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.