Hickson 38 in Leo

HICKSON	NAME	SIZE (M)	MAG (V)	SB
38a	MCG+02-24-012	0.8X0.2	15.0	12.7
38b	UGC 5044, ARP 237	1.1X0.5	14.3	na
38c	MCG+02-24-014	0.4X0.2	15.0	12.1
38d	PGC 26830	na	16.1	na

Hickson 38a appears extremely faint, small, low surface brightness, 20" diameter (the central region). At moments extremely faint extensions are visible oriented NNW-SSE increasing the diameter to about 45". Located 2.5° SW of the brighter interacting pair 39b/c (U05044). 35b appears as an unresolved pair with 39c, separation between centers only 15". 38c is the fainter eastern component. Both objects appear as a single faint glow. A mag 13 star is located 30" NW. Located 7° SSE of mag 7.9 SAO 98580. Interestingly, 38a is a more difficult object. 38d was not seen. - Steve Gottlieb