms a very close companion to 4045 G.C. [NGC 5846]." 

 

In addition, on 25 Apr 1868 Edward Burton, the 4th Earl of Rosse's assistant, logged "h1901 [NGC 5846] is double, 3rd Nucleus suspected on n side."  The third nucleus is a faint star.  On 3 May 1877 Dreyer also noted "companion nebula [to NGC 5846] vS, less than 1' south."  But the following year he commented "small star (NOT a nebula) involved south."  This was likely the reason Dreyer did not enter NGC 5846A into the NGC. DeVaucouleurs introduced the NGC 5846A designation in the RC I.

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NGC 5847 = MCG +01-38-030 = CGCG 048-120 = PGC 53928

15 06 22.3 +06 22 47; Vir

V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 165°

 

17.5" (6/20/01): picked up at 64x with 31mm Nagler.  At 220x, appears very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness.  Situated 2.9' NE of a mag 10.4 star.  CGCG 48-111 lies 18' SW.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5847 = m 287 on 25 Mar 1865 and recorded "eF, S, iR."  His position matches CGCG 048-120 = PGC 53928.  NED notes this galaxy is mistakenly called a "double system" in the CGCG.

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NGC 5848 = NGC 5841: = MCG +00-39-001 = CGCG 021-001 = PGC 53941

15 06 35.0 +02 00 18; Vir

V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (7/3/97): faint, small, nearly round, 25" diameter, well-defined brighter core.  No significant elongation noted (extensions are much fainter on DSS).  An easy pair of mag 12.5/13.5 stars lie 6.5' SSE.  Located 25' N of NGC 5846 and a member of the group (LGG 393).

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5848 on 6 May 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (2 observations) is on the northwest end of CGCG 021-001 = PGC 53941.  Albert Marth independently found this galaxy on 12 Apr 1864, but his position was 1.0 min of RA too far west and it was catalogued as NGC 5841.  So, NGC 5848 = NGC 5841.  CGCG and MCG both label this galaxy NGC 5848 (only).

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NGC 5849 = MCG -02-38-035 = PGC 53962

15 06 50.6 -14 34 19; Lib

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): very faint, small, round, low surface brightness.  Several fairly bright stars are nearby including mag 8.5 HD 133861 5' SE, mag 8.2 HD 133912 (the galaxy is collinear with these stars) and mag 8.0 HD 134013 16' ESE.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5849 = LM 1-222 on 6 Jun 1885 and recorded "*13 inv in vF neb.  3 stars preceding 1 sec [of RA], *8 follows 10 sec of RA, 15' S."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 15 sec of RA following MCG -02-38-035.  The first part of his description is appropriate, although there appears to be just two stars or a star + galaxy preceding), but the mag 8 star is placed incorrectly.

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NGC 5850 = UGC 9715 = MCG +00-39-002 = CGCG 021-006 = PGC 53979

15 07 07.8 +01 32 47; Vir

V = 10.8;  Size 4.3'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 140°

 

24" (6/23/17): at 260x; fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated.  Contains a small, bright nucleus (round) ~25" diameter with extensions (central bar) NW-SE, mimicking a lenticular galaxy.  A very low surface brightness, roundish halo appears to surround the bar, but no structure seen.  NGC 5850 is the last in a string of bright galaxies with NGC 5846/5846A 10' WNW, NGC 5845 17' WNW and NGC 5639 26' WNW.

 

24" (6/14/15): at 200x; moderately bright and large, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a relatively large bright core ~30" in diameter.  A very faint bar stretches northwest to southeast from the bright core, with a total diameter of 2'.  The bar is within an extremely faint halo (ring on images).  The bar is easier to see at 260x.  Forms a prominent pair with NGC 5846 10' NW.

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated.  Unusual appearance as the large bright core dominates the galaxy but there are very faint larger extensions (this is the central bar) very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE clearly seen with averted.  There is a very large difference between the surface brightness of the core and the bar!  Two mag 12 stars lie 2' N.  A mag 11 star 5.5' NW is midway between NGC 5850 and NGC 5846 which lies 10' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5850 = H. II-543 = h1902 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and simply noted "F".  On 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144), John Herschel recorded "pF; S; lE; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.  His first observation, though, was on 29 May 1821 while being instructed on sweeping techniques by his 82-year old father.  After describing NGC 5846 to his Aunt Caroline, he noted "south following in the same field is a very small, round, nebula."

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NGC 5851 = UGC 9714 = MCG +02-38-044 = CGCG 077-008 = Holm 697a = WBL 543-002 = PGC 53965

15 06 53.4 +12 51 32; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 43°

 

24" (6/13/15): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~40"x14", weak concentration.  Second in a trio with NGC 5852 1.1' SE and CGCG 077-007 1.8' WSW.  Mag 10.7 HD 133925 lies 3.1' NW.  CGCG 077-007 appeared extremely faint, small, 15"x10".

 

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  A mag 10 star is 3.1' NW.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5852 1.0' SE within the NGC 5837 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5851 = H. III-886, along with NGC 5852, on 26 May 1791 (sweep 1001).  He described both as "Two, extremely faint, very small, about 1 1/2' distance from each other; the preceding [NGC 5851] is the most north.  300x shewed them very plainly."  There were no additional observations by John Herschel, Lord Rosse, or d'Arrest.

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NGC 5852 = MCG +02-38-045 = CGCG 077-010 = Holm 697b = WBL 543-003 = PGC 53974

15 06 56.4 +12 50 48; Boo

V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 130°

 

24" (6/13/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~0.5'x0.4', small bright core increases to the center.  Third in a trio with NGC 5851 1.1' NW and CGCG 077-007 2.5' W.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 5851 1.0' NW.  Member of the NGC 5837 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5852 = H. III-887, along with NGC 5851, on 26 May 1791 (sweep 1001). He described both as "Two, extremely faint, very small, about 1 1/2' distance from each other; the preceding is the most north.  300x shewed them very plainly."

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NGC 5853 = UGC 9707 = MCG +07-31-030 = CGCG 221-027 = PGC 53894

15 05 53.3 +39 31 20; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (7/17/93): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, broad weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5853 = St. 12-70 on 1 Jun 1877, with a second observation on 3 Jun 1878.  His micrometric position (measured on 19 May 1881) matches UGC 9707.

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NGC 5854 = UGC 9726 = MCG +01-39-001 = CGCG 049-009 = LGG 393-005 = PGC 54013

15 07 47.6 +02 34 06; Vir

V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 55°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, very bright core, stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 12 star lies 1.8' ESE of center.  Located 5.1' ESE of a mag 9 star.  Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5854 = H. II-544 = h1903 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and simply noted "pB".  On 27 May 1786 (sweep 567) he wrote "F, vS."  On 22 May 1832 (sweep 427), John Herschel logged: "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 12"; among stars."

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NGC 5855 = CGCG 049-010 = PGC 54014

15 07 49.0 +03 59 03; Vir

V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.6'

 

17.5" (7/3/97): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very weak concentration to an occasional stellar nucleus.  A wide pair of mag 12/13 at  36" separation lies 1.7' NE.  Located 8' NW of mag 7.7 SAO 120858.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5855 = Sw. 6-76 on 30 Mar 1887 and recorded "eF; S; R; 2 pB stars nr following."  His position and description matches CGCG 049-010 = PGC 54014.

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NGC 5856 = SAO 101379

15 07 20.2 +18 26 32; Boo

V = 6.0

 

= *6.0 (SAO 101379), Reinmuth.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5856 = H. IV-71 = h1904 = HD 134064 on 24 May 1791 (sweep 1006).  He recorded "a star 7.6m, enveloped in extensive milky neby; but I am not sure whether there many not be a perception till I have another star of about the same size."  A little later in the sweep he noted another star 7m "perfectly free from any nebulosity, so that the foregoing star must certainly be involved in extensive nebulosity; probably unconnected with the star."  John Herschel commented "A star of fully 6m, with a supposed nebulous appearance about it, but of whose reality I cannot satisfy myself, as it 'blinks' with the star behind the wire."  As JH suspected, this star is free of nebulosity.

 

Birr Castle assistent R.J. Mitchell agreed that the "atmosphere seems to exist" (10 May 1855) and on 1 Apr 1878 assistant John Dreyer noted "*6m; seemed nebulous, but it is doubtful, eyepiece inclined to dew."  Dreyer mentioned in the IC 1 notes that "no nebulosity seen by Bigourdan".  Father Hagen also found "no neb around *6.1" in the Vatican Zone Catalogue.

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NGC 5857 = UGC 9724 = MCG +03-39-004 = CGCG 106-005 = LGG 394-002 = PGC 53995

15 07 27.5 +19 35 58; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 137°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core.  Forms a striking close duo with NGC 5859 2.1' ESE with identical position angles.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5857 = H. II-751 = h1905, along with NGC 5859, on 27 Apr 1788 (sweep 834) and recorded "Two, the 1st [NGC 5857] cF, cS.  The 2nd pF, pL, both lE."  The next night he observed the pair again (sweep 835) and noted "both E from np to sf, but nearer the parallel."  John Herschel logged and sketched (fig. 77) "a double nebula; pos of the individuals, centre from centre, 20° np; 2' dist."  He gave a single designation (h1905) for both galaxies in the Slough catalog.

 

A series of observations were made at Birr Castle of the pair.  On 28 Apr 1848, Lord Rosse noted "[I] think the distance between the 2 neb greater than h's drawing."  On 11 Apr 1850, assistant George Johnstone Stoney remarked, "the two nebulae not in a line and a faint connection suspected."  On 17 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell recorded "these two nebulae are not in a line, but run parallel to one another in the direction of the major axis, dist between them considerable, but faint neby suspected connecting them. On 9 May 1861, Samuel Hunter commented "bright brightest parts of both are elongated and *not* parallel to each other nor in the same straight line, but as shown [Plate 28, Fig. 31 in the 1861 publication]."

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NGC 5858 = MCG -02-39-002 = PGC 54075

15 08 49.1 -11 12 29; Lib

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

 

24" (6/22/17): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~50"x30", fairly high surface brightness,  small bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.8' W and a mag 13.7 star is 1.8' ESE.  Nearly at midpoint of a line connecting NGC 5861 9.5' SE and IC 1090 9.6' NW.

 

13.1" (6/11/83 and 7/5/83): fairly bright, very small, small bright nucleus.  NGC 5861 lies 9.5' SE.

 

Edward Holden discovered NGC 5858 on 14 May 1882 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at Washburn Observatory. He recorded "F, S, stell Nuc, np GC 4055 [NGC 5861]."  The discovery was listed in the Publications of the Washburn Observatory, Vol II, p101.  Édouard Stephan made observations of NGC 5861 on 22 May and 30 May 1878, but didn't make any comments on this dates regarding nearby companions.

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NGC 5859 = UGC 9728 = MCG +03-39-005 = CGCG 106-007 = LGG 394-003 = PGC 54001

15 07 34.8 +19 34 58; Boo

V = 12.4;  Size 2.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 136°

 

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 NW-SE, brighter along the major axis.  Larger and brighter though similar position angle to companion NGC 5857 2.1' WNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5859 = H. II-752 = h1905, along with NGC 5857, on 27 Apr 1788 (sweep 833) and recorded "Two, the 1st [NGC 5857] cF, cS.  The 2nd pF, pL, both lE."  See NGC 5857 for observations at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5860 = UGC 9717 = MCG +07-31-033 = CGCG 221-028 = Mrk 480 = I Zw 102 = PGC 53939

15 06 33.6 +42 38 28; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5

 

48" (5/12/18): at 488x; the small bright core of NGC 5860 appeared slightly elongated, ~25" diameter, and was surrounded by a low surface brightness halo of ~35"-40".  The core contained twin nuclei that were quite prominent and easily resolved at 9" separation.  The southern nucleus was quite bright and very small, ~4" diameter.  The fainter northern nucleus (14th mag?) was stellar or quasi-stellar (diameter at most 2").  A mag 15.4 star is 1.0' NNE.

 

24" (7/1/16): at 500x; NGC 5860 is a merged pair of compact ellipticals in a common halo with the nuclei separated by only 9"!   Overall the glow was fairly faint, fairly small, round and punctuated by a small bright nucleus (the southern component).  The northern nucleus (listed in NED as NGC 5860 NED02) was fainter and quasi-stellar, perhaps 3"-4" diameter, and cleanly separated at 500x.  A wide, equal pair of mag 13.3/13.4 stars lies 3' WNW and a third mag 13 star is 2' SW.

 

17.5" (7/15/93): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1.1' NNE.  Follows an arc of three mag 13 stars aligned NW-SE; the closest star of the three is 2.2' SW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5860 = h1906 on 17 Apr 1830 and logged "F' R' gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His position (measured on two consecutive sweeps) matches UGC 9717.  This is a merged double system with two nuclei.

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NGC 5861 = MCG -02-39-003 = PGC 54097

15 09 16.0 -11 19 20; Lib

V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

 

24" (6/21 and 6/22/17): at 375x; moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x1.2', broad weak concentration, slightly brighter core/nucleus.  The halo exhibited evidence of spiral structure with slightly brighter and darker regions.  Last in a collinear trio with NGC 5858 9.5' NW and IC 1091 19' NW.

 

Supernova 2017erp, discovered 8 days earlier on 13 Jun, was easily visible as a mag 13.5-14 stellar object on the SSW edge of the halo.

 

13.1" (6/11/83 and 7/5/83): fairly large, very diffuse, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, fairly low even surface brightness.  Located 2.5' NNE of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 5858 9.5' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5861 = H. II-192 on 9 May 1784 (sweep 210) and recorded "Faintish, pL and broad, lE, r, nearly of equal brightness throughout; the extension almost in the meridian; many stars in the field with it."  Stephan made observations on 22 May 1878 and 30 May 1878.

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NGC 5862 = CGCG 274-015 = PGC 53900

15 06 03.2 +55 34 26; Dra

V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

 

17.5" (6/20/87): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold with averted.  Located 7' SE of mag 7.6 SAO 29401.  NGC 5866 (M102) lies 13' NNE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5862 = Sw. 1-40 on 11 Jun 1885 and recorded "eF; pS; R; v Diff; 3 stars in a line point to it; [GC] 4058 [= NGC 5866]."  His position is 7 sec east and 1' north of CGCG 274-015 = PGC 53900 and his description applies.

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NGC 5863 = ESO 581-022 = MCG -03-39-001 = PGC 54160

15 10 48.3 -18 25 52; Lib

V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 21°

 

17.5" (7/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3, 0.7'x0.5', weak even concentration, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus flickers with direct vision.  Situated between a mag 13.5 star 2' E and a mag 14.5 star 2' W.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5863 = LM 1-223 = Big. 189 in 1886 and recorded "S, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, *12 in eF neb."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 35 seconds of RA west too small.  Bigourdan found this galaxy again on 30 Apr 1889, assumed it was new and reported it as Big. 189.  His position was 5' too far south (accurate in RA). Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1906 using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory.

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NGC 5864 = UGC 9740 = MCG +01-39-002 = CGCG 049-015 = LGG 393-006 = PGC 54111

15 09 33.6 +03 03 11; Vir

V = 11.8;  Size 2.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 68°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.6, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 30" ESE of center. Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5864 = H. II-585 = h1907 on 27 May 1786 (sweep 567) and noted "F, cS."  John Herschel made 3 observations and first recorded (sweep 143) "pB; S; E; has a * 14m closely following."

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NGC 5865 = NGC 5868 = UGC 9743 = MCG +00-39-007 = CGCG 021-023 = PGC 54118

15 09 49.1 +00 31 47; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 66°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 4.0' ENE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5869 3.6' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5865 = H. II-684, during a reobservation of NGC 5869 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 727). He described both as "Two, pretty bright, small, little extended."  NGC 5869 (the southern galaxy) was discovered early on 24 Feb 1786, but the fainter northern galaxy was missed.  Wolfgang Steinicke notes the earlier observation was made at the Newtonian focus, but the second used the front-view without a secondary, resulting in a brighter image.  Herschel mistakenly assigned II. 684 to NGC 5869, instead of NGC 5865, and this caused later confusion.

 

NGC 5868, found by d'Arrest on 27 Apr 1882, is a reobservation of NGC 5865.  John Herschel thought d'Arrest had seen a new object and assigned it a GC designation because of the difference in position.  Dreyer sorted things out correctly and equated NGC 5865 = NGC 5868 in his 1912 update of William Herschel's catalogues.  By prior discovery, NGC 5865 should be the primary designation, but this galaxy is known as NGC 5868.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 5869 as NGC 5865.

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NGC 5866 = UGC 9723 = MCG +09-25-017 = CGCG 274-016 = LGG 396-001 = PGC 53933

15 06 29.3 +55 45 49; Dra

V = 9.9;  Size 4.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 128°

 

48" (4/21/17): at 488x and 697x; NGC 5866 is a spectacular lenticular (S0/a) with a razor-thin dust lane perfectly bisecting the galaxy. Overall the galaxy is extremely bright, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, roughly 4'x1.35'.  The main spindle contains an intensely bright, bulging oval core that is nearly perfectly bisected by an extremely narrow dust lane.  The outer portion of the halo has a low surface brightness and increases in size with averted vision.  A mag 11.3 star is at the northwest edge of the halo and a mag 12.2 star is just off the southwest side, 1.4' from center.  Also a mag 15.5 star is superimposed on the northwest halo [1.6' from center].  NGC 5867, one of the faintest in the NGC, lies 2' SE.  SDSS J150631.55+554348.9, an 18th magnitude galaxy, was marginally glimpsed 2.0' SSE of center.

 

24" (7/6/13): at 200x appeared extremely bright, large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, spindle shaped, well concentrated with a blazing oval core.  A very thin, low contrast dust lane bisects the galaxy and is most evident along the central bulging core.  The outer halo is much fainter and extends ~3.25'x1.25'.  A mag 11.3 star is just off the NW flank, 1.6' from center and a mag 12.2 star is off the SW side 1.4' from center.  At 322x, NGC 5867 was picked up 1.0' SSE of the mag 12.2 star as a very faint 8" glow, held continuously with averted vision.  NGC 5866B, situated 47' E, appeared faint, ~1' in diameter, slightly elongated N-S, very low surface brightness.  Seems to have a small slightly brighter central region.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 3.0'x1.5', bulging bright core.  This galaxy has a high surface brightness and a mottled surface.  Just a hint of the razor-thin dust lane prominent on photographs is visible.  A mag 11.5 star is at the NW end 1.6' from the center and a slightly fainter mag 12 star is 1.5' SW.  Located 10' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 29401.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): very bright, impressive, large bright core, two stars off the NW and SW edges.  A mag 7 star is 10' SW.

 

8" (6/4/83): fairly bright, brighter central bulge, fainter extension.

 

William Herschel discovered (but see below) NGC 5866 = H. I-215 = h1909 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842). He recorded it as "very bright, considerably large, extended, following 2 stars."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary). NGC 5866 is likely an edge-on S0 galaxy with a dust lane.

 

Lord Rosse described NGC 5866 on 27 Apr 1848 as "A very bright resolvable nebula, but none of the component stars seen distinctly even with a power of a thousand.  A perfectly straight and longitudinal division in the direction of the major axis."  George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) sketched the galaxy and dust lane on 27 Apr 1849 (figure 8, 1850 publication).  James Keeler sketched the galaxy on 18 Jul 1890 with the Lick 36-inch and included two extremely faint stars (estimated at ~16th mag) on either side of the dust lane.

 

NGC 5866 is sometimes taken as Pierre Méchain's M102 for completeness of the Messier catalogue.  Méchain found his object on 27 Mar 1781, but in a letter dated 6 May 1783 to Johann Bernoulli, the editor of the Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch, he stated M101 and 102 "are nothing but the same nebula, which has been taken for two, by an error in the charts."  But in the September 2015 issue of Sky & Tel, Michael Covington argues that Mechain probably did see NGC 5866, along with the adjacent 7th-magnitude star and Messier may have confirmed the observation.  See Harold Corwin's notes for a more detailed analysis of M102.

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NGC 5867 = 2MASX J15062441+5543543 = LEDA 2512461

15 06 24.3 +55 43 53; Dra

V = 16.1;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

 

48" (4/30/19): at 545x; fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter.  Picked up 2' SE of NGC 5866 in excellent conditions (SQM 21.9+ skies).

 

48" (4/21/17): at 697x; faint to fairly faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  Located 2.0' SE of the center of NGC 5866, though lies far in the background.  A mag 12.2 star is 1' NNW.  This galaxy is one of the 10 faintest in the NGC.

 

24" (7/6/13): extremely faint to very faint, extremely small, round, 6"-8" diameter.  Once identified, I could hold this galaxy continuously with averted at 320x.  Situated 2.0' SSW the center of NGC 5866 and 1.0' SSE of a mag 12.2 star.  It is also just south of the line connecting the mag 12.2 star and a mag 14 star 3.3' further SE.

 

18" (7/13/07): after a couple of failed attempts I picked up this extremely faint companion located 2' S of center to NGC 5866 and 1' SE of a mag 12 star.  I first took a look in Alvin Huey's 22" to check the relative position and appearance. Then in my Starmaster at 262x I glimpsed an extremely faint, barely non-stellar knot, ~6" diameter, that required averted and was only visible for moments at a time.  The observation was repeatable, though, and confirmed in excellent conditions at the Lassen Peak parking lot.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5867 on 25 Apr 1851 (Friday night).  While observing NGC 5866 he noted "alpha [on field sketch] is an eeF neb."  The sketch clearly points to NGC 5867 = 2MASX J15062441+5543543.  Four years later (13 Apr 1855), R.J. Mitchell recorded "the nova alpha seems to a real neb."  RNGC and NGC 2000.0 misclassify NGC 5867 as nonexistent (Type 7)

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NGC 5868 = NGC 5865 = UGC 9743 = MCG +00-39-007 = CGCG 021-023 = PGC 54118

15 09 49.1 +00 31 47; Vir

V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 66°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 4.0' ENE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5869 3.6' S.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 5868 on 27 Apr 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single measurement is on the north side of the halo of UGC 9743.

 

William Herschel made the original discovery on 11 Apr 1787, cataloging it as II. 684 (later NGC 5865), but his position was poor (or he confused it with nearby NGC 5869).  John Herschel assumed d'Arrest's nebula was new when he compiled the GC, so it ended up as NGC 5868.  Dreyer connected the numbers NGC 5868 = NGC 5865 in his 1912 update to William Herschel's catalogues

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NGC 5869 = UGC 9742 = MCG +00-39-006 = CGCG 021-022 = Holm 699a = LGG 393-008 = PGC 54119

15 09 49.4 +00 28 12; Vir

V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 125°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): moderately bright, fairly small, very faint halo elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brighter and larger of pair with NGC 5865 3.6' N.  Member of the NGC 5846 group.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5869 = H. II-545 = h1908 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532).  He simply noted "Faint, small."  His position matches UGC 9742, the brighter of a pair with NGC 5865 = NGC 5868 (discovered by Herschel the following year).

 

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144), calling it "pretty bright; small; elongated; pretty suddenly brighter middle."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 3 nights and Stephan observed it on 26 and 27 May 1875, and 5 Jun 1878.  RNGC and MCG misidentify this galaxy as NGC 5865.

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NGC 5870 = NGC 5826 = UGC 9725 = MCG +09-25-016 = CGCG 274-017 = PGC 53949

15 06 33.8 +55 28 44; Dra

V = 13.9;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): extremely faint, very small, roundish, 30" diameter. A mag 12 star follows by 1' and a similar star is 2.3' NNE.  Located 18' S of NGC 5866.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5870 = Sw. 1-41 on 11 Jun 1885 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; vv diff; preceding a B * 7 sec; [GC] 4058 = NGC 5866."  His position and description matches UGC 9725.  Two night earlier he found I-39 = NGC 5826, which was placed exactly 7 min of RA preceding, but he also mentioned "* nr, [GC] 4058 [= NGC 5866] nr."  The description also applies to UGC 9725 and he probably made an error copying the RA, which happened with several other galaxies found by Swift.  So, NGC 5870 = NGC 5826.

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NGC 5871

15 09 56.6 +00 30 34; Vir

 

= *, Corwin.

 

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5871 around 1882 while observing NGC 5865 and NGC 5869.  In the narrative section of list V, he claims he made a sketch of four close nebula forming a trapezoid with a diagonal of 4' and the smallest side of 2.5'.  But there are only the two NGC galaxies here, so his other two objects must refer to faint stars.  The NGC position (communicated directly to Dreyer) is between two mag 15-16 stars to the southeast of NGC 5865.  Harold Corwin lists both stars in his table, with the brighter western star given here as a more likely candidate.  See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 5872 = MCG -02-39-005 = PGC 54169

15 10 55.6 -11 28 49; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 5°

 

13.1" (6/11/83): faint, very small, possibly slightly elongated.  A mag 14 star is superimposed 29" E of center.  Located 6' W of mag 7.9 SAO 159077.  The NGC 5858/NGC 5861 pair is roughly 30' NW.

 

Joseph Winlock discovered NGC 5872 = HN 30 on 30 Jul 1866 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor at Harvard Observatory.  His position in Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #329, matches PGC 54169.  No description was given in the table but Dreyer included Bigourdan's description in the IC 1 notes.

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NGC 5873 = PK 331+16.1 = ESO 328-34 = PN G331.3+16.8

15 12 50.6 -38 07 33; Lup

V = 11.2;  Size 8"x6"

 

13.1" (3/17/86): appears stellar at 79x and quite prominent with an OIII filter.  A barely non-stellar disc was seen at 166x.  Forms a near equilateral triangle with fainter mag 12 stars 1.8' W and 2.1' S.  Estimate mag V = 11.5.

 

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 5873 on 2 May 1883 near Lake Titicaca using a 6.1" refractor with a direct vision Vogel-spectroscope.  The position given in Copernicus III (1884) is 8 sec of RA too far west and 2' north.  This was the first deep sky object to be discovered in South America.  Copeland discovered three NGCs in the Andes using this visual spectroscopy including NGC 5315, just two nights later.

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NGC 5874 = UGC 9736 = MCG +09-25-024 = CGCG 274-020 = LGG 395- 001 = PGC 54018

15 07 51.8 +54 45 10; Boo

V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 53°

 

17.5" (5/23/87): faint, fairly large, diffuse, slightly elongated SW-NE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5874 = Sw. 1-42 on 11 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; pL; R; in center of a large equilateral triangle of 3 bright stars." His position and description applies to UGC 9736.

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NGC 5875 = UGC 9745 = MCG +09-25-027 = CGCG 274-027 = WBL 549-006 = PGC 54095

15 09 13.1 +52 31 43; Boo

V = 12.6;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 145°

 

24" (7/28/19): at 322x; fairly bright, fairly large, well concentrated with a relatively large bulging core.  The nucleus was stellar and indistinct.  The central region is noticeably uneven in surface brightness, probably reflecting spiral structure. (confirmed).  A string of 4 stars, each increasing in brightness, extends to the SE with mag 8.3 HD 134809 9' SE.  Brightest in the WBL 549 group.

 

CGCG 274-19, 12' W, appeared fairly faint, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.3'.  Contains a faint but sharp stellar nucleus.

CGCG 274-22, 16' SW, was nearly fairly faint, elongated 5:2 N-S, 0.5'x0.2', small bright core, fainter extensions.

NGC 5875A (UGC 9745), 15' SSW, appeared fairly faint, roundish, 30", very weak concentration, no distinct core or nucleus.

CGCG 274-24, 7' SW, was almost fairly faint, round, 18" diameter, compact.

 

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, brighter core.  Forms a 5.6' pair SSW with much fainter CGCG 274-026, which was logged as "very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE".

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5875 = H. II-755 on 1 May 1788 (sweep 840) and recorded "pB, pL, lE."  His position was just off the northwest edge of the galaxy and Engelhardt measured a precise micrometric position.

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NGC 5876 = IC 1111 = UGC 9747 = MCG +09-25-028 = CGCG 274-028 = LGG 395-002 = PGC 54110

15 09 31.6 +54 30 23; Boo

V = 12.7;  Size 2.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 50°

 

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, very small, round, brighter core.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5876 = Sw. 1-43 on 11 Jun 1885 and recorded "F; S; mbM; R."  His position is 7 seconds of RA west of UGC 9747.  Swift likely "discovered" the galaxy again on 27 Aug 1888 and placed it in his 8th discovery list, #86 (later IC 1111).  His RA was 5 minutes of time too large but the comment "triangle with 2 st" applies to UGC 9747, which has two mag 12-13 stars 2' NW and 3' SW.  So, likely NGC 5876 = IC 1111.  See Harold Corwin's comments on IC 1111.

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NGC 5877

15 12 53.0 -04 55 29; Lib

 

= ***, Reinmuth, Carlson and Corwin.

 

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 5877 on 24 May 1867 with a 6.2"  refractor at the Athens Observatory.  At his position are three stars (mag 13.6-14.2) and Karl Reinmuth, using Heidelberg plates, also identified NGC 5877 as "= triple *12, 13, 14; *12 n of *13 and *14; IC 1104 s 10'."

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NGC 5878 = MCG -02-39-006 = UGCA 403 = PGC 54364

15 13 45.7 -14 16 10; Lib

V = 11.5;  Size 3.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

 

18" (6/13/07): in poor seeing appeared fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, ~1.5'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a bright, round core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 9' SW of an orange mag 7 star (HD 135207).  MCG -02-39-009 lies 8' SE.

 

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, small bright nucleus, much fainter extensions.  A mag 15 star is at the SSE edge 0.9' from center.  Forms a pair with MCG -02-39-009 8' SE.  Located 8.8' SW of mag 7.0 SAO 159117.

 

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, elongated N-S.  A mag 7 star is in the field to the east.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5878 = H. III-736 = h3593 on 30 Apr 1788 (sweep 839) and recorded "vF; little brighter middle; pL; E in the meridian; 300 showed the same."  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel wrote, "B; pmE; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; involves a * 14m to northward."  His comment probably refer to the faint star on the south side.  Using the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope on 21 May 1878, Joseph Turner felt the faint star at the south end was not "involved" but just east of the south tip.  Although slightly east of the major axis, it is superimposed on the edge of the halo (p.179 of logbook).

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NGC 5879 = UGC 9753 = MCG +10-22-001 = CGCG 297-004 = LGG 396-002 = PGC 54117

15 09 47.0 +57 00 05; Dra

V = 11.6;  Size 4.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 in PA 0°, 3.0'x1.0'.  Contains a prominent elongated core with a faint stellar nucleus.  The fainter elongated halo also extends the minor axis.  A mag 14 star is at the west edge 0.7' from the center.  Located 7.5' SE of mag 7.2 SAO 29427.

 

8" (6/19/82): faint, very elongated N-S, thin, small bright nucleus.  A mag 7 star is 7' NW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5879 = H. II-757 = h1910 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He described it as "pretty bright, small, irregularly round, brighter middle."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary).  A second observation was made on the next sweep (25 May 1788), also with a Double eye glass.

 

John Herschel called the galaxy "bright; irregularly round with ray-like appendages; gradually brighter middle; resolvable; 30"."  His position (used in the GC and NGC) is accurate.

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NGC 5880 = MCG -02-39-012 = PGC 54427

15 15 01.1 -14 34 44; Lib

V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (5/30/92): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 2.1' NNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 5883 3.5' SE.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5880 = LM 1-224 on 6 Jun 1885 and recorded "mag 15.2, 0.2' dia, R, little brighter then suddenly in the middle to a nucleus, in field with Harvard 331 [NGC 5883]."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.0 min of RA west and 3' north of MCG -02-39-012 = PGC 54427.  As this galaxy is 3' northwest of NGC 5883, the identification is reasonable.

 

Because of Leavenworth's poor position, there's been confusion on the identification.  The Helwan Observatory bulletin #38 for 1935 misidentified  MCG -02-39-010 as NGC 5880.  This galaxy is 12' due north of the NGC position but doesn't match being "in field with [NGC 5883]."  It is in the field of NGC 5878 instead.  The RNGC and MCG misidentified MCG -02-39-010 as NGC 5880.  This is a very low surface brightness spiral about 10' southwest of MCG -02-39-012.

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NGC 5881 = IC 1100 = UGC 9729 = MCG +11-18-025 = CGCG 318-014 = PGC 54150

15 06 20.7 +62 58 52; Dra

V = 13.3;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  PA = 60°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 40"x30", weak concentration.  Bracketed by a mag 13 star 52" SW of center and a mag 12 star 1.8' NNE.  NGC identification uncertain (poor position from WH) and this galaxy is identified as IC 1100 (from Swift) in UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5881 = H. II-818 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 930) and noted "pF, cL, R, very gradually brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 52 sec of RA east and 2' south of UGC 9729.  Dreyer notes in the 1912 "Scientific Papers", that the listed RA in GC and NGC was 2 tmin too large (the actual error is ~ 2 min 45 sec).  Because of this error, Bigourdan and d'Arrest were unable to locate NGC 5881.

 

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy (list IX-45) on 22 Jun 1889 and logged "vF; pS; lE; bet 2 stars."  Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1100, but noted in the "Scientific Papers" that "II-818 is probably = IC 1100."

 

The RNGC misidentifies UGC 9764 as NGC 5881.  This galaxy is over two degrees from the NGC position.  UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 all label this galaxy as IC 1100 (because of the unambiguous position) instead of NGC 5881.  I wrote up this case in RNGC Corrections #6 and it is discussed in Corwin's notes.

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NGC 5882 = IC 1108 = PK 327+10.1 = ESO 274-7 = PN G327.8+10.0

15 16 49.9 -45 38 58; Lup

V = 9.5;  Size 16"x15"

 

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter, this small planetary appeared as a very bright (V = 9.5), very high surface brightness round disc, ~12" diameter with a bluish color.  At 228x there was an impression of a thin outer shell increasing the size to ~16" diameter.

 

13.1" (3/17/86): very small round disc visible at 80x, estimate V = 10.0.  Good contrast gain with an OIII filter.  A prominent small disc was visible at 166x with a mag 12 star 4.4' NE.  Located 10.8' WNW of mag 7.4 SAO 225623.  This planetary is very far south for viewing from my location in Northern California!

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5882 = h3594 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "a most elegant and delicate planetary nebula. Diam in RA = 1.35 seconds by many observations. Long contemplated with x180, x240 and x320. The disc is magnified by the power in due proportion. It is = a star 8.9 mag; perfectly sharp, not the slightest haziness. A very fine object. It has no 'satellites'.  My attendant [John Stone], to whom I showed it, said it was like the moon, only smaller, and not in the least like a star."  His sketch is on Plate VI, figure 8.  The planetary was also sketched by both Joseph Turner and Pietro Baracchi using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished Plate V, figure 56 and Plate VII, figure 71).

 

James Dunlop's D 447 was placed 35' to the WSW, but this PN is likely to small for him to have noticed (despite being called "very small").  In addition his description mentions "the nebula is about 1' north of a star of the 9-10th magnitude" and there is no such star south of NGC 5882.

 

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, reported NGC 5882 displayed an emission line in an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

 

Duncker independently found the planetary on an objective prism plate at Harvard's Arequipa station and Williamina Fleming announced it was new in 1884.  Despite JH's accurate position, Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1108.  The equivalence apparently went unannounced until Andris Lauberts (ESO) and Harold Corwin ran across it while scanning southern Schmidt plates.

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NGC 5883 = MCG -02-39-014 = PGC 54439

15 15 10.1 -14 37 01; Lib

V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): faint, small, round, very small bright core.  This is the brighter of a pair with NGC 5880 3.5' NW.  Mag 8.4 SAO 159132 is 10' SE near the edge of the 220x field.

 

Joseph Winlock discovered NGC 5883 = HN 31 on 30 Jul 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor at the Harvard Observatory.  His position in Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #331, matches PGC 54439.  Francis Leavenworth independently found this galaxy on 6 Jun 1885.  Bigourdan described it as "vF, pS, stellar ncl".  MCG misidentifies NGC 5880 as NGC 5883.

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NGC 5884

15 13 09.2 +31 51 42; Boo

 

= **, Bigourdan

 

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 5884 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at James Wigglesworth's private observatory in England.  At Lohse's position are two mag 14 stars at 14" separation in PA 160°.  Bigourdan found only these two faint stars.

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NGC 5885 = MCG -02-39-013 = PGC 54429

15 15 04.1 -10 05 08; Lib

V = 11.8;  Size 3.5'x3.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 65°

 

18" (6/13/07): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE,, ~1.5'x1.1', very weak concentration.  A mag 10 star sits at the NE tip of the galaxy.

 

13.1" (7/5/83): very faint, round, diffuse with a low, even surface brightness.  Mag 9 SAO 140412 is just off the NE edge 1.7' from center and light from the star swamps the dim glow of the galaxy.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5885 = H. III-116 = h3595 on 9 May 1784 (sweep 210) and recorded "vF, cL, almost R, the whitishness approaching to the milky kind; very near and preceding a bright star."  John Herschel made a single observation: "pF; L; R; very gradually brighter middle; 3' diam."

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NGC 5886 = CGCG 221-036 = PGC 54298

15 12 45.4 +41 14 01; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 85°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): first of three in the NGC 5888 group.  Faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus, 0.4' diameter.  A mag 15.5 star is at the north tip 14" from the center.  Situated almost midway between a mag 12 star 1.9' WNW and a 13th mag star 1.3' SE.  Located 2.9' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 45437.  Forms a pair with NGC 5888 4.6' NE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5886 = h1911 on 13 May 1828 and logged "F; R; bM; 12"."  His position was 40" S of center.

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NGC 5887 = UGC 9779 = MCG +00-39-012 = CGCG 021-056 = PGC 54416

15 14 43.9 +01 09 15; Ser

V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 160°

 

17.5" (7/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.5-15 star is 1.4' NNE of center.  A wide pair of mag 13 stars at 36" separation is 3' SE.  Located 7.4' SSW of mag 8.6 SAO 120913.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5887 = St. 11-31 on 4 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 9' too far north.  His position on 8 Jun 1871 was just 1' E of center. On 31 May 1869 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "pretty faint, pretty small, gradually brighter middle."

 

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NGC 5888 = UGC 9771 = MCG +07-31-038 = CGCG 221-037 = PGC 54316

15 13 07.3 +41 15 53; Boo

V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 158°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): second and brightest of three with NGC 5886 4.6' SW and NGC 5889 4.2' NNE.  Fairly faint, elongated 5:3 NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5888 = H. III-659 = h1912 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "vF, vS, r."  His position was poor, 7' too far SE.  John Herschel made a single observation: "pB; R; bM; 15"; the PD differs 5' from my Father's."  His position was on the south side of the galaxy.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 1 Jun 1877.

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NGC 5889 = PGC 54317

15 13 15.7 +41 19 41; Boo

V = 15.3;  Size 0.7'x0.25';  PA = 40°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): extremely faint, small, appears very elongated SSW-NNE but difficult to pin down the orientation due to faintness and only visible for moments using averted.  Collinear with NGC 5888 4.1' SSW and mag 8.7 SAO 45437 7.5' SSW.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5889 on 25 Apr 1851.  While observing NGC 5886 and 5888 he recorded an "eeF patch, gradually little brighter middle, same distance nf [NGC 5888, as NGC 5888 is from NGC 5886]."

 

The RNGC and RC3 position or identification is incorrect.  PGC 54317 is mentioned in the UGC notes to NGC 5888 but it is not identified as NGC 5889.

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NGC 5890 = MCG -03-39-004 = PGC 54602

15 17 51.1 -17 35 21; Lib

V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 80°

 

17.5" (6/29/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, weak concentration to a brighter core which appears offset from the geometric center.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the NE edge [43" from center].

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5890 = LM 1-225 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "vF, vS, E 55°."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.6 min west and 2' north of MCG -03-39-004 = PGC 54602 and his position angle is roughly consistent with this galaxy.

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NGC 5891 = MCG -02-39-015 = PGC 54491

15 16 13.4 -11 29 39; Lib

V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

 

17.5" (6/29/00): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 40"x30", low even surface brightness.  Three faint stars cradle the galaxy around the SE end [1.1-1.5' from center].

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5891= LM 1-226 on 12 Jun 1885 and recorded "mag 13.0, pS, lE, gradually brighter in the middle, *11 follows."  His rough RA (nearest minute) is just 15 seconds too small.  The mag 11 star in his notes probably refer to the mag 14 star less than 1' northeast.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC 1 Notes section).

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NGC 5892 = Fath 703 = MCG -02-39-007 = PGC 54365

15 13 48.2 -15 27 50; Lib

V = 11.7;  Size 3.5'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 105°

 

17.5" (7/9/94): very faint but fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter.  Very low but uneven surface brightness (weak irregular concentration) with no distinct borders.  Located just northwest of a group of five mag 13.5-14.5 stars forming a parallelogram asterism (the southern base consists of three collinear stars); the closest mag 13.5 star is just off the ESE edge 1.3' from center.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5892 = LM 1-227 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 2.5' gradually brighter in the middle."  There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of RA).  The RNGC identified MCG -02-39-007 = PGC 54365 as NGC 5892.  This galaxy is nearly 3 minutes of RA west (not an uncommon error) as well as 30' south of Stone's position, but his description (especially size) does match this galaxy.  Not surprisingly, due to the poor NGC positional match, Fath (see below), Shapley-Ames, Helwan observatory, MCG and RC2 failed to label this label this galaxy as NGC 5892. The Helwan observatory 1935 bulletin stated NGC 5892 was "not shown with 80 min exposure."

 

Edward Fath catalogued it as #703 in his 1914 paper "A study of nebulae", which included 864 new "nebulae" discovered on plates taken with the 60-inch at Mt. Wilson.  Fath gave the dimensions as 2'16" x 2'16" and noted it was a spiral. The designation Fath 703 was used in the 1932 "Shapley-Ames Catalogue" of 1249 objects brighter than 13th photographic magnitude as well as in Sandage and Tammann's 1981 revised version.  Due to the 30' discrepancy in declination and lack of a sketch, the identification of Fath 703 with NGC 5892 is uncertain but adopted in NED, HyperLEDA and SIMBAD.

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NGC 5893 = UGC 9774 = MCG +07-31-042 = CGCG 221-041 = Holm 701b = PGC 54351

15 13 34.2 +41 57 32; Boo

V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 45°

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~45"x35", very weak conentration.  A mag 13 star is 2' NW and a mag 13.9 star is 2' ESE.  NGC 5895 [same redshift] lies 4' NE and NGC 5899 is 17' ENE.

 

17.5" (7/12/99): faint, fairly small, round, ~1.0' diameter.  Weak even concentration to the center but no core or nucleus.  Situated within a string of mag 13-13.5 stars oriented NW-SE.  The very faint pair NGC 5895/96 lies 4' NE.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, even surface brightness.  In a line with a string of four mag 13 stars oriented NW-SE; the closest stars are 1.9' NW and 1.8' SE.  In a trio with NGC 5895 4.2' NE and NGC 5896 5.0' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5893 = H. II-678 = h1913 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "F, S, r.  In a row with 3 stars." His position was 5' too far SSE.  John Herschel made a single observation: "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."

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NGC 5894 = UGC 9768 = MCG +10-22-004 = CGCG 297-006 = PGC 54234

15 11 41.0 +59 48 32; Dra

V = 12.9;  Size 3.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 13°

 

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, small brighter core, thin extensions.  Located 5.7' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5894 = H. II-763 on 25 May 1788 (sweep 843) and noted "cF, S, E nearly in the meridian [N-S]."

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NGC 5895 = MCG +07-31-043 = CGCG 221-042a = Holm 701a = PGC 54366

15 13 50.0 +42 00 29; Boo

V = 15.0;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 20°

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 25"x8", even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 1' E. Forms a close pair with NGC 5896 1' N.

 

17.5" (6/30/00): very faint, small, slightly elongated, ~25" diameter, no concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' E.  Forms a pair with difficult NGC 5896.  Located 4.2' NE of NGC 5893.

 

17.5" (7/12/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Apparently I only viewed the center of this elongated galaxy through thin clouds.  Located 1' W of a mag 14 star.  At moments I suspected a marginal glow close north which might have been NGC 5896.  Located 11' SSE of mag 6 SAO 45445.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE.  A mag 14 star is 1.1' E of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 5893 4.2' SW.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5895, along with NGC 5896, on 23 May 1854 while observing NGC 5893 at Birr Castle.  He noted "about 3' nf [of NGC 5893] is a small nebula [NGC 5895], lE, vF with a third vvF neb [NGC 5896] close north; I suspect the two novae to be connected, as they are very close, and the n one exactly in a line with the axis of the small one.  2 stars close sf the novae, the f being vS."  The description and diagram clearly identifies the two small galaxies.  The CGCG lists a single entry for NGC 5895 + 5896 with a combined magnitude of 15.5.

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NGC 5896 = MCG +07-31-044 = CGCG 221-042b = Holm 701c = PGC 54367

15 13 50.7 +42 01 27; Boo

V = 16.0;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; extremely faint, very small, round, 12: diameter. Forms a close (line of sight) pair with NGC 5895 1' N.  This is one of the faintest galaxies in the NGC!

 

17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x seen as an extremely small, faint glow, ≤10" diameter.  Visible with averted vision ~50% of the time just 1' N of NGC 5895.

 

17.5" (7/12/99): this galaxy forms a double system with NGC 5895 and was only suspected for moments 1' N and 1.3' NW of the mag 14 star just west of NGC 5895).  The observation was only marginal and probably viewed through thin clouds.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): Not seen.

 

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5896, along with NGC 5895, on 23 May 1854 while observing NGC 5893 at Birr Castle.  See notes for NGC 5895.

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NGC 5897 = ESO 582-2

15 17 24.3 -21 00 36; Lib

V = 8.6;  Size 12.6';  Surf Br = 0.3

 

18" (7/11/07): this low surface brightness globular was easily picked up 12.5x in the 80mm finder as a small, faint, hazy knot.  Excellent view at 225x in the 18" with 60-70 stars resolved and a very weak concentration and no distinct core.  At 325x, 90-100 stars were resolved over an 11' diameter though the halo does not have a well defined edge so the count is somewhat arbitrary.  The hazy background glow of unresolved star is quite lively and irregular in surface brightness.

 

17.5" (6/3/00): large, loose, globular, ~10' in diameter with only a weak concentration and no core.  At 280x, 60-70 stars are resolved in good moments of seeing and many appear to be arranged in strings (two on the east side of the halo) emanating from the central region.  The extent of the halo is ill-defined.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): this is a low surface brightness globular of 10' diameter with little concentration.  Roughly circular although the outline is irregular.  Well resolved into 50 stars at 286x over haze although NGC 5897 is too large for a good view at high power.  About 5' NNE of center is a string of three mag 11.5, 12 and 14 stars with a total length of 1.4'.

 

13.1" (6/30/84): about two dozen faint stars resolved over irregular haze.

 

13.1" (6/19/82 and 4/24/82): a few dozen faint and very faint stars resolved over a larger region of haze.

 

12x80mm (6/30/84): very faint but visible in the finder!

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5897 = H. VI-19 = H. VI-8 = h3596 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 209).  Sweeps 208 and 209 were problematic as the initial pointing was unknown. The night was poor with "flying clouds" and "The moon very bright but in pursuit of nebulous stratum [of galaxies found in Virgo and Coma] I am in hopes of seeing some of the brighter nebula in it." H. VI-8 was recorded as "a very close compressed cluster of stars, 8 or 9' in diameter, extremely rich, of an irregularly round figure, a little extended.  The stars so small as hardly to be visible so accumulated in the middle as to look nebulous."  There is nothing at Caroline's derived position for H. VI-8, though the identification of the offset star was uncertain.  Dreyer chronicled the problems in the sweep in the notes section of the NGC (in which he favors NGC 5897) and his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues (in which he seems to favor NGC 5634).  In any case, Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 383) and recorded VI-19 as "a beautiful large cluster of the most minute and most compressed stars imaginable.  Different size and a faint red colour perceivable. 6 or 7' in diameter."

 

Harold Corwin started with the assumption that H. VI-8 = NGC 5897 and using the relative offsets in the sweep, he matched the derived positions of 4 stars logged in the sweep with nearby BD stars.  Herschel rediscovered this cluster a couple of weeks later on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 383) and recorded H. VI-19 as "A beautiful L cluster of the most minute and most compressed stars imaginable.  Different sizes and a faint red colour perceivable."  His position on this sweep was only 3' S of center.  So, H. VI-8 = H. VI-19 = NGC 5897.  Wolfgang Steinicke equates VI-8 with NGC 5634, but besides Corwin's convincing argument, NGC 5897 is much easier to resolve (as Herschel did) than NGC 5634.

 

In 1914, Hardcastle classified NGC 5897 as a known spiral nebula (based on ?).  The following year, Knox-Shaw reported it was a loose globular cluster and "certainly not a spiral nebula", based on a photograph taken between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector. 

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NGC 5898 = ESO 514-002 = MCG -04-36-006 = UGCA 404 = LGG 398-001 = PGC 54625

15 18 13.6 -24 05 53; Lib

V = 11.4;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

18" (6/22/09): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.1'x1.0', sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core.  First in a trio with NGC 5903 5.5' ENE and ESO 514-003 5.3' ESE.

 

18" (6/17/04): moderately bright, moderately large, 1.2'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an intense 20" core.  Forms a similar close pair with NGC 5903 5.5' ENE.

 

13.1" (7/5/83): moderately bright, small, round, gradually increases to a small bright nucleus.  Forms a close pair with similar NGC 5903 5.5' ENE.

 

8" (7/5/83): faint, small, round.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5898 = H. III-138 = h3597, along with NGC 5903, on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222) and recorded both as "Two, vF, R nebula, not vS, about 7' distance from each other and nearly in the same parallel."  John Herschel made a single observation, reporting "pB; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 15"."  Vincenzo Cerulli measured an accurate micrometric position in 1895 (given in the IC2 Notes) at his private Italian observatory while searching unsuccessfuly for Comet 1889 V (Brooks).

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NGC 5899 = UGC 9789 = MCG +07-31-045 = CGCG 221-043 = PGC 54428

15 15 03.2 +42 02 58; Boo

V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 18°

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; fairly bright, large, very elongated nearly 3:1 SSW-NNE, 2.2'x0.8' strong concentration with a bright elongated core that rises to a stellar peak.  Two spiral arms were evident; one extending north along the NE flank of the halo and other extending south on the SW flank of the halo. Both appeared as thin, nearly linear arcs in the halo with a sharp outer edge.  The inner edge of the arcs (arms) were less defined as they blended into the halo on the north and south side.  NGC 5899 forms a pair with NGC 5900 10' N.  Located 12' SE of mag 6.1 HD 135530.

 

17.5" (7/12/99): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, ~2.5'x0.8'.  Gradually increases to a bright, elongated core.  Embedded in the core is a brighter quasi-stellar nucleus.  Follows a string of three stars including a mag 10.5 star 3.3' NW and two mag 12/14 stars.  Just off the edge of the field is mag 6 SAO 45445 situated 12' NW.  Brightest in a group with NGC 5893 and NGC 5895/96.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): brightest in a group with NGC 5900 10' N, NGC 5893 17' WSW and NGC 5895/NGC 5896 12' WSW.  Fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x1.0', small bright core.  A knot or faint star is embedded in the southern extension.  Forms the east vertex of a triangle with a mag 10 star 3.4' NW and a mag 11.5 star 3.8' W.  Located 12' SE of mag 6.1 SAO 45445 at the edge of the 220x field.

 

very elongated N to S, 2' x 40", with evident but little contrasting bulge (it was easily observable even in the 10") - 450x.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5899 = H. II-650 = h1914 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718).  His description reads "pB, E, near 2' l and 1/4' br."  On 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) he noted "pB almost cB, BNM."  A 3rd observation on 12 Apr 1788 (sweep 831) states "pB, E, a pBN with faint branches about 1 1/2' long."  The observation by Lord Rosse (or assistant) on 25 Apr 1849 mentions "Dark space nf nucleus??"  The dark space is a gap between the core and the spiral arm on the north following end of the galaxy.

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NGC 5900 = UGC 9790 = MCG +07-31-046 = CGCG 221-044 = Holm 702a = PGC 54431

15 15 05.1 +42 12 34; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 130°

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, very thin streak 5:1, ~1.25'x0.25', small brighter nucleus, uneven surface brightness [due to dust lane].  NGC 5901 is a mag 15.8 star 1' N.  Located 10' ENE of mag 6.1 HD 135530.  Forms a physical pair with NGC 5899 10' S.

 

17.5" (5/2/92): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located 9.7' N of NGC 5899 and 10.3' ENE of mag 6.1 SAO 45445.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5900 = H. III-660 = h1915 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and noted "eF, cS."  John Herschel made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position.  See NGC 5901.

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NGC 5901

15 15 02.3 +42 13 45; Boo

V = 15.8

 

24" (6/21/20): at 375x; extremely faint mag 15.8 star located 1' N of NGC 5900.

 

Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5901 on 23 May 1854 while observing NGC 5900.  He recorded "Found 2 neb close ns.  I believe the south one, which is vF, vlE north-south, little brighter middle to be Herschel's.  The neb north of it is not vS, but eF."  There is only a single galaxy here (assuming he found the correct field), though 1.3' north is a mag 15.5-16 star, which Harold Corwin and the RNGC identify as NGC 5901.

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NGC 5902 = MCG +08-28-011 = CGCG 274-035 = PGC 54394

15 14 22.2 +50 19 49; Boo

V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, round, small, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5902 = H. III-737 on 1 May 1788 (sweep 840) and recorded "vF, vS, stellar."  Caroline's reduction is 0.2 min of RA east and 3' south of  CGCG 274-035 = PGC 54394.

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NGC 5903 = ESO 514-004 = MCG -04-36-008 = UGCA 405 = LGG 398-003 = PGC 54646

15 18 36.5 -24 04 07; Lib

V = 11.2;  Size 2.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 165°

 

18" (6/22/09): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.1'x0.8', contains a bright core that gradually increases to the center, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.3 star is off the NW side, 1.5' from center. Forms a trio with NGC 5898 5.5' SW and ESO 515-003 3.1' S.

 

18" (6/17/04): moderately bright, moderately large, 1.2'x1.0', well-concentrated with a bright 20" core.  Slightly fainter than NGC 5898 5.5' SW.

 

13.1" (7/5/83): moderately bright, small, round.  Appears similar to NGC 5898 5.5' SW but slightly larger.

 

8" (7/5/83): very faint, round, nice pair with NGC 5898.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5903 = H. III-139 = h3598, along with NGC 5898, on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222) and recorded both as "Two, vF, R nebula, not vS, about 7' distance from each other and nearly in the same parallel."  John Herschel logged "B; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 20"."  Vincenzo Cerulli measured an accurate micrometric position although Dreyer didn't publish his corrected position in the IC II notes.

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NGC 5904 = M5

15 18 33.7 +02 04 58; Ser

V = 5.7;  Size 17.4';  Surf Br = 0.1

 

18" (7/26/06): at 435x the cluster overfills the field and the intense 3.5' core is resolved to the center.  The core has two easily resolved parallel star lanes oriented E-W that cross the core on the north and south sides and an extremely dense knot of stars is resolved on the west side of the northern lane.

 

17.5" (5/10/86): very bright, very large, extremely dense, edge-to-edge resolution of several hundred stars across 22' field (not possible to count), many stars arranged in arcs and streamers.  Strong even concentration to a large very bright core.  Third best globular cluster from northern California (5th brightest integrated magnitude) and can be glimpsed naked-eye in as a small fuzzy glow in dark skies.  Located 22' NW of 5 Serpentis (STF 1930 = 5.2/10.2 at 11") and the star is more prominent than the globular.

 

13.1" (numerous dates): spectacular resolution of several hundred stars from the outer halo to the core, rows of long streamers.

 

24" (7/7/13): V42, a type II Cepheid variable, is located just 3.1' SW of the center of M5!  With a mag range of ~10.6 to 12.1 and a period of 26 days, it was probably near its maximum (11th mag) and appeared to be the brightest star in M5.  It forms a ~10" pair with a star close W and is part of a small trapezoid (as well as a parallelogram) with three stars close S that are arranged E-W.  This variable, as well as V84, are the two known Cepheids in M5.

 

8" (numerous starting 7/3/80): at 125x; very high resolution of large, intense outer halo, many stars at edge of small core, rows of stars converging towards the center

 

Naked-eye (7/26/06): M5 was just visible naked-eye but the nearby mag 5 star (5 Ser) detracts from the observation.  The globular appears as a faint, very small fuzzy glow close NW of the star.

 

Naked-eye (1/21/12): confirmed naked-eye from Mauna Kea visitor center though the nearby mag 5 star is much more prominent.

 

Gottfried and Maria Kirch discovered M5 = NGC 5904 = h1916 on 5 May 1702.  Maria's diary (translated by Leos Ondra) mentions "By such searching [for the comet then visible] my husband found by this with just this 3 Sch. tube, high over Mu [Serpentis] a nebulous light, it had many other fine stars around it, but one stood particularly by the tube above it about thus: [sketch follows]."  Charles Messier independent found it on 23 May 1764.

 

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel's first observation was serendipitous using his 6.2-inch (7-ft scope) on 5 Aug 1782   Using 460x on 4 Mar 1783, he wrote, "It consists of stars; they are however so small that I can but just perceive some, and suspect others.  Using his 18.7" on 5 May 1785 (sweep 409) he described M5 as "a very compressed very beautiful, and large cluster of small stars of various sizes, and of a red colour.  For about 2 or 2.5' they are extremely compressed in the center; and the pretty regularly scattered stars extend to about 7 or 8' diam."  Then there are besides many more irregularly scattered at a greater distance; especially one branch, which extends in a direction of about 15 or 20 degrees sp and some of the stars of this branch are rather larger than the rest."  On 24 Feb 1787, he logged "The most beautiful, extremely compressed cl of small stars; the greatest part of them gathered together into one brilliant nucleus; evidently consisting of stars, surrounded with many detached gathering stars of the same size and colour."  His perception of red colour was mentioned in regards to a number of globular clusters.  He also observed M5 with his 40-ft telescope (48" f/10) on 27 May 1791 (sweep 3): "Beautiful cluster of stars; I counted about 200 of them; but the middle of it is so compressed that it is impossible to distinguish the stars."

 

While being instructed by his father on his first sweep of 29 May 1821, John Herschel described M5 as "a most beautiful cluster, very much brighter in the middle, very compressed, round, the stars various sizes scattered."  The sweep was later numbered #53, out of order.  His regular sweeps began in 1825.

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NGC 5905 = UGC 9797 = MCG +09-25-038 = CGCG 274-036 = LGG 395-003 = PGC 54445

15 15 23.3 +55 31 02; Dra

V = 11.7;  Size 4.0'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 135°

 

24" (7/28/19): at 322x; fairly bright, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. A slightly brighter "bar" runs SW-NE through the nucleus, but the contrast is low.  The halo has a fairly low surface brightness and there was only a subtle hint of spiral arms.   A mag 15 star is 0.7' SW of center (in halo), a mag 15.3 star is 0.8' S of center (in halo) and a mag 14.4 star is 1.6' E of center (outside halo).  A mag 11/11.5 double star (WZ 13) at 9" separation, lies 4' SSE. Member of the NGC 5908 group (LGG 395).

 

MCG +09-25-037, located 12' WNW, appeared very faint, fairly small,roundish, ~25" diameter, very low surface brightness, requires averted vision.

 

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  A mag 14 star lies 1.6' E of center.  NGC 5908 lies 12' SE.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, diffuse halo increases to brighter core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5905 = H. II-758 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He logged it as " pretty faint, pretty small, irregularly round."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary).

 

NGC 5905 and 5908 were observed at Birr Castle on 13 Apr 1850 and assumed to be novae, so John Herschel assigned a separate General Catalog designation (GC 4084).  Dreyer combined the two GC designations in the NGC and reported an accurate position measured by d'Arrest.

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NGC 5906 = NGC 5907 = UGC 9801 = MCG +09-25-040 = CGCG 274-038 = CGCG 297-010 = Holm 704a = FGC 1875 = LGG 396-003 = PGC 54470

15 15 52.1 +56 19 48; Dra

 

48" (4/21/17): at 375x; a sharply defined dust lane slices through the central region of NGC 5907, creating two asymmetric sections with the thin, brighter core section on the eastern side.  An easily visible glow is on the western side of the dust lane (catalogued separatedly as NGC 5906), though it has a much lower surface brightness.

 

24" (7/8/13): A thin dust lane on the preceding side of the core of the showpiece edge-on NGC 5907 can be traced at least 5'.  NGC 5906 is a thin, low surface brightness strip of the galaxy, parallel to the major axis, that is visible west of the dust lane.

 

In 1850, Lord Rosse (or an assistant) sketched this part of the galaxy (with an embedded star) extending parallel to the main, brighter eastern side.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5906 on 13 Apr 1850.  He description of NGC 5907 mentions a "very remarkable ray, 12' or 15' long,..., a longitudinal split p[receding] nucleus."  NGC 5906 refers to the faint slice of the galaxy on the west side of the dust lane, which was shown on his field sketch.

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NGC 5907 = NGC 5906 = UGC 9801 = MCG +09-25-040 = CGCG 274-038 = CGCG 297-010 = Holm 704a = FGC 1875 = LGG 396-003 = PGC 54470 = Splinter Galaxy

15 15 53.3 +56 19 44; Dra

V = 10.3;  Size 12.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

 

48" (4/21/17): at 375x; huge showpiece splinter extending 10' to 12' NW-SE and ~0.8' wide.  The central 2' long  core region is very bright and contains a slightly brighter nucleus.  The outer extensions have a lower, irregular surface brightness and appear patchy.  A sharply defined dust lane slices through the central region, creating two asymmetric sections with the thin, brighter core section on the eastern side.  An easily visible glow is on the western side of the dust lane (catalogued separatedly as NGC 5906), though it has a much lower surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 1' W of the core.  Overall, the view was very comparable to the DSS2 image.

 

24" (7/8/13): this showpiece edge-on contains a very bright, large, thin extended core but no well defined nucleus.  The galaxy nearly fills the 15' field at 280x, extending ~12'x1', with a patchy surface brightness towards the tips.  A thin dust lane on the preceding side of the core can be traced at least 5'.  A thin, low surface brightness strip (catalogued as NGC 5906) is visible on the west side of the dust lane.

 

18" (6/17/06): extremely large edge-on, roughly 12:1 NNW-SSE, ~10'x0.8', broadly concentrated to a brighter core but with no discernible nucleus.  The 2' central core region is mottled with a couple of brighter spots and the extensions are also irregular in surface brightness.  There appears to be a dust lane running along the western edge of the galaxy.  A mag 14 star is just preceding the core.

 

17.5" (6/6/86): fairly bright, extremely large edge-on 9:1 NNW-SSE, extends to roughly 13'x1.5'.  Contains a bright core increasing to a near stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1.1' W of center.

 

13.1" (6/18/85): very large, very elongated, narrow streak, bright core, faint star is west of the core.

 

8" (6/5/81): impressive, needle-like streak.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5907 = H. II-759 = h1917 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He recorded "pretty bright; 8 or 10' long, 1.5' or 2' broad, faint middle nucleus."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary). On sweep 347, John Herschel logged "Bright; a superb ray nebula, at least 7.5' long and narrow, pos = 159.9° by meas; at first vgb, then pretty suddenly much brighter middle."

 

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney was the first to note the dust lane on 13 Apr 1850.  He described a "very remarkable ray, 12' or 15' long; alpha, beta, gamma and delta are stars, of which alpha is faint; a longitudinal split precedes the nucleus." A faint star was sketched within the portion to the west of the dust lane. The dust lane was confirmed on 13 Apr 1855.  On 23 Apr 1860, Samuel Hunter described "south-preceding nucleus there is a dark space with vF neby beyond, & south-following nucleus is rather dark with a portion much brighter beyond, then another dark space and again neby."  The faint portion of the galaxy preceding the dust lane was catalogued as GC 4086 = NGC 5906.

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NGC 5908 = UGC 9805 = MCG +09-25-041 = CGCG 274-039 = LGG 395-004 = PGC 54522

15 16 43.4 +55 24 34; Dra

V = 11.8;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 154°

 

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.5'x1', weak concentration.  A mag 11 star lies 3.4' NW of center on a line parallel with the major axis.  Forms an interesting pair with NGC 5905 12' NW.

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly bright, fairly small, edge-on, brighter along major axis.  Forms a pair with NGC 5905.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5908 = H. II-760 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He logged "pretty faint, pretty small, round."   During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary).

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NGC 5909 = UGC 9778 = MCG +13-11-010 = CGCG 354-021 = Holm 703b = PGC 54223

15 11 28.1 +75 23 02; UMi

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 52°

 

17.5" (6/18/93): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' W of center.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 5912 48" E of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5909 = H. III-943 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1070 in the north and under the pole).  He recorded "Two, both very faint and very.  The place is that of the last [NGC 5912].  The first [NGC 5909] precedes it at the distance of about 1 1/2' and is in the same parallel [E-W].  320x showed the same. resolvable."  Caroline's reduced position is just 1.5' S of this pair of galaxies, with his usual errors.

 

The declination for NGC 5912 and 5909 in the UGC, CGCG, RNGC and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 atlas is 14' too far south.

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NGC 5910 = HCG 74A = VV 139a = MCG +04-36-035 = CGCG 135-045 = PGC 54689

15 19 24.7 +20 53 47; Ser

V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9

 

48" (5/9/21): NGC 5910 is a merging triple system in a common halo nearly 1' in diameter.  The brightest component is at the center. At 488x HCG 59A appeared fairly bright, fairy small, round, 0.4' diameter, small bright nucleus.  Only 20" SSW is a fairly faint, very small glow (HCG 74B), round, ~15" diameter, stellar nucleus.  HCG 74C, only 18" NE, was faint, very small, slightly elongated, ~10" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus.

 

HCG 74D, situated 1.8' ESE, was fairly faint, small (2nd largest in the quintet), elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.3' diameter.  Contains a slightly brighter nucleus within a low surface brightness halo.  By far the faintest (B = 18.5) in the HCG 74 quintet is 74E, situated 1' NE.  It was extremely faint, less than 10" diameter and only occasionally glimpsed.

 

24" (7/18/17): NGC 5910 is a triple system consisting of HCG 74A (middle), 74B (south) and 74C (northeast).  The main galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus.  HCG 74B, just 20" SE at the edge of the halo, appeared faint (visible continuously), very small, round, 10"-12" diameter.  HCG 74C, only 18" separation at the NE edge of the halo, appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter.  The combined glow of the three galaxies spanned ~50" SSW-NNE.  HCG 75D is 1.8' S and appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 8" diameter.  A mag 14.5/14.5 double [18" separation] is 1' W.

 

18" (8/4/05): at first glace this appeared to be a fairly faint, fairly small glow, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.3', with a knotty appearance and brighter on the north end.  With careful viewing at 225x, this glow was resolved into two nearly tangent knots.  The larger and much brighter glow at the north end was HCG 74A and appeared fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Barely off the SSW end was a nearly stellar knot, HCG 74B. A close pair of mag 14-14.5 stars that are collinear with the galaxy is just 1.3' W and two mag 11 stars to the north are also collinear with the galaxy.  HCG 75 lies just 35' NE!

 

17.5" (7/8/94): brightest member of HCG 74.  Fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  The observation is confused by a companion (HCG 74B) that is attached at the SSW end, just 20" between centers.  HCG 74B popped into view with averted vision and looked like a knot at the edge.  A faint mag 14/14 double star close west is collinear and a mag 13 star is 3' WSW.  UGC 9813 lies 8.0' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5910 = H. II-400 on 13 Apr 1785 (sweep 399) and noted "F, pL, easily resolvable."  On 28 Apr 1788 (sweep 835) he logged "eF, vS, may be a few stars."  Despite his uncertainty his position was pretty accurate.  Neither John Herschel nor d'Arrest made an observation of this galaxy (brightest in HCG 74), though Stephan made a couple of observations.

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NGC 5911 = MCG +01-39-019 = CGCG 049-133 = KTG 60A = PGC 54731

15 20 18.2 +03 31 06; Ser

V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  PA = 47°

 

24" (5/11/13): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 30"x24", small brighter core.  Brightest in the KTG 60 trio with CGCG 49-134 1.6' NE and CGCG 49-135 6' SSE.  A mag 12 star and three mag 14 stars in a group is ~3' E.

 

CGCG 49-134: very faint and small, round, 12" diameter.  Faintest in the KTG 60 trio.  Three mag 14 stars to the southeast are collinear and equally spaced with the galaxy and a mag 12 star is 2.4' SE.

CGCG 49-135: very faint and small, round, 15" diameter.

 

17.5" (7/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, moderate even concentration to a small bright core, occasional stellar nucleus.  Four stars in an elongated kite asterism follow by about 3'.  Forms a close pair with an extremely faint companion CGCG 049-134 1.5' NE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5911 = St. 11-32 on 31 May 1869 with a second observation on 27 May 1875.  He measured an accurate micrometric position on 5 Jun 1880 and noted, "very faint, very small, 2 faint stars involved."

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NGC 5912 = MCG +13-11-011 = CGCG 354-022 = Holm 703a = PGC 54237

15 11 41.3 +75 23 05; UMi

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8'

 

17.5" (6/18/93): slightly brighter of pair with NGC 5909 just 48" W.  Fairly faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, bright core.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5912 = H. III-944, along with NGC 5909, on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1070 in the north, under the pole).  See NGC 5909. The declination for NGC 5912 and 5909 in the UGC, CGCG, RNGC and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 atlas is 14' too far south.

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NGC 5913 = UGC 9818 = MCG +00-39-021 = CGCG 021-079 = PGC 54761

15 20 55.4 -02 34 40; Ser

V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 168°

 

17.5" (7/9/94): faint, moderately large, low irregular surface brightness.  Poorly defined edge makes shape difficult to clearly determine but appears elongated 4:3 roughly N-S.  Halo increases with averted to 1.4'x1.1'.  A mag 14 star is 1.7' E of center.  Located 10' SSE of mag 6.4 SAO 140473.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5913 = H. III-374 = h1918 = h3599 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400) and recorded "eF, pL, r."  His position is at the north edge of UGC 9818.  John Herschel made observations from Slough and then the Cape of Good Hope where he logged "vF; lE; gradually brighter in the middle; 25" l, 20" br."

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NGC 5914 = MCG +07-31-055 = CGCG 221-051 = CGCG 221-001 = Holm 706a = PGC 57792

15 18 43.7 +41 51 56; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 165°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.3', very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 11' NNW of mag 7.9 SAO 45483.  NGC 5914B (double system), just 1.5' N, was not seen.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5914 = St. 12-71 on 8 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 8' too far SSW.  On 16 May 1882 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "faint, very small, round, involves one or more very faint stars."

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NGC 5915 = MCG -02-39-019 = UGCA 407 = PGC 54816

15 21 33.2 -13 05 32; Lib

V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

18" (6/17/04): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE.  Contains a bright, sharply concentrated, 20" core.  A faint star is embedded on the south side of the halo (34" from center).  Brightest in a trio with NGC 5916 4.5' SSE and NGC 5916A.

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.7', brighter along the major axis but halo appears rounder.  A mag 15 star is at the south edge 33" from center and a mag 12.5 star is 2.1' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5916 4.5' SSE. 

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, small, fairly compact, round, slightly brighter core.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5915 = h3600, along with NGC 5916, on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "B; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15". The preceding of 2." His position is accurate.

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NGC 5916 = MCG -02-39-020 = PGC 54825

15 21 37.9 -13 10 09; Lib

V = 13.1;  Size 2.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

 

18" (6/17/04): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.3'x0.6'.  Broad concentration to a slightly brighter, irregularly round 25" core.  The outer halo has a pretty low surface brightness. In a trio with slightly brighter NGC 5915 4.7' WNW and much fainter NGC 5916A 7' NW.

 

NGC 5916A appeared very faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star on the NW edge of the galaxy hampers the view!

 

17.5" (5/30/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, low even surface brightness.  The major axis is elongated at a right angle to NGC 5915 located 4.5' WNW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5916 = h3601, along with NGC 5915, on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 25".  The following of 2." His position is accurate.

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NGC 5917 = Arp 254N = MCG -01-39-002 = PGC 54809

15 21 32.6 -07 22 39; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 70°

 

48" (5/9/21): at 488x; bright, fairly small, irregular shape, ~0.9'x0.6', broader on the SW side and tapers on the NE end, contains brighter patches or an arm on the NE side. The bright core seems a bit off-center.  A mag 15 star is just off the S side [33" from center].  Forms an interacting pair (Arp 254) with MCG -01-39-003 4' S.

 

The companion was fairly bright, elongated 3:1 N-S, strong concentration with a bright, relatively central region and faint extensions ~1.0'x0.3'.  With careful viewing the northern arm could be traced further out (portion of a very low surface brightness tidal tail) for a total length of 1.6'.  A mag 10 star is 1.7' WNW.

 

17.5" (7/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, brighter along the major axis.  A mag 15 star is just off the SW edge.  Forms an interacting pair (Arp 254) with MCG -01-39-003 4.2' S.  Located 4' NNE of a mag 10 star.

 

MCG -01-39-003 (nicknamed the "Hooked Galaxy") appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  A mag 10 star is 1.8' ESE.  On deep images MCG -01-39-003 has two tidal tails, with a long one stretching north about 2/3 of the way to NGC 5917 and then hooking east at the end.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5917 = h3602 on 16 Jul 1835 and recorded "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 10"."

 

Supernova SN 2005cf exploded in the vicinity of the bridge connecting NGC 5917 and MCG -01-39-003 in May 2005.

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NGC 5918 = UGC 9817 = MCG +08-28-017 = CGCG 249-016 = PGC 54690

15 19 25.3 +45 52 48; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 85°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W,1.4'x0.7', weak concentration.  A nice unequal double star (mag 10.5/13) at 16" separation is 2.8' SSW of center.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5918 = h1920 on 26 Apr 1830 and recorded "pB; pmE; very gradually little brighter middle; 60" long, 40" broad."  The next sweep he logged "vF; L; mE; very little brighter middle; north of a double star." His mean position is just off the west edge of UGC 9817.

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NGC 5919 = MCG +01-39-020 NED5 = CGCG 049-142 NED3 = WBL 564-002 = PGC 54812 = PGC 54826

15 21 36.9 +07 43 10; Ser

V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.4'

 

24" (6/23/17): at 375x; faint, small, roundish, 15" diameter, low surface brightness and surprisingly faint for an NGC galaxy.  Several nearby companions were identified with careful viewing -

 

CGCG 049-144, 1.2' ENE of NGC 5919, appeared very faint, extremely small, round, only 6"-8" diameter.

PGC 54838, 1.6' NNW of NGC 5920, appeared faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter, 15th mag stars are 0.8' SSW and 0.8' NNW.

2MASX J15213154+0744254, 1.9' NW of NGC 5919, appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

2MASX J15213639+0744209, 1.2' N of NGC 5919, appeared extremely faint (V = 16.1) and small, round, 9" diameter.  Only occasionally pops with averted vision but sighting repeated several times.

2MASX J15213619+0742369, 0.6' S of NGC 5919, was extremely faint and small, only occasionally glimpsed close south of NGC 5919 [34" between centers].

 

17.5" (7/9/94): extremely faint, small, round, 0.3' diameter, very low even surface brightness.  Requires averted vision to glimpse although appears to "grow" in size close to 1.0' diameter.  On continued observation, the galaxy resolves into a second and possibly a third member very close that pops into view momentarily.  It was very difficult, though, to view these simultaneously.  One of these glows might be CGCG 049-144, which is 1.2' ENE of NGC 5919.  Forms a group (MKW 3s) along with brighter NGC 5920 4' ESE.  The POSS reveals six faint galaxies within 2' of this galaxy!  Member of AGC 2063.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5919 = Sw. 6-77, along with NGC 5920, on 30 Mar 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; wide double star near, e difficult; np of 2."  His position is 10 sec of time west of CGCG 049-142/144 = PGC 54826.  There are at least 6 small nearby galaxies near his position so this identification is not certain, but this is the brightest single galaxy north-preceding NGC 5920 = UGC 9822.  Harold Corwin came to the same conclusion regarding the identifications (personal e-mail on 27 Sep 1994).

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NGC 5920 = UGC 9822 = CGCG 049-145 = WBL 564-004 = PGC 54839

15 21 51.8 +07 42 32; Ser

V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

24" (6/23/17): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~5:4, ~40"x32".  Exhibited a broad weak concentration with a slight brighter, but ill-defined core.  Situated 10' SW of mag 8.7 HD 136797.  NGC 5920 is the brightest of at least 7 galaxies within 5.4'!

 

PGC 54838, situated 1.6' N, appeared faint (V = 15.2), small, round, 12"-15" diameter, 15th mag stars are 0.8' SSW and 0.8' NNW.

 

17.5" (7/9/94): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very low surface brightness with a very slight concentration.  Located between a mag 14 star off NW edge 1.1' from center and a mag 15 star just off the SE edge.  Two mag 10/11 stars lie 4.5' SSW and 3.3' SSW, respectively.  This galaxy is the brightest in cluster AGC 2063 with NGC 5919 3' W.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5920 = Sw. 6-78, along with NGC 5919, on 30 Mar 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; ee diff; sf of 2 [with NGC 5919]."  His position matches UGC 9822 though UGC doesn't label this galaxy as N5920.  NGC 5920 is the brightest in a group (MKW 3s) of about 10 galaxies.  See notes on NGC 5919.

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NGC 5921 = UGC 9824 = MCG +01-39-021 = CGCG 049-146 = PGC 54849

15 21 56.5 +05 04 14; Ser

V = 10.8;  Size 4.9'x4.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 130°

 

48" (5/1/19): at 545x; superb barred ring spiral, very sharply concentrated with an intense, round nucleus.  The central 1.25' bar was easily visible extending SSW-NNE, and displayed a pretty even surface brightness.  A fairly low contrast circular ring was visible enclosing the bar and nucleus.  The northern spiral arm was attached at the north end of the bar and curled clockwise, extending west for ~1.5'.  A prominent southern arm was fairly straight as it extended 1.25' ESE from the south end of the bar (at a right angle).  The diffuse eastern part of the halo had a low, but irregular surface brightness.  A mag 12.0 star is at the southwest side, 1.2' from center and a mag 10.3 star is 2.9' SE.  A curve of stars extends directly south of the galaxy and a number of stars are close west.

 

UGC 9830, located 36' SSE, appeared  faint, fairly large, extremely thin edge-on, ~10:1 SW-NE, ~1.5''x0.15', very low nearly even surface brightness.  A mag 13.6 star is attached at the east edge near the center and detracts from viewing.

 

24" (7/25/14): at 260x, this multi-armed barred spiral appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, sharply concentrated with a striking, very bright core.  A slightly brighter bar (fairly low contrast) extends SSW to NNE.  The very beginning of a spiral arm is evident as an elongated glow at the north end of the bar, extending a very short distance to the northwest.  The view was improved at 385x with a strong hint of a second spiral arm beginning at the south end of the bar and starting to bend east. Contains a bright, sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 10 star is 3' SE and a mag 12 star is at the southwest edge.

 

17.5" (7/16/93): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 2.0'x1.4', small bright core dominates, stellar nucleus.  Located 2.9' WNW of a mag 9.5 star.  A mag 12 star is just at the SW edge 1.1' from center.  This star is at the end of a distinctive arc of four mag 11-12 stars leading to the galaxy on the south side.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5921 = H. I-148 = h1919 on 1 May 1786 (sweep 561).  His description reads, "cB, cL, bM, iR.  Stars scattered over and about it; not belonging to it."  On 17 Apr 1855, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell, logged "suspect spiral like an 'S'.  Mr Johnstone Stoney saw the np branch with considerable certainty, the sf one not so sure."

 

The October 1912 Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific includes a photograph (3-hour exposure) with the Crossley reflector. Curtis described NGC 5921 as a "very interesting spiral.  Fairly strong nucleus, about which is an oval 1.8' long, whose longer axis is crossed by a straight lane of matter; from the ends of this oval spring the two main whorls of the spiral; other fainter whorls are visible."

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NGC 5922 = NGC 5923: = UGC 9823 = MCG +07-32-001 = CGCG 221-052 = CGCG 222-002 = Holm 707a = PGC 54780

15 21 14.2 +41 43 33; Boo

 

See observing notes for NGC 5923.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5922 = H. III-661 = h1921 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "eF, S."  His position is 6' south and 10 sec of RA east of UGC 9823 - a comparable offset to several previous objects in the sweep.  Because of Herschel's poor position and perhaps the comment "small", John Herschel assumed he discovered the galaxy and reported h1921 as a "Nova" at the correct position.  So, NGC 5922 = NGC 5923.  RNGC classifies this number as a star.

 

John Herschel discovered h1922 on 6 May 1828, though he assumed it was his father's H. III-661.  No measured RA is given (just WH's rough RA) and the declination is 4' south of NGC 5923.  Close to JH's offset in declination is a 17" pair of mag 16 stars, and JH possibly glimpsed these stars (he gave no description).

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NGC 5923 = NGC 5922: = UGC 9823 = MCG +07-32-001 = CGCG 221-052 = CGCG 222-002 = Holm 707a = PGC 54780

15 21 14.2 +41 43 33; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.2

 

17.5" (7/15/93): faint, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, low surface brightness, broad weak concentration.

 

John Herschel found NGC 5923 = h1921 on 6 May 1828 and logged "F; pL; lE; very gradually brighter middle."  He made a total of 4 observations (including sweep 151), with size estimates of 40" and 60".  Because of his father's poor position for NGC 5922, he assumed his observation was new and reported it as a "Nova".  So, NGC 5922 = NGC 5923.  By historical precedence, the primary designation should be NGC 5922, but this galaxy is known as NGC 5923 due to the unambiguous position.

 

On sweep 151, he also made an observation of what he assumed was H. III-661 at ~4' south of the NGC 5923.  Close to this position is a 17" pair of 16 mag stars.  This is perhaps what Herschel took for H. III-661, though there is no description and perhaps h1922 is just a empty placeholder for his father's number.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 5924 = MCG +05-36-015 = CGCG 165-043 = PGC 54850

15 22 02.0 +31 13 58; CrB

V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 15°

 

17.5" (7/3/97): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.4'x0.3' (outer arms not viewed).  A mag 14.5 star at the SSE edge confuses the observation as it is similar in brightness to the galaxy.  Nearly collinear with three mag 13-14 stars between 4' and 6.5' SE.  MCG +05-36-026 (brightest galaxy in AGC 2067 - Corona Borealis supercluster) lies 25' E.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5924 = St. 12-72 on 3 May 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 3.4' E of center.  His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 10 Jun 1882 with description "Two faint stars, the most northern of which seems surrounded by a very faint nebulosity; very small; irregular."  One star is at the SSE end, the other "star" is the nucleus.

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NGC 5925 = Cr 291 = ESO 177-006

15 27 27 -54 31 42; Nor

Size 15'

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 110x appears as a large, fairly rich cluster of ~150 stars mag 11 to 14 in a 25'x12' group (roughly rectangular) elongated SSW to NNE.  Not concentrated and without any distinctive rich clumps, though many stars forming small subgroups.  Situated in a rich region of the Milky Way and not distinguishable at moderate power but fairly detached using low power.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5925 = h3603 on 28 Jul 1826 and recorded "a most numerous and beautiful milky way group or cluster covering a space of 1.5 or 2 fields diameter (20' or 30') entirely composed of double and triple stars, and distinct groups of 4 or 5 nearly of a size (10th and 11th mag) on a black ground. Perhaps 100 or 150 stars in field."  The next night he logged "a remarkable cluster, 20' diameter, R, very discrete, and composed of small groups of 2, 3, 4 stars, chiefly 11, 12 and 13th mag, sufficiently insulated from the rest of the pretty rich neighbourhood to be considered a cluster."

 

JH credited James Dunlop with the discovery (D 357), but Dunlop's position is a much better fit with NGC 5593 and an hour off in time from NGC 5925.  Dreyer associated D 357 with both NGC 5593 and NGC 5925 in the NGC, so there was clearly some confusion.

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NGC 5926 = MCG +02-39-026 = CGCG 077-109 = VIII Zw 468 = Holm 708a = Mrk 853 = PGC 54950

15 23 24.9 +12 42 55; Ser

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

17.5" (7/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, even concentration to a bright core, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 1' ESE.  Forms a right angle with a mag 9.5 star 2.5' WNW and a mag 12.5 star 2.2' SSW.  Located 17' NE of 17 Serpentis (V = 6.3).

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5926 = Sw. 1-44 on 15 Jun 1884 and recorded "F; vS; forms a right angle triangle with 2 stars."  His position is 30 sec of time too large, but his description is a perfect match.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20-inch refractor in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5927 = ESO 224-4

15 28 00.4 -50 40 22; Lup

V = 8.0;  Size 12.0';  Surf Br = 1.4

 

18" (7/4/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this fairly bright globular is fairly large, roundish, ~6' diameter.  Broadly concentrated to a 3' core that brightened slightly to the center.  Within the halo and scattered just outside the periphery of the ragged halo are two dozen faint stars, though it was difficult to clearly distinguish these outliers from the uniformly rich star field that surrounds the globular.  At 228x, at least three dozen mag 14-15.5 stars were resolved and the core was very lively and granulated. I had the strong impression that it was on the verge of more extensive resolution.  A mag 10 star lies 4.5' due south of center with a mag 11 star 3' NW.  The halo extends to nearly the line connecting these two stars. NGC 5927 forms a pair with globular NGC 5946 just over a degree following within Norma.

 

8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): moderately bright, fairly small, 4' diameter, round, gradually increases to bright core, lively but no resolved.  Fainter gc NGC 5946 is 70' E.  Viewed at only 14° elevation from Baja.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5927 = D 389 = h3604 on 8 May 1826.  His summary description (based on 8 observations) reads "a very fine round pretty bright nebula, about 3' diameter, gradually brighter towards the centre, and well defined at the margin: this is resolvable. With a power of 260 it has a beautiful globular appearance. The stars are considerably scattered on the south side."

 

John Herschel first observed this globular on 7 Jul 1834 (sweep 467): "globular, B, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, diam in RA = 16 seconds. Comes up to a bright blaze in middle. Resolved by left eye. Stars 17th mag."  On 15 Apr 1836 (sweep 693) he recorded, "globular, pB, fine highly condensed, very gradually brighter middle, 3' diameter, clearly resolved. I see all the stars (15th mag) well."

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NGC 5928 = UGC 9847 = MCG +03-39-027 = CGCG 106-042 = PGC 55072

15 26 02.9 +18 04 25; Ser

V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 105°

 

17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, small bright core.  Located 6.0' SSW of mag 7.8 SAO 101554.  Forms a pair with UGC 9841 14' NNW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5928 = H. II-874 = h1923 on 24 May 1791 (sweep 1006) and recorded "pB, pL, very gradually much brighter middle, iR."  John Herschel made a single observation "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; a * 7.8m, 6' north."  In the IC 1 Notes section, Dreyer mentions this galaxy is possibly M102.

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NGC 5929 = Arp 90 NED1 = UGC 9851 = MCG +07-32-006 = CGCG 222-007w = I Zw 112 NED1 = VV 823 NED1 = Holm 710b = LGG 399-004 = PGC 55076

15 26 06.1 +41 40 14; Boo

V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

 

18" (5/3/08): this is the southwest member of a contact, interacting pair with brighter NGC 5930.  At 280x it appeared moderately bright, small, round, 25" diameter, high surface brightness, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  The pair is separated by only 34" between centers and barely resolved.

 

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, very small, round, small bright nucleus.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 5930 attached at the NE end 34" between centers.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5929 = h1924 on 13 May 1828 and recorded "the sp of 2 very near constituting a double neb.  The fainter and smaller."  His description for h1925 = NGC 5930 reads "The nf [NGC 5930], larger and brighter of a double neb.  Pos of the other [NGC 5929] 35° sp, dist about 15".  Not described as double by my Father."  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5930 = Arp 90 NED2 = UGC 9852 = MCG +07-32-007 = CGCG 222-007 NED2 = I Zw 112 NED2 = VV 823 NED2 = Holm 710a = LGG 399-001 = PGC 55080

15 26 07.9 +41 40 34; Boo

V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 163°

 

18" (5/3/08): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.3'x0.6'.  Contains a small, bright round core.  Interacting pair (Arp 90) with NGC 5929 attached on the southwest side of the core.

 

13.1" (4/28/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, small bright nucleus.  NGC 5929 is attached at the SW end with just 34" separation between centers.

 

8" (6/19/82): faint, small, diffuse, elongated SW-NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5930 = H. II-651 = h1925 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "F, pL, iF, easily resolvable."  John Herschel made four observations and recorded on 13 May 1828, "The nf [NGC 5930], larger and brighter of a double neb.  Pos of the other [NGC 5929] 35° sp, dist about 15".  Not described as double by my Father."

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NGC 5931 = MCG +01-39-023 = CGCG 049-180 = PGC 55233

15 29 29.5 +07 34 23; Ser

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  PA = 40°

 

24" (6/13/15): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1.9' W.  Forms a pair with IC 1122 is 3' NW.  Brightest in a group (WBL 568) that includes CGCG 049-170, -171, -172 and -173.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' W and a mag 11 star is 3.4' SSE of center.  NGC 5940 lies 28' ESE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5931 = Sw. 6-81, along with NGC 5940, 5941, 5942 and 5944, on 19 Apr 1887.  He noted "eF; pL; R" and his position is just 4 sec of RA preceding CGCG 049-180 = PGC 55233.  Barnard independently found this galaxy on 15 May 1890 while searching for the asteroid Eucharis and called it "vF, 13m neb, R, very gradually brighter middle, 3/4' dia, a 11m star 1' p."  Dreyer later assumed this was the same as Bigourdan's IC 1122 so didn't assign it a separate IC designation..

 

CGCG and MCG mislabel NGC 5931 as IC 1122.  HyperLeda labels this galaxy as both NGC 5931 and IC 1122.  But according to Thomson and Corwin, IC 1122 = LEDA 1326415 is a very small and faint galaxy exactly where Bigourdan placed it ~3' NW of NGC 5931. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 5932 = MCG +08-28-033 = CGCG 249-023 = PGC 55109

15 26 48.2 +48 36 54; Boo

V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

 

17.5" (7/15/93): faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 5933 2.2' E.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5932 = Sw. 6-79, along with NGC 5933, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; R; np of 2 [with NGC 5933].  His position is 8 sec of RA east and 2.6' north of CGCG 249-023 = PGC 55109.

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NGC 5933 = MCG +08-28-034 = CGCG 249-024 = PGC 55117

15 27 01.5 +48 36 48; Boo

V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): very faint, extremely small, round, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 15.5 star is 1' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 5932 2.5' W.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5933 = Sw. 6-80, along with NGC 5932, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; vS; R; sf of 2 [with NGC 5932].  His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1.7' north of  CGCG 249-024 = PGC 55117, but the identifications are certain.

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NGC 5934 = UGC 9862 = MCG +07-32-011 = CGCG 222-011 = I Zw 113 = PGC 55178

15 28 12.7 +42 55 47; Boo

V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 2°

 

24" (7/28/16): at 375x; fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', broad concentration.  There appears to be a very low surface brightness hazy extension off the southwest side with averted vision (confirmed on the DSS and SDSS as a tidal plume).  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5935 1.1' NE.  Located 6.5' NE of a mag 7.5 star (very wide pair with a mag 9.8 star).  A mag 13/13.5 pair at ~20" is 2' NW.  In a group (distance ~250 million l.y. including NGC 5945 17' E and NGC 5943 19' SE

 

CGCG 222-012 = PGC 55173 lies 4.8' N.  It appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 30"x15", low even surface brightness (no core or zones).  A mag 14.3 star is at the north edge.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.9' E of center.  A closely matched mag 13/13.5 double star at 20" separation is 2' WNW.  A wide unequal mag 7.6/9.7 pair at 41" separation lies 7' WSW.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 5935 1.1' NE.  First in a group of five including NGC 5945 16' E, NGC 5943 19' ESE, NGC 5947 and 29' ESE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5934 = St. 11-33, along with NGC 5935, on 2 Jun 1869.  His rough position was 12' to the SW but he noted "two nebulae".  A second observation was made on 5 Jun 1878 (no comments).   His published position in list 11, #33 was reduced on 12 Jun 1880 with description "faint, small, irregular round, little elongated N-S, 2 stars involved."  Harold Corwin notes that NGC 5935 is misidentified in the UGC Notes for NGC 5934.

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NGC 5935 = MCG +07-32-013 = CGCG 222-013 = I Zw 113 NOTES2 = PGC 55183

15 28 16.6 +42 56 38; Boo

V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 30°

 

24" (7/28/16): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x12", sharply concentrated with a very small or stellar nucleus.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 5934 1.1' SW.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.2' SE.  CGCG 222-012 is 4' NNW.  In a group (WBL 569 and WBL 572) that includes NGC 5945 16' E.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, very small brighter core.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' ESE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 5934 1' SW.  Second in a group of five galaxies with NGC 5945 16' E.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5935 = St. 11-34, along with NGC 5934, on 2 Jun 1869. A second observation was made on 5 Jun 1878.  His published position in list 11, #34 was reduced on 12 Jun 1880 with description "*13, 14 seems slightly nebulous."  There are no stars involved, though the nucleus is essentially stellar. Harold Corwin notes that NGC 5935 is misidentified in the UGC Notes as NGC 5934 = UGC 9862.

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NGC 5936 = UGC 9867 = MCG +02-39-030 = CGCG 077-137 = CGCG 078-001 = PGC 55255

15 30 00.8 +12 59 21; Ser

V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly faint, fairly small, diffuse, almost even surface brightness.  Located 13' ESE of mag 7.1 SAO 101577.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5936 = H. II-130 = Sf. 24 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 190) and recorded "F, not S, iF, resolvable."  d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position (given in the NGC) and Stephan made another observation on 6 May 1871 (2' to the south).  When Truman Safford found the galaxy on 1 Jun 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory, he assumed it was new and included it in his 1887 discovery list (#24).

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NGC 5937 = MCG +00-40-001 = CGCG 022-002 = PGC 55281

15 30 46.2 -02 49 45; Ser

V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 30°

 

17.5" (7/7/94): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8', broad moderate concentration although no distinct core.  An arc of four mag 11-13 stars curving N-S follows with the mag 11 star 3.4' NNE of center.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5937 = H. II-401 = h1926 = h3606 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400).  His description reads, "pretty faint, pretty large, very little brighter in the middle, resolvable, preceding 3 small stars that are in a row."  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel wrote "pB; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 18"."

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NGC 5938 = ESO 099-007 = AM 1531-664 = PGC 55582

15 36 26.4 -66 51 37; TrA

V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 177°

 

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Two stars are at opposite ends of the galaxy; a mag 13.5 star is at the NNE edge and a mag 14.5 star is at the SSW edge.  Also a mag 12.5 star [7" double] is just off the south side and a 15th magnitude star is superimposed.  Situated in a very rich Milky Way star field with a huge number of mag 13 and fainter stars!  Located 33' S of mag 4.1 Epsilon Triangulum Australe.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5938 = h3605 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "F, S, among a crowd of milky way stars.  No doubt as to its nebulous character. All that is starry in the field is clearly resolved."  His position from this single sweep matches perfectly with ESO 099-007.

 

RNGC classifies this number as an unverified southern object.  As a result, it is not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas nor listed in the first edition of the Deep Sky Field Guide.

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NGC 5939 = UGC 9854 = MCG +12-15-007 = CGCG 338-008 = PGC 55022

15 24 46.0 +68 43 50; UMi

V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 35°

 

17.5" (6/14/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 40"x25", even surface brightness.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5939 = Sw. 1-45 on 11 Jul 1883 and noted "pB; lE; pS."  His position matches UGC 9854.  This galaxy was discovered just 2 nights after he started systematically searching for nebulae with the 16-inch refractor

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NGC 5940 = UGC 9876 = MCG +01-39-025 = CGCG 050-007 = Mrk 1511 = PGC 55295

15 31 18.0 +07 27 28; Ser

V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

17.5" (7/7/94): faint, round, 45" diameter, weak concentration but no distinct core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' WNW of center.  The HCG 76 quartet (including NGC 5941, NGC 5942, NGC 5944) lies about 12' SE at the edge of the 225x field.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5940 = Sw. 6-82, along with NGC 5941/42/44 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF, pS, R, 1st of 4."  His position is 1.4' due north of UGC 9876.

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NGC 5941 = HCG 76B = MCG +01-40-003 = CGCG 050-011e = PGC 55309

15 31 40.2 +07 20 20; Ser

V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

48" (4/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', round, small bright core.  Forms a very close pair with HCG 76F 15" SW.  The companion appeared faint, very small, round, 10" diameter and was barely resolved off the southwest side.  NGC 5941 is one of the three brightest members of HCG 76.  HCG 76G, situated just 1.2' NW, appeared extremely to very faint, thin ghostly streak with averted, ~8:1 NW-SE, ~40"x5", low even surface brightness.

 

18" (8/3/05): the brightest member of HCG 76 appeared faint, small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.35', contains a very small brighter core.  Forms the northern vertex of a rectangular quartet with NGC 5942, NGC 5944 and MCG +01-40-002.  Although visually the brightest in the group, this galaxy does not receive a NGC designation in any modern catalogue.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5', weak concentration to a brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  This is the brightest galaxy in HCG 76 with NGC 5944 2.6' SE, MCG +01-40-002 = HCG 76d and NGC 5942 1.8' SSW.  This galaxy is not identified as NGC 5941 in any modern catalogue.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5941 = Sw. 6-83, along with NGC 5940/42/44, on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; ee diff; 2nd of 4."  NGC 5941/42/44 refer to 3 of the 4 members of HCG 76.  Unfortunately his positions were not accurate enough to easily pin down the identities.  Modern catalogues identify NGC 5941 = HCG 76C, NGC 5942 = HCG 76D and NGC 5944 = HCG 76A.  That leaves HCG 76B without an NGC number, although visually I found it the most prominent in the group visually, so Swift would not have likely missed it.

 

Based on correspondence with Corwin, he agrees that NGC 5941 = HCG 76B, and all modern catalogues are incorrect.  Corwin also suggests NGC 5942 = HCG 76C and NGC 5944 = HCG 76A. These agree with Bigourdan's assignments (he picked up 3 members) and leaves HCG 76D without a number. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for the full story.

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NGC 5942 = HCG 76C = MCG +01-40-001 = CGCG 050-009 = PGC 55316

15 31 36.8 +07 18 45; Ser

V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

 

48" (4/20/17): at 375x; moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, round, well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 45" NW.  One of the three brightest members of the HCG 76 septet.  NGC 5941 lies 1.6' NE.  HCG 76D, situated 2' SE, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

 

18" (8/3/05): at 257x appeared very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small slightly brighter core.  A mag 14 star is close NW.  Third brightest in a tight quartet (HCG 76) with NGC 5941, NGC 5944 and MCG +01-40-002. This galaxy is identified as NGC 5941 in all modern catalogues!

 

17.5" (7/7/94): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 14.5 star is off the NW side 45" from center.  This is the third brightest of four in HCG 76 with MCG +01-40-002 = HCG 76D 2.0' SE, NGC 5944 2.7' E and NGC 5941 1.8' NNE.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5942 = Sw. 6-84, along with NGC 5940, -41 and -44, on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; eee diff; 3rd of 4."  See notes for NGC 5941 on problems with the modern identifications.

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NGC 5943 = UGC 9870 = MCG +07-32-016 = CGCG 222-016 = WBL 572-002 = PGC 55242

15 29 44.0 +42 46 41; Boo

V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7

 

24" (7/28/16): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated perhaps 5:3 ~N-S, ~40"x32", well concentrated with a bright core that gradually increases to the center.  In a group (WBL 572 and WBL 569) with NGC 5945 8.5' N, CGCG 222-015 = PGC 55238 7.5' S, NGC 5947 10' ESE and NGC 5934/5935 19' NW.  CGCG 222-015 appeared fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, small, round, even surface brightness except for very small brighter core.  Third of five in a group with NGC 5945 8.5' N and NGC 5947 10' ESE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5943 = St. 13-82, along with NGC 5947, on 5 Jun 1869.  His rough unpublished position was 6' too far SSW.  He logged additional observations on 26 and 28 May 1875, 6 Jun 1877 and 5 Jun 1878.  His published position was reduced on 18 Jun 1884 with description "very faint, pretty small, diffuse, stellar [center]."

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NGC 5944 = HCG 76A = MCG +01-40-004 = CGCG 050-013: = PGC 55321

15 31 47.6 +07 18 29; Ser

V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 111°

 

48" (4/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 35"x10", bulges slightly in the center and tapers at the tips.  Second brightest in the HCG 76 septet.  HCG 76E lies 40" ENE.

 

18" (8/3/05): at 257x appeared faint to very faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE though took some effort to make out the elongation, 0.5'x0.25', low fairly even surface brightness.  Second brightest in quartet and eastern vertex of the small rectangular grouping of HCG 76.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): very faint, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration, slightly brighter core.  Second brightest in the HCG 76 with MCG +01-40-002 = HCG 76D 1.8' SW, NGC 5941 2.6' NW and NGC 5942 2.7' W.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5944 = Sw. 6-85, along with NGC 5940, -41 and -42 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; eee diff; 4th of 4."  See notes for NGC 5941 on problems with the modern identifications.

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NGC 5945 = UGC 9871 = MCG +07-32-017 = CGCG 222-017 = PGC 55243

15 29 45.0 +42 55 07; Boo

V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 105°

 

24" (7/28/16): at 260x; moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus.  A faint bar extends ~N-S from the nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the NNE end and a fainter mag 15-15.5 is on the west side [20" from center].  In a group with NGC 5943 8.5' S, NGC 5934/5935 17' W and NGC 5947 15' SE.

 

17.5" (6/21/93): faint, round, 1.2' diameter, gradually brighter halo, small brighter core.  Fourth and brightest of five in a group with NGC 5943 8.5' S.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5945 = St. 11-35, along with NGC 5943, on 6 Jun 1877.  A second observation was made on 5 Jun 1878.  His published position was reduced on 12 Jun 1880 and matches UGC 9871.  His first observation may have been on 4 Jun 1869, but his rough position was off by 9', so the identification isn't certain.

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NGC 5946 = ESO 224-7 = IC 4550

15 35 28.5 -50 39 35; Nor

V = 9.5;  Size 7.1';  Surf Br = 1.7

 

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this globular appeared moderately bright, moderately large, round.  The halo extends to 3' diameter with averted vision and surrounds a brighter 1' core.  At 228x a number of very faint stars were just resolved around the periphery of the halo in moments of better seeing.  Perhaps two dozen stars were resolved in total including a bright mag 12 star (superimposed field star?).  Many of the resolved stars form a semi-circular loop, ringing the halo along the entire eastern half of the globular.  Several mag 10-11 stars form a long chain curving around from the SW to the east side, ~5' from the cluster.  NGC 5946 is situated within a beautiful Norma star field ~70' E of the brighter globular cluster NGC 5927.

 

8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): faint, very small, 1.5' diameter, round, almost even surface brightness with a weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is at the WSW edge (field star).  The core appeared displaced towards this star.  No additional resolution was evident.  Located in a rich star field with globular cluster NGC 5927 70' W.  Viewed at about 14° elevation from Baja.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5946 = h3607, along with NGC 5927, on 8 May 1826.  On a second observation on 26 June he wrote, "a small round faint nebula, about 30" diameter, slightly condensed to the center.  A group of small stars south rather following."  His rough position was 6 minutes of time following NGC 5927 (the actual value is 7+ minutes).  Due to an oversight he missed including it in his published list (there are other examples including NGC 6300 and 1947), so it didn't receive a Dunlop number and he wasn't credited by Herschel (in his Cape catalogue) or by Dreyer in the NGC.

 

 John Herschel rediscovered NGC 5946 on 8 May 1826 (sweep 467) and recorded "not vB; S; gradually little brighter middle; 90"; resolved into stars 16m, with one of 12m, at or a little beyond the sp edge."  His position (mean of two observations) is accurate.

 

Lewis Swift independently found this globular again on 24 May 1898 and reported as new in his 11th discovery list, #180 (later IC 4550).  He noted it as "pB; pS; lE."  His position is 42 sec of time too far west, but as Harold Corwin notes, there are no other possible nearby candidates.  This was his most southerly observation from California and one of his very last.  So, NGC 5946 = IC 4550.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 5947 = UGC 9877 = MCG +07-32-019 = CGCG 222-019 = PGC 55274

15 30 36.7 +42 43 00; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9

 

17.5" (6/21/93): extremely faint, fairly small, round, very low even surface brightness.  Last of five in a group with NGC 5943 10' WNW. [Also see observations of MCG +07-32-015 and UGC 9873].

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5947 = St. 13-83, along with NGC 5943, on 5 Jun 1869.  His single rough unpublished position was 2' SSW of the galaxy.  Additional observations were made on 6 Jun 1877 and 5 Jun 1878.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 18 Jun 1884 (list 13, #83) with the description "very faint, small, diffuse."

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NGC 5948

15 32 58.6 +03 58 58; Ser

 

= **?, Gottlieb.  = Not found, RNGC.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5948 = St. 12-73 on 8 Jun 1871.  There is nothing at his initial position though 3' W is a tight pair of stars oriented northwest-southeast with a separation ~2".  His published micrometric position was made 10 years later on 14 Jun 1881 with description "faint star surrounded by a very weak nebulosity: this one almost touches another very faint star."

 

RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 5949 = UGC 9866 = MCG +11-19-008 = CGCG 319-016 = PGC 55165

15 28 00.8 +64 45 46; Dra

V = 12.0;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 147°

 

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, moderately large, oval, even surface brightness.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5949 = H. II-906 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1103, under the pole).  He noted "faint, small, little extended from south preceding to north following, very gradually little brighter middle."

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NGC 5950 = UGC 9884 = MCG +07-32-021 = CGCG 222-020 = PGC 55305

15 31 30.8 +40 25 48; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 37°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE.  A mag 13.5 star is just at the north edge of the halo 1.0' from center. A nice right triangle of three brighter stars is about 5' SW with mag 9 SAO 45583 at the vertex with a mag 10 star 40" N and a mag 11 star 50" E.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5950 = St. 12-74 on 20 May 1870 and recorded a rough position 3' too far ENE.  His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 21 Jun 1882 with description "vF, S, R, preceded by a small star a little north."

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NGC 5951 = UGC 9895 = MCG +03-40-003 = CGCG 107-003 = KTG 62A = Holm 713a = LGG 400-001 = PGC 55435

15 33 43.1 +15 00 26; Ser

V = 12.7;  Size 3.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 5°

 

24" (6/8/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, large, excellent thin edge-on N-S, 2.4'x0.4'.  Brighter along a thin strip of the major axis (like a very thin bar) and brightens slightly in the central 0.3'.  The extensions fade out towards the tips.  First in the KTG 62 triplet with NGC 5953/5954 = Arp 91 = VV 244 17' NE.  Located 7' SW of a mag 9.1 star.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x0.6', fairly low surface brightness, broad concentration with slightly brighter middle and very faint extensions.  Located 7.0' SW of mag 8.9 SAO 101619.  NGC 5953/NGC 5954 pair is 17' NE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5951 = H. II-654 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "F, E about 1 1/2' long from np to sf, but nearer the meridian."  John Herschel didn't make an observation, though Stephan took a look on 19 May 1871.

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NGC 5952 = CGCG 050-030 = PGC 55496

15 34 56.4 +04 57 32; Ser

V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 131°

 

17.5" (7/3/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Requires averted but observation definite.  NGC 5955 lies 7' NE.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): very marginal sighting and not confidently seen.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5952 = m 288 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stell."  His position matches CGCG 050-030 = PGC 55496.  Harold Corwin notes that Bigourdan's IC 1126 applies to a nearby star, and not NGC 5952.

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NGC 5953 = Arp 91 NED1 = VV 244a = UGC 9903 = MCG +03-40-005 = CGCG 107-008 = KTG 62B = Holm 714b = LGG 400-002 = PGC 55480

15 34 32.4 +15 11 37; Ser

V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 169°

 

24" (6/8/13): very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~45"x35", sharply concentrated with a very bright small core.  A mag 15 star is at the SW edge.  Forms a bright, partially overlapping double system (Arp 91) with NGC 5954 on the NE side.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): bright, very small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a striking high surface brightness 20" core surrounded by a much fainter halo slightly elongated ~E-W.  A mag 15-15.5 star is just visible at the SW edge 23" from the center.  Forms a striking double system (Arp 91 = VV 244) with NGC 5954 attached at the NE edge, 46" between centers.  NGC 5951 lies 16' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5953 = H. II-178 = h1927, along with NGC 5954, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 200).  He described both as "Two, vS, stellar nebula, very near each other; the southern one [NGC 5953] is the largest and their nebulosities run into each other.  240x confirmed it."  He also observed the pair on two later sweeps (571 and 720).

Lord Rosse (or his assistant Bindon Stoney) logged "pB, the nf one [NGC 5954] is larger and the light of a more diffused character; that of the preceding one [NGC 5953] is more concentrated.  A small star precedes."

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NGC 5954 = Arp 91 NED2 = VV 244b = UGC 9904 = MCG +03-40-006 = CGCG 107-008 = KTG 62C = Holm 714a = LGG 400-003 = PGC 55482

15 34 35.0 +15 12 00; Ser

V = 12.2;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 5°

 

24" (6/8/13): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.35', broad weak concentration.  Merges or partially overlaps with NGC 5953 on the SW side, 45" between centers.

 

17.5" (7/7/94): forms the NE member of a striking double system (Arp 91 = VV 244) with NGC 5953 attached at the SW side.  Fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.3'.  Almost even surface brightness but possibly brighter on the south end (photograph shows the core asymmetrically placed on the south end).  The galaxy is preceded by a string of three mag 13 stars which are 4' W.  A pair of mag 13 stars with 1' separation lies 1.5' SE.  A mag 10 star lies 6' S.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5954 = H. II-179 = h1927, along with NGC 5953, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 200).  He described both as "Two, vS, stellar nebula, very near each other; the southern one [NGC 5953] is the largest and their nebulosities run into each other.  240x confirmed it."  See NGC 5953 for more.

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NGC 5955 = MCG +01-40-006 = CGCG 050-031 = PGC 55510

15 35 12.5 +05 03 47; Ser

V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

 

17.5" (7/7/94): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Appears as an unconcentrated glow collinear with a mag 9.5 star 5.2' SE and a mag 10.5 star 7' SE.  A mag 16 companion 2.5' NNE was not seen.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5955 = m 289 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, stellar." His position is 1' north of CGCG 050-031 = PGC 55510.

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NGC 5956 = UGC 9908 = MCG +02-40-003 = CGCG 078-017 = LGG 401-001 = PGC 55501

15 34 58.6 +11 45 00; Ser

V = 12.3;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (6/4/94): moderately bright, round, 1.2' diameter, sharp concentration with a small prominent core.  Located in a small group of four stars.  Bracketed by a mag 15 star 1' NW and a mag 14 star 36" ENE of center and 2' S are a pair of mag 12 and 13.5 stars oriented N-S that are almost collinear with the galaxy.  NGC 5957 lies 19' NNE.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5956 on 29 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the mag 14 star at the east end (called mag 16), 25"-28" from center.

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NGC 5957 = UGC 9915 = MCG +02-40-004 = CGCG 078-018 = LGG 401-002 = PGC 55520

15 35 23.2 +12 02 50; Ser

V = 11.7;  Size 2.8'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.7

 

17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 E-W, 2.0'x1.5', weak even concentration to a 15" diameter brighter core.  A mag 15 star is at the SE edge 0.9' from center.  Located 2.5' SSE of a mag 10.5 star.  NGC 5956 is located 19' SSW.

 

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5957 on 29 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) is accurate.  Stephan made a follow-up observation on 3 May 1870.

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NGC 5958 = UGC 9909 = MCG +05-37-003 = CGCG 166-009 = PGC 55494

15 34 49.2 +28 39 18; CrB

V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, moderate even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 3.8' E and a mag 15 star 2.0' S of center.  Located 11' WSW of mag 8.9 SAO 83900.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5958 = H. II-399 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 397). He recorded "pretty faint, pretty large, brighter in the middle, irregularly round, resolvable."  NGC 5958 was the second to last of the 72 discoveries this night, his most productive ever.  It was the found on his second sweep, which included only two discoveries, after taking an hour break.

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NGC 5959 = MCG -03-40-002 = PGC 55625

15 37 22.4 -16 35 45; Lib

V = 13.5;  Size 2.4'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 25°

 

17.5" (6/3/00): fairly faint, moderately large, irregular round, 1.2' diameter, gradually increases to a small brighter core.  Situated between two pairs of stars.  Located 9' NNW of mag 8.3 SAO 159393.

 

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 5959 = LM 1-228 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  The "description" includes "mag 14.5, pS, vlE?, gradually brighter then suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct - just 8 sec of time preceding MCG -03-40-002 = PGC 55625.

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NGC 5960 = MCG +01-40-007 = CGCG 050-038 = PGC 55575

15 36 18.4 +05 39 55; Ser

V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, small, irregularly round (slightly elongated N-S?), almost even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.9' NNW of center.  A pair of mag 10/11 stars at 57" separation located 7' SE are collinear with NGC 5960.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5960 = m 290 on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, S neb *."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5961 = UGC 9918 = MCG +05-37-005 = CGCG 166-013 = Holm 715a = PGC 55515

15 35 16.3 +30 51 51; CrB

V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 100°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.3', fairly high even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is just 0.9' ENE of center.

 

NGC 5961 forms a pair with UGC 9920 3.7' S.  The edge-on companion appeared very faint, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 0.45'x0.15', low surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just off the north edge 26" from the center.  The redshift of UGC 9920 is 5x that of NGC 5961, so it lies far in the background.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5961 = St. 11-36 on 23 May 1871 and measured an initial position 2' to the SE.  His published micrometric position was made 9 years later on 8 Jun 1880 with description "pF, S, elongated WSW-ENE (small spindle)".  The orientation should read WNW-ESE.

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NGC 5962 = UGC 9926 = MCG +03-40-011 = CGCG 107-012 = Holm 716a = LGG 400-004 = PGC 55588

15 36 31.7 +16 36 28; Ser

V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

 

24" (7/16/15): bright, large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~2.0'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright small core that increases to a stellar nucleus.

 

VV 132 = UGC 9912 lies 20' WSW.  This irregular blue spiral appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, very low irregular surface brightness with no core.  The surface brightness wasn't smooth and it appeared to have 1 or 2 slightly brighter patches.

 

17.5" (7/16/93): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x1.5'.  Contains an elongated bright core, easy stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The fainter outer halo surrounding the core is rounder.  Located 16' WNW of mag 7.7 SAO 101654.  This is the brightest galaxy near the head of Serpens Caput.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5962 = H. II-96 = h1928 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 183) and recorded "pB, pL, bM, resolvable, not R but inclining to a parallelogram."

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NGC 5963 = UGC 9906 = MCG +09-25-058 = CGCG 297-015 = KTB 63A = PGC 55419

15 33 27.9 +56 33 35; Dra

V = 12.5;  Size 3.3'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 55°

 

24" (7/8/13): at 375x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 SW-NE.  Dominated by a large bright core with a much fainter halo that quickly dims to a very low surface brightness.  Two mag 13/14.4 stars just off the southeast side are collinear with the core and a mag 15.8 star 2' NW is also on this line.  First in the large KTG 63 trio with NGC 5965 9' NNE and NGC 5971 19' ESE.  A couple of very faint galaxies are close;  PGC 3848996, 2.2' E, was extremely faint (V = 16.2-16.3) and small, round, 8" diameter.  PGC 214388, 3' NNW, appeared very faint (V = 15.9), very small, elongated 2: 1 ~E-W, 15"x8".

 

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, brighter core.  Collinear with a mag 13 star 0.9' SSE and a mag 14 star 1.5' SSE of center.  First in the NGC 5965 group with NGC 5965 8' NNE and NGC 5969 13' SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5963 = H. II-761 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He logged "pretty faint, pretty small, irregular figure."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary). Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position used in the NGC position.

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NGC 5964 = IC 4551 = UGC 9935 = MCG +01-40-008 = CGCG 050-047 = PGC 55637

15 37 36.3 +05 58 25; Ser

V = 12.0;  Size 4.2'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 145°

 

17.5" (7/3/97): fairly faint, fairly large, irregular glow, ~2.5' to no well-defined edges.  Contains a brighter core that is also ill-defined but appears elongated (bar).  This face-on galaxy has an unusual mottled appearance with brighter spots with averted vision (extremely faint superimposed stars?).  A couple of faint stars are clearly superimposed which also confuse the view including a mag 14.5 star off the north edge and a mag 15 star (double on DSS) is within the south side of the halo.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5964 = h1929 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "vF, vL, R, very gradually brighter middle, r, diam = 9s of time.  With long attention it is seen to be composed of excessively minute stars like points rubbed out; and is in fact a globular cluster, but to see it thus requires long and perfect tranquility of the eye.  A very interesting object. (See figure 89)"  His position matches UGC 9935, a large, low surface brightness galaxy.  JH's description is unusual for a galaxy.  There are several stars superimposed and in addition I thought the galaxy appeared mottled, so this explains the description.

 

Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy on 19 Aug 1897 and reported Sw. 12-12 (later IC 4551) as "eeeF, L, R, eee dif".  His RA was about 3.5 minutes too small, a large but not unusual error in his last year of observing.  So, Harold Corwin suggests IC 4551 = NGC 5964.

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NGC 5965 = UGC 9914 = MCG +10-22-020 = CGCG 297-016 = KTG 63B = FGC 1918 = PGC 55459

15 34 02.5 +56 41 08; Dra

V = 11.7;  Size 5.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 53°

 

24" (7/8/13): bright, large, thin edge-on ~7:1 SW-NE, 4.0'x0.6', well concentrated with a very bright core.  Sharper light cut-off on the following side due to dust.  2MASX J15335352+5641268 was picked up just 1.3' W of center as a very faint, extremely small glow, ~12"x9".

 

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.5, small bright core.  Located 5.0' WSW of a mag 10 star.  Largest and brightest of four in a group with NGC 5963 8' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5965 = H. II-762 = h1931 on 5 May 1788 (sweep 842).  He recorded "pretty faint, pretty large, elongated."  During the sweep he observed with a "double eye glass", essentially a binocular front-view (no secondary). John Herschel called it "faint; large; round; 40" diameter." The NGC position (from d'Arrest?) is accurate.

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NGC 5966 = UGC 9923 = MCG +07-32-032 = CGCG 222-028 = PGC 55552

15 35 52.1 +39 46 08; Boo

V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

 

24" (6/13/15): moderately bright to fairly bright, oval 4:3 E-W, 1.0'x0.7', broad concentration with a round bright middle.  Striking location 3.9' SSW of mag 7.5 HD 139323 and 3' SW of mag 6.8 HD 139341.  This latter is also the close binary pair STT 298 = 7.2/8.4 at 1.1".  The pair was cleanly split at 375x into two sharp discs.

 

IC 4563 lies 4.4' NE, just 1' E of the mag 7.5 star.  It appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, slightly brighter core.  IC 4560 lies 2.7' N, just 2' NW of the close pair.  It appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~9"x6", low surface brightness.

 

17.5" (7/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms the southwest vertex of a right isosceles triangle with mag 6.8 SAO 64800 2.6' NE and mag 7.9 SAO 64799 3.7' NNE.  IC 4563 4.4' NE was not picked up.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5966 = H. III-634 = h1930 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and logged "vF, vS, 300 confirmed it, south-preceding 2 vB stars."  His RA was 45 seconds too large, but his note about the stars clinch the identification.  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 5967 = ESO 042-010 = AM 1542-753 = PGC 56078

15 48 15.1 -75 40 23; Aps

V = 12.0;  Size 2.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 90°

 

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~1.7'x1.2'.  Broad concentration with a large, slightly brighter core.  The halo (arms) appears slightly irregular or mottled.  Located 34' NE of a mag 6 star.

 

NGC 5967A lies 8' SW in the same field.  At 260x, it appeared fairly faint, moderately large but diffuse, with an ill-defined edge and weak concentration.  Situated within a N-S string of stars including a mag 12.5 star at the SW edge.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5967 = h3608 on 7 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 2'."  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5968 = ESO 450-005 = MCG -05-37-001 = PGC 55738

15 39 57.1 -30 33 09; Lup

V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6

 

17.5": moderately bright and large, round.  The 1.5' halo is weakly concentrated and contains a nearly stellar core.  A group of stars cradle the galaxy around the north side.  A unequal pair of mag 11/13.5 stars lies 4' SE.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5968 = h3609 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; r; 90"."  His single position is accurate.

 

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt in 1919-20 with the Reynolds reflector, described as  "F, 2' x 2'; spiral with a sharp almost stellar N, in a very rich field."

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NGC 5969 = MCG +09-25-059 = CGCG 297-018 = PGC 55491

15 34 50.9 +56 27 03; Dra

V = 14.1;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3

 

24" (7/8/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 20"x15", very small bright nucleus.  NGC 5971 lies 6.4' ENE.  Also in a low power field are bright galaxies NGC 5963 and NGC 5965.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): very faint, very small, round, 0.3' diameter, very small slightly brighter core, small very faint halo.  Located 9' NE of mag 8.2 SAO 29575.  In a group with NGC 5971 6' ENE, NGC 5963 14' NW and NGC 5965 16' NNW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5969 = Sw. 2-37, along with NGC 5971, on 5 Aug 1885 and logged "eS; R; stellar."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5970 = UGC 9943 = MCG +02-40-006 = CGCG 078-034 = LGG 401-003 = PGC 55665

15 38 30.1 +12 11 12; Ser

V = 11.5;  Size 2.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 88°

 

24" (6/22/17): at 375x; bright, large, oval 2:1 E-W, at least 2'x1', perhaps 2.4'x1.2' with averted.  Sharply concentrated with a prominent elongated core that gradually brightens to a central pip.  Spiral structure was strongly suggested in the halo, particularly on the east side, where a slightly brighter section appeared to hook to the north.  Mag 7.4 HD 139609 lies 5.3' NE.

 

IC 1131, 8' SE, appeared  fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, broad concentration.  A small trio of 14th magnitude stars is close west, with the galaxy nearly forming a parallelogram

 

13.1" (6/4/83): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, broad concentration to core.  Located 5.3' SW of mag 7.5 SAO 101663.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5970 = H. II-76 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 175).  His description reads, "pB, R, brightest in the middle and gradually fainter from the center; not cometic; a considerable star is in the field with it."  His position was off by 26 seconds of RA too far east and 2' too far south.

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NGC 5971 = UGC 9929 = MCG +09-26-002 = CGCG 297-019 = KTG 63C = PGC 55529

15 35 36.9 +56 27 42; Dra

V = 13.8;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 136°

 

24" (7/8/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~40"x16", contains a brighter core. NGC 5969 lies 6.4' WSW.  Last in the KTG 63 triplet with NGC 5963 19' WNW and NGC 5965 19' NW.

 

17.5" (5/22/93): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE.  A mag 15.5 star is 30" S.  Last of four in the NGC 5965 group with NGC 5969 6' WSW.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5971 = Sw. 2-38, along with NGC 5969, on 5 Aug 1885 and logged "eeF; vS; R; little brighter in the middle. In field with GC 4114-15 [= NGC 5963/5965]."  His position is accurate.

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NGC 5972 = UGC 9946 = MCG +03-40-016 = CGCG 107-018 = PGC 55684

15 38 54.1 +17 01 34; Ser

V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

 

24" (7/28/19): at 322x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 N-S, 30"x20".  Contains a round, small bright core that increases gradually to the center.  The halo has a low surface brightness and shows best with averted vision.  A mag 12.2 star is 1.4' NW and a mag 13.3' star is 1' ESE.  IC 1130 lies 21' NW and NGC 5977 is 25' ENE.

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration.  Based on DSS image, I viewed the brighter core and missed very faint extensions N-S.  Sandwiched between a mag 12 star 1.4' NW and a mag 13 star 1.0' SE.  Also collinear is a mag 14 star 2.6' NE.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5972 = St. 11-37 on 2 Jun 1869. His rough unpublished position was 4' too far NNE.  On 29 Jun 1880 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "faint, pretty small, irregularly round."

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NGC 5973 = PGC 55757

15 40 15.6 -08 36 06; Lib

V = 15.3;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.3'.  Weak concentration to an irregular brighter center.  The DSS image shows an edge-on with a star superimposed close to the center.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5973 = m 291 on 26 May 1864 and noted "F, vS, iR."  His position, which he verified, matches PGC 55757.

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NGC 5974 = UGC 9952 = MCG +05-37-010 = CGCG 166-025 = PGC 55694

15 39 02.4 +31 45 34; CrB

V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 110°

 

17.5" (7/15/93): faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.5'x0.25', even surface brightness.  Located 5' NW of mag 8.4 SAO 64828.  A mag 9.5 star is 6' SSE and mag 7.6 SAO 64824 12' SSW.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5974 = h1932 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "vF; S; R; bM; 12"."  His single position is accurate.

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NGC 5975 = UGC 9963 = MCG +04-37-019 = CGCG 136-046 = Holm 718a = LGG 403-004 = PGC 55739

15 39 58.0 +21 28 13; Ser

V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 171°

 

24" (7/21/12): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated N-S, ~40"x16", slightly brighter along the major axis but no well defined core.  Located on the south side of AGC 2107 (in the foreground) and 8' NW of mag 8.4 HD 139952.  CGCG 136-050, located 3.7' NE, appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", broad weak concentration.  A mag 11 star is 1.3' SSE.

 

17.5" (4/7/89): faint, small, very elongated N-S, poorly concentrated.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5975 = St. 12-75 on 1 Jun 1877.  His micrometric position (measured 5 years later on 19 Jun 1882) matches UGC 9963.  His description mentions several very faint stars are involved, but he was mistaken.

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NGC 5976 = MCG +10-22-025 = CGCG 297-022 = PGC 55609

15 36 47.9 +59 23 51; Dra

V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

 

24" (7/6/13): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE, ~28"x12", low even surface brightness.  Located 8' W of NGC 5981 and 5' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

 

17.5" (6/14/96): extremely faint, very small, roundish (elongated NW-SE on the POSS).  On a line with two mag 10/12 stars to the NW by 5' and 7'.  Located 8.2' W of NGC 5981, which is first of three in a striking linear trio with NGC 5982 and NGC 5985.  NGC 5976A lies 11.6' NW (not looked for).

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5976, along with NGC 5981, on 6 May 1850.  He called it "eeF, S" and measured an accurate offset from NGC 5981, although this galaxy was only noticed on this single observation out of 7 at Birr Castle.

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NGC 5977 = UGC 9967 = MCG +03-40-023 = CGCG 107-023 = PGC 55769

15 40 33.4 +17 07 40; Ser

V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

 

17.5" (7/7/94): very faint, very small, round, very weak concentration, 20" diameter. Located 3.5' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5977 = St. 11-38 on 23 May 1871 and measured an initial position 2' to the SE.  His published micrometric position was made 9 years later on 29 Jun 1880 with description "eeF, S, R, slightly brighter middle."

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NGC 5978 = MCG -02-40-002 = PGC 55838

15 42 27.2 -13 14 04; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

 

17.5" (5/27/00): extremely faint, very small, round.  Appears as  a 30" diameter low surface brightness glow between two mag 14-15 stars 1' S and 2' NNE.  Located 15' SW of a mag 6.7 SAO 159458.

 

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5978 = LM 1-229 on 10 Jun 1885 and recorded "eF, vS, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, in a group of stars."  His rough position, as well as the description, is a good match with MCG -02-40-002 = PGC 55838.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position with the 20-inch refractor in Denver in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 5979 = PK 322-5.1 = ESO 136-3 = PN G322.5-05.2

15 47 41.0 -61 13 04; TrA

V = 11.8;  Size 8"

 

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter, NGC 5979 appeared moderately bright, small, round.  The disc was ~15" diameter and fairly evenly lit.  It appeared larger than the catalogued size of 8".  At 228x (unfiltered), the surface brightness was slightly irregular with possibly a very faint halo or the halo dims at the periphery.  Set in a rich star field with a mag 10 star 2.7' S.  A distinctive trail of mag 12-13 stars meanders off to the east.  Located in the northwest corner of Triangulum Australe, about a degree from the Norma border.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5979 = h3610 on 24 Apr 1835 and recorded "planetary nebula.  Not B; pF; S; R; with something like a protuberance, which may arise from an accidental star, on or close to the edge.  Not quite sharp; a little furred; light not quite uniform; an odd sort of mottling like a resolvable light; taken at first for a vF double star out of focus; 12" diameter; but seen with 240; 320 is too high a power for it.  See figure 7, plate VI."  On 16 Jun 1835, he recorded "planetary; transit just missed; R; 5" diam; about equal in light to a * 9m; of a feeble intensity of light; nearly equable; under 320 it is not nebulous; but indistinct at the edges; a very singular kind of appearance - not "mottled", not "curdled", but yet not planetary.  In a field with about 100 or 150 stars.  His position is accurate, but due to a reduction error the NGC position is 1.0 minute too far west (corrected in the IC 2 Notes section).

 

Williamina Fleming classified NGC 5979 as a planetary nebula in 1907 based on its spectrum (Harvard Circular 143).  She probably assumed it was new due to Herschel's poor position.

 

Joseph Turner sketched the planetary as annular and brighter or a thicker rim on the north side using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate VII, figure 72).

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NGC 5980 = UGC 9974 = MCG +03-40-026 = CGCG 107-025 = Holm 720a = PGC 55800

15 41 30.5 +15 47 15; Ser

V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 13°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.5'x0.7', large broadly brighter core, overall fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1' E and a mag 12 star lies 2.9' SE.  Located 16' SSE of 19 Serpentis (V = 6.0).  Forms a pair with IC 1133 13.6' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5980 = H. II-655 = h1933 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "F, E in the meridian [N-S], about 1 1/2' long.."  John Herschel simply noted "vF, R".

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NGC 5981 = UGC 9948 = MCG +10-22-027 = CGCG 297-023 = Holm 719c = PGC 55647

15 37 53.4 +59 23 30; Dra

V = 13.0;  Size 2.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

 

24" (5/29/14): moderately bright, fairly large, thin well-defined edge-on, at least 5:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.35'.  Contains a brighter elongated core that bulges very slightly and the tips taper down.  First of three in the striking Draco trio with NGC 5982 6.3' ESE. Also NGC 5978 lies 8' W.

 

18" (6/17/06): fairly faint, fairly large thin edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.3'.  Broad weak concentration though no well-defined core.  First of a striking trio with NGC 5982 and NGC 5985 arranged in a 15' WNW-ESE line.

 

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, pretty, thin edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, brighter core.  This edge-on galaxy is the first of three with elliptical NGC 5982 6.4' ESE and spiral NGC 5985 13.8' ESE in the same field!

 

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, moderately large, narrow streak.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5981, along with NGC 5976, on 6 May 1850.  He called it a "very faint ray."

 

William Herschel made the first observation on 25 May 1788 (sweep 843).  In his description of H. II-764 (later NGC 5982), he noted "A very faint [nebula] suspected preceding, little elongated."  Due to his uncertainty, though, he didn't assign it an internal discovery number and it wasn't catalogued. The observation was made using a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view.

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NGC 5982 = UGC 9961 = MCG +10-22-029 = CGCG 297-024 = Holm 719a = KTG 64B = LGG 402-001 = PGC 55674

15 38 39.8 +59 21 21; Dra

V = 11.1;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 110°

 

24" (5/29/14): bright, moderately large, elongated 5:4 WNW-ESE, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness intense core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  The halo extends up to 1.6'x1.3'.  Second in the Draco triplet with edge-on NGC 5981 6.3' WNW and spiral NGC 5985 7.5' ESE.

 

18" (6/17/06): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core increasing to a stellar nucleus. The halo is much fainter and increases in size to ~1.5'x1.2'.  This elliptical is the second of an excellent trio in a 14' string with NGC 5981 (edge-on spiral) and NGC 5985 (face-on spiral).

 

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, fairly small, bright round core, stellar nucleus, fainter halo elongated 3:2 ~E-W.  Second of a striking trio with NGC 5981 6.4' WNW and NGC 5985 7.5' ESE.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, small, small bright nucleus, slightly elongated E-W.  In a trio with NGC 5981 and NGC 5985.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5982 = H. II-764 = h1934 on 25 May 1788 (sweep 843).  He noted "pretty bright, small, irregular. A vF [nebula] suspected preceding, little elongated."  The "suspected nebula" is NGC 5981!

 

John Herschel described NGC 5982 as "bright; round; pretty small bright middle; resolvable; 25" diameter."  His position is midway between NGC 5982 and 5985 and only a single object was logged, so perhaps the observation was rushed or interrupted.  On 6 May 1850, Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney logged "bright, condensed oval neb."

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NGC 5983 = UGC 9983 = MCG +01-40-012 = CGCG 050-079 = PGC 55845

15 42 45.6 +08 14 28; Ser

V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4

 

17.5" (6/4/94): faint, small, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus, diffuse halo that fades into background without a distinct edge.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' WNW.  A group of bright stars follows within 8' including three mag 9.5-10.5 stars and three mag 11.5-12 stars; the nearest two are a mag 10.5 star 2.9' NE and a mag 11.5 star 3.2' SE.  In addition, mag 8.6 SAO 121148 is 12.7' SSE at edge of field.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5983 = m 292 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, eS, R, very little brighter middle." His position is accurate.

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NGC 5984 = UGC 9987 = MCG +02-40-011 = CGCG 078-052 = PGC 55853

15 42 53.2 +14 13 54; Ser

V = 12.5;  Size 2.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 144°

 

17.5" (6/4/94): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.6', broad concentration with no distinct nucleus.  A thin isosceles triangle consisting of three mag 12.5/13 stars is 2' N.

 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, edge-on NW-SE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5984 = H. II-656 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and logged "pB, bM, E from np to sf, about 1 1/2' long."  John Herschel didn't observe this galaxy, though Édouard Stephan made two observations in June 1877.

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NGC 5985 = UGC 9969 = MCG +10-22-030 = CGCG 297-025 = Holm 719b = KTG 64C = LGG 402-004 = PGC 55725

15 39 37.1 +59 19 55; Dra

V = 11.1;  Size 5.5'x3.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 13°

 

24" (7/6/13): bright, very large, oval 2:1 ~N-S, ~4'x2', broad concentration with a bright 40"x30" core.  Spiral structure is evident in the uneven halo, with at least two long sweeping arms giving the impression of a stretched "S" and slightly darker gaps between the arms.

 

18" (6/17/06): fairly bright, large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, the halo extends to ~4'x2.5'.  Broadly concentrated to a brighter 40" core that increases slightly to the center.  The halo is mottled and patchy giving a strong impression of spiral structure.  This face-on spiral is the largest and brightest overall of an excellent trio with NGC 5981 (edge-on spiral) and NGC 5982 (elliptical) arranged in a 14' line oriented WNW to ESE.

 

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, large, small bright core, mottled oval disc ~N-S.  There is possibly a sharper light cut-off along the western side.  Third and brightest of three with NGC 5982 7.5' WNW and NGC 5981 13.8' WNW.

 

13.1" (5/14/83): moderately bright, moderately large, diffuse halo N-S.  Brightest of trio.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5985 = H. II-766, along with NGC 5982, on 25 May 1788 (sweep 843).  He noted "pretty bright, considerably large, irregular figure, resolved."  It was discovered using a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view.

 

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney recorded "Suspect A to be a spiral, to be re-examined on a fine night." (6 May 1850).  A week later (14 May) he wrote "Examined A; new spiral?  Dark space round or on either side of Nucl seen at moments, also a dark line running along the south-following edge, splitting off a part of the neb, which had a bright knot to south, also some ill defined dark space at N end."

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NGC 5986 = ESO 329-18

15 46 03.4 -37 47 10; Lup

V = 7.5;  Size 9.8';  Surf Br = 0.9

 

22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 273x this bright, fairly well concentrated globular was well resolved into ~60 mag 13-15 star over the entire face of the cluster, including the core.  A loop of stars heads from the north side and bends to the east ending in a nice pair of stars.  A brighter string of stars runs along the north side of the halo.  The background surface is quite mottled and the cluster would probably resolve further in better seeing.

 

17.5" (6/3/00): this fairly bright globular has a 4' halo surrounding a bright 2' core.  At 500x, about 30 stars were resolved including a fairly prominent string along the north side (running ~E-W) and many faint stars in the halo and at the edge of the core.  A brighter mag 12.5 star is off the following end.

 

13" (7/5/83): bright, moderately large, very mottled.  About five stars are resolved on the north side including the two brightest mag 13-13.5 stars at the NE edge.

 

13.1" (6/19/82): only a few stars are resolved primarily in the NE region.  One brighter star is detached off the east side.

 

8" (6/5/81): fairly bright, moderately large, very grainy. A few stars are visible at the NE edge.  Includes one bright straggler.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5986 = D 552 = h3611 on 10 May 1826.  Based on 3 observations he described it as "a beautiful round pretty bright nebula, about 2' diameter, pretty well defined."  John Herschel made 2 observations and first recorded on 28 Jun 1834 "globular, fine object, pretty gradually brighter middle, diam 15', composed to distinct stars 13..15th mag, one star 10th mag is eccentric, and 3 of 13th mag in centre nearly."  Christian Peters independently found the cluster around 1849 and reported it as new in 1856 (AJ 2).

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NGC 5987 = UGC 9971 = MCG +10-22-032 = CGCG 297-026 = LGG 402-003 = PGC 55740

15 39 57.2 +58 04 47; Dra

V = 11.7;  Size 4.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 60°

 

24" (6/21/17): at 375x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE.  Very strong concentration with a very bright core and occasionally stellar nucleus.  The halo was much more evident on the northern side of the core, creating an asymmetric appearance.  It was quickly apparent there was a sharp light cutoff (dust lane) just south of the core, roughly paralleling the major axis.  A low surface brightness portion of the galaxy on the south side of the lane was mostly seen on the southwest end of the galaxy.  A 10th mag star is 1.4' NW of center.

 

17.5" (6/14/96): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x0.5'.  Prominent, high surface brightness core with much fainter extensions.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.3' NW of center.  Located 11' NE of mag 6.5 HD 140117.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5987 = H. II-765 on 25 May 1788 (sweep 843) and recorded "pF, vS."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position as well as the mag 10 star that precedes by 7 sec of time and just under 1' north.  The UGC PA = 165° is incorrect and the error is repeated in the RC3 and Deep Sky Field Guide.

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NGC 5988 = UGC 9998 = MCG +02-40-012 = CGCG 078-058 = PGC 55921

15 44 33.9 +10 17 35; Ser

V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 115°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only).  Situated just 0.8' S of a mag 12.5 star and 4' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

 

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5988 = Sw. 6-86 on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeF: pS; R; F * nr north; D * sf."  His position is 11 sec of time west and 1.6' north of UGC 9998, but his description is a perfect match.

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NGC 5989 = UGC 9985 = MCG +10-22-034 = CGCG 297-028 = LGG 402-002 = PGC 55802

15 41 32.7 +59 45 17; Dra

V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7

 

24" (7/16/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 35"x30", very weak concentration, slightly mottled or irregular surface brightness.  Located 30' NNE of NGC 5985 (largest in the Draco Triplet).

 

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, fairly small, very slightly elongated, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Located 29' NNE of the NGC 5981, NGC 5982, NGC 5985 trio.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5989 = H. II-738 on 25 May 1788 (last discovery in sweep 843) and noted "very faint, very small."  It was discovered using a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view.

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NGC 5990 = UGC 10024 = MCG +01-40-014 = CGCG 050-101 = PGC 55993

15 46 16.4 +02 24 56; Ser

V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 115°

 

17.5" (6/11/88): moderately bright, fairly small, round, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus, diffuse halo.  A faint double is 3.5' ENE consisting of two mag 14.5 stars at 21" separation.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5990 = H. II-425 = h1935 on 5 May 1785 (sweep 409) and logged "eF, vS, stellar.  240 confirmed it."  John Herschel's description from 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144) reads "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."

 

Wolfgang Steinicke notes that NGC 5990 was observed on the last night of published observations with Lord Rosse's 72" on 5 May 1878.  Dreyer logged "pB, pS, gradually brighter in the middle, * about 13m nf, dist 77", * possibly nebulous [perhaps referring to a very faint companion]."

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NGC 5991 = MCG +04-37-028 = CGCG 136-067 = PGC 55953

15 45 16.7 +24 37 50; Ser

V = 13.7;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, very small, round, gradually increases to a very small bright core.  Located 7' SSE of mag 7.5 SAO 83981, which hampers viewing somewhat.

 

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5991 = St. 10-27 on 16 May 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position (8' W of the galaxy).  He measured an accurate micrometric position on 13 Jun 1879 with description "fairly faint, small, round, strong concentration in the center."

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NGC 5992 = UGC 10003 = MCG +07-32-049 = CGCG 222-047 = Mrk 489 = PGC 55913

15 44 21.6 +41 05 09; Boo

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 130°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, bright core.  A mag 15 star is 30" off the NE edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 5993 2.5' NNE.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5992 = H. III-635 = h1936, along with NGC 5993, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718).  His description reads, "Two, that of which the place is taken [NGC 5993] very faint, very small.  In verifying it with 300x [found at 157x] I perceived another south preceding [NGC 5992] still fainter, irregular figure, very small, but rather larger than the former.  Distance about 1 1/2'."

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NGC 5993 = UGC 10007 = MCG +07-32-050 = CGCG 222-048 = PGC 55918

15 44 27.7 +41 07 14; Boo

V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 140°

 

17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo, substellar nucleus.  Slightly brighter of a pair with NGC 5992 2.5' SSW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5993 = H. III-636 = h1937, along with NGC 5992, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718).  His description reads, "Two, that of which the place is taken [NGC 5993] very faint, very small.  In verifying it with 300x I perceived another south preceding [NGC 5992] still fainter, irregular figure, very small, but rather larger than the former.  DIstance about 1 1/2'."

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NGC 5994 = Arp 72 NED1 = VV 16b = UGC 10033 NED1 = MCG +03-40-038 = Holm 721b = PGC 56020

15 46 53.2 +17 52 21; Ser

V = 15.3;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 87°

 

48" (5/15/12): at 488x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 20"x10", gradually brightens to the center.  This galaxy is the fainter member of the interacting pair Arp 72, and is situated just 1.5' from the center of NGC 5996.  A spiral arm from the NGC 5996 hooks southwest towards NGC 5994, but the pair is not connected.

 

17.5" (5/14/88): fainter member of an interacting system with NGC 5996 (Arp 72).  Very faint, extremely small.  Appears as a barely non-stellar knot just 1.5' SW of the center of NGC 5996.  A mag 14 star lies 1.3' SE.

 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5994 on 9 Mar 1851 (Sunday night).  During an observation of NGC 5996 he noted a  "small nebula preceding."  This observation was not included in LdR's 1861 publication and the discovery was not included in either the GC or GCS.  The rough NGC position is 34 seconds of RA too far west (no position was measured at Birr Castle).

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NGC 5995 = MCG -02-40-004 = PGC 56081

15 48 24.9 -13 45 28; Lib

V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 120°

 

17.5" (5/27/00): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only).  A mag 13 star is just 0.9' NW of center.  Located 15' S of mag 7.0 SAO 159506.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 5995 = h3613 on 5 Jun 1836 and logged "eF; S; R; follows a vS *; 25"."  His single position and description matches MCG -02-40-004 = PGC 56081.

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NGC 5996 = Arp 72 NED2 = VV 16a = UGC 10033 NED2 = MCG +03-40-039 = CGCG 107-036 = Mrk 691 = PGC 56023

15 46 58.8 +17 53 05; Ser

V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 20°

 

48" (5/15/12): NGC 5996 is the brighter member of an interacting pair (Arp 72) with NGC 5994.  At 488x it appeared quite bright, elongated over 2:1 SSW-NNE, though the brightest central section (bar) is elongated ~E-W.  The galaxy is well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core or bar.  It has an asymmetric appearance with a long, bright arm attached on the east side.  This arm hooks southwest towards NGC 5994 and appears slightly clumpy (a knot in the arm is 24" S of the center).  On the west end of the bar a shorter arm shoots straight north and fades quickly as it starts to hook east, with the brightest portion near the connection with the bar.

 

17.5" (5/14/88): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated ~N-S, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1.5' S.  Forms a close interacting pair (Arp 72) with NGC 5994 1.5' SW.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5996 = H. II-97 = h1938 = Sf. 25 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 183) and recorded "pF, vS, r, preceding 2 pB stars, the most south of which is the brightest.  Other stars besides in the field of view."  His position was 17 seconds of RA too large.  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.  Truman Safford found this galaxy on 1 Jun 1866 and included it in his 1887 discovery list at the Dearborn Observatory.

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NGC 5997 = CGCG 050-105 = PGC 56044

15 47 27.6 +08 19 16; Ser

V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4'

 

17.5" (5/13/88): extremely faint and small, round.  A shallow arc of three stars mag 13-14 of length 1.6' lies 4' SSW.

 

Albert Marth discovered NGC 5997 = m 293 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, eeS, stell."  His position is accurate.  The CGCG classifies this galaxy as a compact.

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NGC 5998 = ESO 450-019

15 49 30 -28 36; Sco

Size 6'

 

17.5" (6/30/00): this asterism appears as a faint, elongated group of 9 stars.  Most of these stars are arranged in an arc concave to the NE.  Appears fully resolved and too poor to be a true cluster.

 

William Herschel discovered NGC 5998 = H. VII-29 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 559) and recorded "A small cluster of very small stars, pretty rich; coming just from the light, I saw it imperfectly, about 5 or 6' long and near 4' broad, in the form of a parallelogram.  Five minutes after it was past, I returned to it, and saw it very well."

 

At his position is group of stars that Dave Riddle called a "detached scatter of nine 13th to 14th magnitude stars in a loose arrangement spanning about 3' across.  The immediate field appeared bland, making this cluster (asterism?) obvious."  ESO and RNGC both report the object as not found.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 5999 = Cr 293 = ESO 178-001

15 52 09 -56 28 24; Nor

Size 5'

 

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 229x, this is a fairly rich, moderately large cluster.  In the center is a striking elliptical ring of roughly two dozen stars.  Surrounding this annulus is a larger loop of stars forming a heart-shaped asterism.  The looping star patterns make this an interesting visual target!  The diameter is roughly 8', though there is no distinct border.

 

James Dunlop discovered NGC 5999 = D 343 = h3612 on 8 May 1826.  His summary description reads "a pretty large faint nebula, with several minute stars in it; round figure, 4' or 5' diameter, resolvable."  He reported 2 observations in his published list, though his handwritten notes show 5 observations on different dates.

 

John Herschel made a single observation on 9 Jul 1834 (sweep 469): "cluster VI class. A pretty rich large cluster, round; little compressed in the middle, 12', stars 12..14th mag, nearly fills field; middle taken."

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NGC 6000 = ESO 450-020 = MCG -05-37-003 = PGC 56145

15 49 49.3 -29 23 11; Sco

V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 154°

 

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, very elongated NNW-SSE.  A mag 13 star is 1' NW.  Located 3.4' NE of mag 9 SAO 183830.  This galaxy is the brightest of the very few in Scorpius.

 

John Herschel discovered NGC 6000 = h3614 on 8 May 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; suddenly brighter middle."  His single position (corrected by 10 sec of time in the errata page to the CGH catalogue) is accurate.

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