02 39 12.7 +41 40 18; Per
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 114°
18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, very
elongated 3:1 or 7:2 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.2'.
With direct vision a faint stellar nucleus is visible. Occasionally I thought the nucleus was
double, but instead there appeared to be an extremely faint star at the NW
edge. Located 4.7' E of
17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, very elongated
WNW-ESE. An extremely faint mag
15.5 star is at the west end or an extremely faint companion (appears elongated
on the POSS). A mag 13.5 star is
1.4' SE. NGC 999 lies 4.7' W in
the
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1001 = St. 3-16, along with
******************************
02 38 55.7 +34 37 21; Tri
V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 140°
17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, larger brighter core, irregular surface brightness. Collinear with a mag 12.5 star 1.2' NE and a mag 13 star 2.8' NE.
Édouard Stephan found NGC 1002 = St. 12-21 on 5 Nov 1875 and
measured an approximate position 3' to the ENE. His published position (list 12, #21) was reduced on 14 Dec
1881 with description "very faint, very small, irr round, condensation
around a bright central nucleus."
He made an earlier discovery in 1871 (list 3, #11), but misidentified
his comparison star, so the position for
******************************
02 39 16.9 +40 52 20; Per
V = 11.5; Size 5.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 97°
18" (12/18/06): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated
3:1 ~E-W, 2.5'x0.9', broad concentration with a large, brighter core. The core brightens slightly to the
center but there is no distinct nucleus, although the center has a mottled
appearance with an occasional sparkle or two (possibly a faint, superimposed
star or a slightly brighter knot).
A mag 13 star is just off the NE edge of the core. Located 2' NE mag 10
17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, bright core. A mag 13 star is involved at the NE side, just 0.8' from center. Located 2' NE of a mag 10 star.
13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is on the NE edge 0.8' from center. An extremely faint knot is at the NW edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1003 = H. II-238 = H. III-198 = h240 on 6 Oct 1784 (sweep 283). He recorded III-198 as "Suspected, but the haziness will not permit to verify it." The observation was made with the telescope off the meridian, pointing towards the east, so he could observe objects in Andromeda and Perseus that normally transit close to the meridian. But due to the orientation he wasn't able to fix a position (offsets from known stars). He found the galaxy again on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged H. II-238 as "pB, much elongated nearly in the parallel [E-W], mbM, near 4' long and about 1' br." On the following night (sweep 618) he noted. "cB, mE, very gradually much brighter middle, near 4' l." John Herschel combined the two H-designations in the GC, so there is only a single NGC designation.
According to Wolfgang Steicke, Herschel accidentally found NGC 1003 in November 1805, while observing M34 with his X-foot telescope (24" f/5). He noted "the brightest part of it is very small. It has a resolvable nucleus with very faint extensive braches. With 0.75" glass the braches extend beyond the field of view."
Fritz Zwicky discovered the type-Ia SN 1937D, in his early search using the 18-inch Schmidt telescope at Paloomar.
******************************
02 37 41.8 +01 58 31; Cet
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115°
18" (11/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 12 star is attached at the west edge of the halo. Observation through thin clouds.
18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, round, bright
nearly stellar nucleus. A mag 12
star is barely off the WSW edge.
Located 13' SW of
17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, round, 0.5'
diameter. A mag 12 star is just
off the WSW edge 25" from the center. Forms a pair with
17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 12 star is just 25" WSW of the center. Member of the NGC 1016 cluster with NGC 1008 8' NNE and NGC 1016 13' NE.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1004 = St. 11-3 = Sw. 3-14,
along with
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02 39 27.7 +41 29 36; Per
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, increases to a samll bright core. Located on the SE side of the NGC 995-1005 group, 3' E of a 40" pair of mag 11.5-12 stars.
17.5" (11/1/86): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core. Located in the NGC 995-1005 group.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1005 = St. 3-17 on 9 Dec 1871 (or earlier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory. Yann Pothier lists a possible discovery date as 10 Nov 1871. Sixth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.
******************************
02 37 34.9 -11 01 31; Cet
Size 0.9'x0.9'
See observing notes for
Lewis Swift found NGC 1006 = Sw. 5-30 on 29 Sep 1886 with a 16" refractor. His position was 10 sec of RA west of NGC 1010, discovered 10 years earlier by Édouard Stephan. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Tempel's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) listing nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. Nevertheless, Dreyer assigned Sw. 5-30 to NGC 1006, resulting in two NGC designations.
******************************
02 37 52.2 +02 09 21; Cet
V = 15.1; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 49°
18" (11/18/06): very faint, extremely small, round, 12" diameter. Located 7.2' WNW of NGC 1016 and 2.7' S of a mag 9.5 star. This is the faintest NGC galaxy in the cluster.
17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint and small,
round. A mag 9 star (
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1007 = m 66 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, stellar". Marth's position is 1' S of CGCG 388-069 = PGC 9967.
******************************
NGC 1008 = UGC 2114 = MCG +00-07-060 = CGCG 388-070 = PGC 9970
02 37 55.3 +02 04 47; Cet
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 85°
18" (11/18/06): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 6.5' WSW of NGC 1016 and 3' NW of a mag 11 star.
18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.35', weak even concentration. Located 3' NW of a mag 11 star and 7' WSW of NGC 1016 in the core of the cluster.
17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round. A mag 10 star is 2.9' SE. Located between NGC 1004 7.1' SW and NGC 1016 6.5' ENE.
17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. NGC 1007 lies 4.6' NNW. Located 7' SW of NGC 1016 in the NGC 1016 cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1008 = m 67 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, eS, stellar". His position is accurate.
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02 38 19.0 +02 18 35; Cet
V = 14.4; Size 1.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 124°
18" (11/18/06): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.2', low even surface brightness. Located 11.5' due north of NGC 1016 in a cluster.
18" (10/21/06): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.45'x0.15'. Brighter IC 241 lies 6' WNW. Located 11' due north of NGC 1016 in the cluster.
17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint, small, elongated
WNW-ESE. A mag 11 star is 2'
SE.
Edward Swift, Lewis' 15 year-old son, discovered NGC 1009 =
Sw. 3-15 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner
Observatory. The Swifts' published
positon is 15 sec of RA west of
******************************
NGC 1010 = NGC 1006 = MCG -02-07-044 = Holm 62a = PGC 9949
02 37 34.9 -11 01 31; Cet
V = 14.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.0
17.5" (10/8/94): faint, fairly small, round, no
concentration. A mag 13 star is
3.7' NW. First in and brightest of
a trio with
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1010 = St. 8b-6 (possibly along with NGC 1011), on 29 Oct 1875. His single rough position was 6' to the WNW, but his published position in 1877 is accurate. Swift rediscovered the pair on 29 Sep 1886 and reported both as new in his 5th discovery list (#30). Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stephan's nebula in an 1887 article on Swift's duplicate catalogue entries (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list). Nevertheless Dreyer assigned Sw. 5-30 to NGC 1006, so NGC 1006 = NGC 1010.
******************************
NGC 1011 = MCG -02-07-045 = Holm 62b = PGC 9955
02 37 38.9 -11 00 20; Cet
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round. Located 1.5' NE of NGC 1010. Second of three with NGC 1017 2.7' E.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1011 = St. 8b-7 = Sw. 5-31, along with NGC 1010, on 21 Nov 1876. His position is accurate. Lewis Swift independently found the pair on 29 Sep 1886. His position in his 5th list is just 10 seconds of RA too far west. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stephan's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list). Dreyer combined the two observations into NGC 1011 and credited both observers.
******************************
02 39 14.9 +30 09 05; Ari
V = 12.0; Size 2.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 24°
17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, broad concentration. Unusual appearance as a mag 13.5 star is embedded just east of the core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1012 = H. III-152 = h241 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and recorded "vF, pS, of equal light." On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he logged "F, irr figure, some stars visible, but they seem not to belong to it." On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178), John Herschel recorded "pB; irreg R; bM; 18"; resolvable. RA doubtful". R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, made a sketch on 23 Nov 1857 that was included in the 1861 publication (plate XXV, figure 4).
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02 37 50.4 -11 30 26; Cet
V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration. Located 8.8' SW of a mag 8.5 star (∑288 = 8.9/11.9 at 12"). The galaxy is collinear with an elongated group of four mag 12-13 stars oriented SW-NE starting 6' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1013 = Sw. 5-32 on 29 Sep 1886
with his 16" Clark refractor.
His position is 7 tsec west and 26" south of
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02 38 00.8 -09 34 24; Cet
V = 14.8/15.2; Size 10"
24" (2/5/13): this NGC designation applies to a close
pair of faint stars that was resolved at 282x. The two stars are both 15th magnitude (14.8/15.2) and at a
separation of 10" or less.
Located 3' SW of
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1014 = LM 2-342 in 1886 with the 26" refractor and reported "0.1' dia, irregularly round, and 1st of 2 [with NGC 1018]." With respect to NGC 1018, Muller's offset is 0.2 tmin west and 1' south. Just 1' further south is a very faint double star (separation ~11") and Corwin identifies this double as NGC 1014.
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02 38 11.5 -01 19 08; Cet
V = 12.1; Size 2.6'x2.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 10°
17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small,
slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo. Located 6.4' NW of mag 8.0
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1015 = T. 1-13 = T. 5-1 on 27
Dec 1875 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His micrometric position in list V is a
precise match with
******************************
NGC 1016 = UGC 2128 = MCG +00-07-067 = CGCG 388-076 = WBL 081-005 = PGC 9997
02 38 19.5 +02 07 09; Cet
V = 11.6; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.2
18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter. Contains a bright 20" core that increases to the center. Located 8' SE of a mag 9.6 star. Brightest and largest member of the NGC 1016 cluster (WBL 081 = USGC U137) at a distance of ~300 million l.y.
18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly large, round. The bright 30" core increases to the center. Surrounding the core is a fairly large, low surface brightness halo ~2' in diameter. This is the dominant galaxy in the cluster. A parallelogram of four mag 14 stars is just south.
17.5" (10/17/87): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, bright core. This galaxy is the brightest and largest in the NGC 1016 cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1016 = m 68 = Sf. 103 = T. 1-12
on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, S, R,
pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." His position matches
******************************
NGC 1017 = MCG -02-07-047 = Holm 62c = PGC 9964
02 37 49.8 -11 00 37; Cet
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, small, round. Last and faintest of three with NGC 1011 2.7' W and NGC 1010 3.8' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1017 = Sw. 5-33 = LM 1-61 on 29
Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded
"eeeF, vS, R, eee dif 3rd of 3 [with NGC 1010 and 1011]. His
position was 1.4' NNE of
******************************
NGC 1018 = MCG -02-07-048 = PGC 9986
02 38 10.3 -09 32 38; Cet
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 5°
24" (2/5/13): faint to fairly faint, small, oval 4:3 N-S, 20"x15", weak concentration. A group of stars lies immediately to the east. NGC 1014, a close pair of stars, is 3' SW.
17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, very small, slightly
elongated N-S, unconcentrated.
Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily. A mag 12 star is 2.2' SE. Located 22' NW of mag 6.7
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1018 = LM 2-343 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.0, 0.2'x0.1', E 180 (N-S), 2nd of 2 [with NGC 1014]." His position is 0.1 tmin west and 2'
north of
******************************
NGC 1019 = UGC 2132 = MCG +00-07-068 = CGCG 388-079 = PGC 10006
02 38 27.5 +01 54 27; Cet
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40°
18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, moderately large,
irregularly round, 1.0'x0.8', low surface brightness. Located 13' SSE of NGC 1016.
17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration. Located 13' S of NGC 1016 in cluster.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1019 = St. 11-4, along with NGC 1014, on 1 Dec 1875. An accurate micrometric position was measured (list 11, #4) 5 years later on 1 Dec 1880 with description "vF; irregular oval; very slightly brighter core with an eccentric nucleus."
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02 38 44.3 +02 13 52; Cet
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.2'; PA = 20°
18" (11/18/06): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S,
0.6'x0.35', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core surrounded by a
low surface brightness halo. Forms
a very close pair with
18" (10/21/06): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.25', very faint stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed at the center. Located 9' NE of NGC 1016 on the NE side of the cluster. Forms a pair with NGC 1021 1' SE.
17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 1021 1.2' SE in the NGC 1016 cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1020 = m 69, along with NGC 1021, on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. He noted it as "eF, vS" and recorded an accurate position. Édouard Stephan logged it on 1 Dec 1875 (noted as "Lassell 69") when he observed the galaxy group.
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NGC 1021 = CGCG 388-084 = PGC 10027
02 38 48.0 +02 13 02; Cet
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160°
18" (11/18/06): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low surface brightness with no concentration. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1020 1.2' NW.
18" (10/21/06): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.35', low even surface brightness. Fainter member of a close pair with NGC 1020 1' NW.
17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint, very small, oval ~N-S, diffuse. Forms a close pair with NGC 1020 1.2' NW in the NGC 1016 cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1021 = m 70, along with NGC 1020, on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. He noted "eF, S" and recorded an accurate position. Édouard Stephan logged it on 1 Dec 1875 (noted as "Lassell 70") when he observed the galaxy group.
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02 38 32.6 -06 40 39; Cet
V = 11.3; Size 2.7'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (10/29/94): fairly bright, moderately large,
elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.2'.
Broadly concentrated halo contains a well-defined fairly bright 30"
core. The core increases to a
stellar nucleus. At times the
elongation appears more pronounced.
A mag 13 star lies 2.1' NE of center. Member of the
8" (10/31/81): faint, small, diffuse, broad concentration, slightly elongated.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1022 = H. I-102 = h244 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and recorded "cB, pL, mbM." On 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 456) he noted "cB, pL, R, mbM."
Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell on 28 Nov 1856: "pL, much brighter middle to a nucleus, patchy. Suspect the preceding end is separated from the rest of the neb by a darkish line. Small * or knot close NW."
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NGC 1023 = Arp 135 = UGC 2154 = MCG +06-06-073 = CGCG 523-083 = LGG 070-003 = PGC 10123
02 40 23.8 +39 03 48; Per
V = 9.4; Size 8.7'x3.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 87°
48" (10/25/11): this gorgeous galaxy appeared extremely bright, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~7'x1.8', with a large, brighter central core that increases to an intensely bright inner core punctuated by a bright stellar nucleus. The outer halo gradually fades at the ends of the extensions. Several stars are superimposed on both sides of the core.
18" (8/1/05): at 225x, this striking galaxy appeared very bright, large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~4.5'x1.0', though it seemed to extend further with averted vision. The central region has a dramatic, sharp concentration with an unusually bright, oval core. Two mag 14 and 15 stars are superimposed off the west side of the core and a mag 14 star is off the east side.
17.5" (12/7/90): bright, large, very elongated 7:2 E-W,
very bright core, almost stellar nucleus.
A large fainter halo increases the dimensions to 7'x2'. Two 15th magnitude stars are
superimposed on the east and west ends.
Brightest in the NGC 1023 group, which includes NGC 1003 and
14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; very bright and large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~5' major axis. Very strong concentration with a prominent core that increases to an intense nucleus. A mag 14 star is superposed E of the core and another is closer in W of the core [0.85' from center].
13.1" (12/22/84): very bright, impressive, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.
8" (11/8/80): fairly bright, bulging bright core, lens-shaped.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1023 = H. I-156 = h242 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618). He noted "extremely bright, much extended, a very bright nucleus, the branches losing themselves in the direction of the parallel [E-W] nearly." On 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692), he recorded "very bright, gradually much brighter middle to a very bright nucleus, much elongated nearly 10' long, from about 12° sp to nf."
John Herschel sketched the galaxy in Oct 1828 as well as Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney on 27 Dec 1850 (plate XXV, figure 5 in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication).
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02 39 11.9 +10 50 49; Ari
V = 12.1; Size 3.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 155°
48" (10/30/16): very bright, large, elongated 3:1
NNW-SSE. Sharply concentrated with
a large, very bright elongated core, and a more circular nucleus. A very large, much lower surface
brightness halo, extends nearly 3'x1'.
The halo is a bit more diffuse on the northwest side. The minor axis nearly reaches a mag 12.3
star 0.7' NNE of center. A mag
13.7 star is off the SSE end, 2.2' from center. Brightest in a group with nearby
24" (1/12/13): bright, moderately large, very elongated
3:1 NNW-SSE. Sharply concentrated
with a very bright, elongated core ~25"x15" and much fainter
extensions increasing the size to ~1.2'x0.4'. Interestingly, the elongation of the core seems is slightly
misaligned with respect to the major axis of the extensions. The extremely low surface brightness
outer arms were not seen. A mag 12
star is 0.7' NNE of center.
Brightest in a trio (
17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
2:1 NNW-SSE, rounder bright core, brighter along major axis. A mag 11 star is 42" NNE of
center. Located 13' NNE of mag 6.8
William Herschel discovered NGC 1024 = H. II-592 = h243 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 591) and logged "pB, S, E, bM". John Herschel logged on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121): "F; R; bM; 20"; has a * 11m 40° nf; 25" distant."
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02 36 20.0 -54 51 49; Hor
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 6°
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright
but fairly small, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration. A star or stellar companion is at the NW edge of the halo. Forms a pair with brighter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1025 = h2488 on 11 Sep 1836 and
recorded "eF, S, R, 15"; the preceding of two [with NGC
1031]." His position is 16
tsec of RA west of
******************************
02 39 19.2 +06 32 38; Cet
V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.8
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core and a stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.8' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1026 = m 71 on 24 Dec 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta, noting "pF, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." His position is accurate.
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02 42 35 +61 35 42; Cas
V = 6.7; Size 20'
17.5" (11/27/92): 90 stars in 15' diameter, fairly
scattered but still a striking cluster. Surrounds mag 7.0
8": includes a dozen stars mag 8 to 12.5. Fairly small, rich, over unresolved background haze.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1027 = H. VIII-66 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and described "a cluster of coarsely scattered considerably large stars, 8' or 10' diameter, one 7th mag, near the middle." On 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) he logged "a much scattered cluster of cL stars. A star 7m not far from the middle, about 15' diam."
Corwin comments that E.E. Barnard independently found the
object (probably on a plate), sent a note directly to Dreyer and it was
catalogued again as
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NGC 1028 = MCG +02-07-023 = CGCG 439-025 = KTG 9C = PGC 10068
02 39 37.2 +10 50 37; Ari
V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 15°
24" (1/12/13): at 375x appeared faint, elongated ~5:3 SSW-NNE, 25"x15", low surface brightness though seems slightly uneven or patchy like a face-on spiral. Faintest in the KTG 9 triplet with NGC 1029 3' S and NGC 1024 (brightest) 6' W. The redshift of NGC 1028 is over twice that of NGC 1024 and 1029, so it is a background galaxy.
17.5" (11/26/94): extremely faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4'. A mag 14 star is 1.4' N and a mag 12 star lies 1.7' SW. Faintest of trio and located 3.0' N of NGC 1029 and 6.1' E of NGC 1024.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1028 = m 72 (along with NGC 1029 = m 72) on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. His position is accurate.
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NGC 1029 = UGC 2149 = MCG +02-07-024 = CGCG 439-024 = KTG 9B = LGG 069-003 = PGC 10078
02 39 36.5 +10 47 36; Ari
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 70°
24" (1/12/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.3', well concentrated with a small high surface brightness core that increases to a stellar nucleus.
17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A very faint mag 15 star is superimposed at the NE edge. A mag 12 star is 2.0' NW. Forms a trio with NGC 1024 7' WNW and NGC 1028 3.0' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1029 = m 73, along with NGC 1028, on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, S, mE". Édouard Stephan made an observation on 24 Nov 1875.
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02 39 50.8 +18 01 28; Ari
V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 8°
17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated N-S, low surface brightness, weak concentration and slightly brighter along major axis.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1030 = H. III-581 = h245 on
25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and reported "vF, E, irr F. The time very inaccurate." As noted, his RA was poor, but John's
Herschel's position, measured on 11 Jan 1831 (sweep 319) matches
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NGC 1031 = ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907
02 36 38.7 -54 51 35; Hor
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 23°
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star lies 3.3' NNE. Forms a pair with fainter NGC 1025 2.7' W. Located 15' W of h3520 = 7.6/8.8 at 21" and 40' SW of mag 5.2 Zeta Hor.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1031 = h2490 on 11 Sep 1836 and
recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 20"; the
following of two [with NGC 1025]".
His position is close west of
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02 39 23.6 +01 05 37; Cet
V = 11.6; Size 3.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 68°
48" (10/26/11): at 385x and 488x appears very bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x0.8'. Well concentrated with a prominent, bulging oval core that brightens towards the center and long, thin, fainter tapering extensions that dim at the tips. A mag 13 star is at the tip of the ENE extension. The visual treat, though, is a razor thin dust lane that clearly bisects the large central buge. As the much fainter extensions start to taper down, the dust lane loses contrast and disappears towards the ends.
18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.8'x0.9'. Well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. The galaxy extends to a mag 12.5 star at the ENE edge making the total length nearly 2.8'. The thin dust lane seen on images was not visible.
17.5" (10/29/94): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.6'. Dominated by a bright core which is broadly concentrated and contains a faint stellar nucleus. The extensions are smooth and unconcentrated. A mag 12.5-13 star is at the ENE edge 1.4' from the center and two mag 13 stars are along the north side (1.8' NE and 1.3' NNW of center) forming a right triangle.
8" (1/1/84): faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Four mag 13 stars to north including one 1.8' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1032 = H. II-5 = h246 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 47) and noted "very faint, small, like a small comet, 3/4° above Delta Ceti." His sketch confirms the identification. On 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470), he called it "the nebula in the quartile. It is not quite R, but lE having vF rays sp and nf." NGC 1032 was first object Herschel discovered with the telescope moving vertically only and using reference stars as they passed through the eyepiece. It was just just his 10th deep sky discovery once his sweeps started and was logged during his sweeps at least a half dozen times. Lord Rosse's 1861 publication mentions "Spirality suspected".
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02 40 16.1 -08 46 37; Cet
V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0°
17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.6'
diameter, very low even surface brightness, no details. Located 7.1' NE of mag 8.5
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1033 = LM 2-344 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but
1.2 minutes of RA east is
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02 38 13.9 -15 48 35; Cet
V = 11.5; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 11.2; PA = 135°
17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.5', weak concentration. A wide pair of evenly matched mag 12-13 stars lie 5' W (58" separation in PA 316°).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1034 = LM 1-62 on 12 Nov
1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but
1.0 tmin of RA west is
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02 39 29.1 -08 07 58; Cet
V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 150°
48" (10/29/19): at 610x, bright, large, very elongated
3:1 NNW-SSE, 2'x0.6', slightly brighter core. Unusual appearance as the eastern half of the galaxy is
significantly affected by dust, so it appeared noticeably darker than the
western half. Furthermore, the
eastern half was mottled, with an irregular surface brightness and several
slightly brighter knots or patches.
A bright mag 14 star is just inside the SSE tip. A mag 10.9 star is 5' N and a mag 9.2
star (
14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; relatively bright, fairly large, very elongated nearly 4:1 NNW-SSE, ~2'x0.5', very weak concentration with no distinct core or nucleus. The surface brightness, though, was slightly uneven or irregular. A mag 14 star is at the SSE end.
13.1" (9/3/86): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE (PA 150°), fairly small. A mag 14 star is attached at the SE end. Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071), which lies 25' ESE.
13.1" (9/9/83): at 166x; fairly faint, very elongated (nearly edge-on) NW-SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1035 = H. II-284 = h249 = h2489 on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 355) and recorded "F, mE, about 3' long and 3/4' broad, resolvable." John Herschel observed this galaxy from both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope. His latter observation, made on 9 Dec 1835 (sweep 650) reads "vF, pmE, has a vF star at the S.f. extremity".
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02 40 29.1 +19 17 50; Ari
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 5°
17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, large brighter core, very small bright nucleus is possibly stellar.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1036 = H. III-475 = h247 on
29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and logged "vF, S, confirmed with 240
power." His position is
within 1' of
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02 40 00 -01 44; Cet
= Not found, Gottlieb and Corwin. The RNGC identification of
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1037 = Sw. 5-35 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and wrote "eeeF; vS; vE; eee dif; [NGC 1032] in field". There is nothing near his position and furthermore NGC 1032 is ~3° away from his coordinates. But no reasonably bright galaxy is in the field of NGC 1032 either. Perhaps he misidentified NGC 1032? RNGC, PGC, and RC3 misidentify UGC 2119 = PGC 9973 as NGC 1032. This galaxy is 2 tmin of RA west and 7' S of Swift's position and still doesn't agree with Swift's comment about NGC 1032. See my RNGC Corrections #2 and Corwin's identification comments.
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02 40 06.3 +01 30 32; Cet
V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 61°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, very
elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.4', bright core is moderately concentrated. Forms a pair with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1038 = Sw. 3-16 = Sw. 5-34 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at the Warner Observatory and "discovered" it again on 2 Oct 1886, recording it in his 5th discovery list. Dreyer combined both entries in the NGC. Swift's position is accurate.
William Herschel made the first observation on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 505) but he was uncertain: "Suspected, may be 2 small close stars in the parallel." He never confirmed the observation and it was not catalogued but the position (Caroline's reduction) is less that 1' NW of NGC 1038, so identification is certain.
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02 42 00 +42 47; Per
V = 5.2; Size 35'
24" (12/28/13): gorgeous low power field with 21mm
Ethos (125x; 49' diameter). The
cluster roughly extends 35' with a much richer and brighter core of ~12'-15'
that contains a large number of mag 8-10 stars. Several of the brighter stars appear as wide doubles or in
chains. A long string of stars is
on the south side of the core, extending towards the southeast. Other chains extend north and east out
of the core. Several doubles were
identified using the chart in Stoyan's "Atlas of the Messier
Objects". O∑ 44 is a
challenging mag 8.5/9.0 pair at 1.4" that just resolved at 225x and better
at 300x. Another 8th mag star (C
component) is widely separated at 86". h2154 is a 9.5/10.9 pair at 10" on the SW side and
h1123 is a very wide 20" pair of mag 8.4 star. Also in the core is ES 1506, a challenging mag 8.9/14 pair
at 7" and h2155, a very wide 8.3/10.3 pair at 17" on the NE
side. PN
13.1" (12/22/84): about 100 stars in a 30' diameter. Very bright, very large, many double stars, three main curved lanes. Includes a bright double star h1123 = 8.0/8.0 at 20". Naked-eye object in fairly dark sky.
Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered M34 = NGC 1039 = h248 around 1654, though there is some doubt on his intended object. Charles Messier found M34 again on 25 Aug 1764, and he is generally credited with the discovery.
William Herschel described M34 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) as "a cl of scattered large stars, considerably rich." Wolfgang Steinicke states his first observation was made on 6 Oct 1784, while observing off the meridian towards the east. Due to the telescope's orientation, he wasn't able to fix determine accurate positions on sweeps 282-285. John Herschel called it a "fine cluster, about 20 st 9 10...11m and as many less. Fills field, coarsely scattered."
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02 43 12.4 +41 30 03; Per
See observing notes for
Édouard Stephan found NGC 1040 = St. 3-18 on 9 Dec 1871 (date the position was reduced) with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but precisely 1.0 minute of RA west is NGC 1053 = UGC 2187, which was found by Swift on 21 Oct 1886 and accurately placed in his 5th discovery list (#37). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, and Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Corrections paper, equate NGC 1040 = NGC 1053. Based on the earlier discovery, NGC 1040 should be the primary designation. See Corwin's notes.
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02 40 25.2 -05 26 26; Cet
V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 15°
17.5" (10/29/94): faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter. Symmetrical appearance with an even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. A distinctive line (4.5' length) consisting of three equally spaced mag 11 stars oriented WNW-ESE is 3' S.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1041 = St. 12-22 on 4 Nov 1875 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His published micrometric position (list 12, #22) was made on 17 Nov 1881 with description "pF, pS, irregularly round, bM."
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02 40 23.9 -08 26 01; Cet
V = 11.0; Size 4.7'x3.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 15°
48" (10/26/16): at 488x; bright, very large, face-on spiral with a small bright core and a relatively small weak bar oriented ~NW-SE. Low contrast spiral structure was visible around the core. Most prominent, though, was an outer spiral arm along the east side, which swept N-S in a gentle arc. It was brightest just to the west of a mag 13.6 star [SDSS reveals numerous HII knots] situated 1.6' SE of the core. The outer spiral arm along the western edge was more diffuse and ill-defined, passing just east of a 16th magnitude star 1.7' WSW of the core.
17.5" (11/1/86): very large, very diffuse low surface
brightness system best viewed at 83x or 133x. Almost round, slightly brighter on the SE end with either a
very faint star(s) superimposed or a brighter knot. Forms a pair with
14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; large, diffuse galaxy, roundish, ~3' diameter, slightly irregular surface brightness to halo, no distinct core. A mag 13.6 star is just off the E side of halo, 1.6' ESE of center and a mag 13.3 star is 2.6' due N. NGC 1052 is 15' SW.
13.1" (9/3/86): very large but diffuse, only a very weak concentration.
13.1" (9/9/83): 62x and 166x; large, very diffuse, no central brightening, irregularly round, best at 62x (too large and diffuse for higher power).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1042 = Sw. 3-17 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "eeF, L, R, np of 2 [with NGC 1052]". In his 5th discovery list, Swift corrected the description to read "sp of 2" [with NGC 1052]. Based on a photograph taken with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan observatory in the late 1920s, NGC 1042 was described as an "open spiral with a pF stellar Ncl, well defined [arms] with some [knots]."
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02 40 46.5 +01 20 35; Cet
V = 15.0; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110°
17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. I just glimpsed the core as a very small, round, knot with a mag 14.5 star 0.4' SSE of center. The small, thin extensions of this edge-on spiral were not seen. Located 14' SE of NGC 1038 and 20' SE of IC 1827 (on a line).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1043 = Sw. 5-36 on 2 Oct 1886
with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 4 tsec east and
36" south of
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02 41 06.1 +08 44 16; Cet
V = 13.2; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 11.8
24" (1/31/14): NGC 1044 is a double system with fainter
17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration to a large brighter core. A mag 11 star lies 2.3' NW. Brightest of a collinear compact trio
with NGC 1046 2.0' SE and
William Herschel discovered NGC 1044 = III-228 = h251, along with NGC 1046, on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 308) and noted "eF, vS, 240 power confirmed it. Another still smaller and fainter about 1' following [NGC 1046]." John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118) and wrote "vF the p[receding] of two; a * 10m, p[receding] in same line.".
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02 40 29.1 -11 16 39; Cet
V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55°
17.5" (10/29/94): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5', well concentrated to a small prominent core and a stellar nucleus. A nice evenly matched pair of mag 11-12 stars (16" separation in PA 78°) lies 11' NW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1045 = H. II-488 = h253 = h2491 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, S, iF, bM." John Herschel observed this galaxy at both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope. His Cape description from 22 Nov 1835 (sweep 648) reads "pB, R, bM, 35". Observed in a south-east cloud drift."
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NGC 1046 = MCG +01-07-024 = CGCG 414-039 = PGC 10185
02 41 12.8 +08 43 09; Cet
V = 13.8; Size 0.3'x0.3'
24" (1/31/14): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 50" SE. Fourth of 4 in a 3' string oriented NW to SE line with NGC 1044 (double) 1.8' NW and CGCG 414-36 2.9' NW.
17.5" (10/29/94): faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is off the SE edge 48" from the center. Forms the third of three on a line with double system NGC 1044 2.0' NW and MCG +01-07-022 = CGCG 414-036 2.9' NW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1046 = H. III-229 = h252, along with NGC 1044, on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 308) , recording "Another still smaller and fainter about 1' following [NGC 1044] suspected; but 240 power left it doubtful." John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118).
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02 40 32.9 -08 08 52; Cet
V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 88°
17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W, diffuse with only a very weak concentration, no distinct core. A mag 11.5 star is 3.9' S. Located 10.2' NW of NGC 1052 and 15.8' E of NGC 1035 in the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1047 = Sw. 3-18 on 10 Nov 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 6 tsec of RA east and 1' S of
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NGC 1048 = NGC 1048B = MCG -02-07-062 = PGC 10140
02 40 37.9 -08 32 00; Cet
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105°
48" (10/26/16): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 40"x16", bright core. A mag 14.4 star is 1' NNE. Located 7' SW of NGC 1042.
Forms a similar pair with
17.5" (11/26/94): at first glance, appeared as an ill-defined faint glow 1' S of a mag 14 star. One closer inspection, NGC 1048 resolved into a pair of small, faint galaxies 1.0' between centers oriented NNE-SSW. The northern member (generally identified as NGC 1048) was clearly brighter and elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.3'. Just 1.0' SSW is a fainter companion (NGC 1048A). Located 7' SSE of the large, low surface brightness system NGC 1042 within a large group.
17.5" (11/1/86): large, very diffuse system best viewed at 83x. There was a slight brightening to the south but the fainter companion was not clearly resolved in poor seeing.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1048 = Sw. 3-19 on 10 Nov 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position matches the contact pair
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02 39 49 -34 15 30; For
V = 12.6; Size 1.3'
48" (10/29/16): at 488x; very bright, moderately large, very high surface brightness, granular appearance, ~50" diameter. There are three well defined brightness zones: an extremely bright compact nucleus, a small bright core and a much lower surface brightness halo with a fairly well defined circular edge.
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, moderately large, very sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core surrounded by 1' halo that dims around the periphery.
24" (9/14/12): at 325x, moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, 30" diameter.
18" (12/10/07): moderately bright gc in the Fornax Dwarf. Appears small, round, ~30" diameter, gradually increases to a small brighter core. Located 15' NNE of mag 8.4 HD 16690. Brightest gc in the Fornax Dwarf.
17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.
13.1" (10/10/86): brightest of four globular clusters
in the Fornax Dwarf galaxy.
Moderately bright (estimate V = 12), small, very small bright core,
faint halo. Located 15' NNE of mag
8.0
John Herschel discovered NGC 1049 = h2492 on 19 Oct 1835 and reported "pretty bright; small; round; like a star 12th magnitude a very little rubbed at the edges, a curious little object and easily mistaken for a star, which, however, it certainly is not". His position is 1' N of this Fornax Dwarf globular. The galaxy itself was discovered over a century later by Harlow Shapley in 1938 while at the Boyden Station in South Africa on photographic plates taken with the 24" Bruce refractor.
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02 42 35.7 +34 45 48; Per
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110°
17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 1.0'x0.8', weak concentration. A mag 15 star is 45" N of center. This 15th mag star is described as mag 18 in the NGC.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1050 = St. 3-18 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is just off the north edge of the galaxy and he mentioned the mag 15 star off the north edge of the galaxy (called mag 18). Stephan observed the galaxy on 16 Nov 1871, probably aware of d'Arrest's discovery at the time. He measured the position again on 9 Dec 1871 and listed this galaxy as new in his third discovery list #18 (published in 1872). A later observation was made on 22 Nov 1875. Dreyer credited both d'Arrest (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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02 41 02.4 -06 56 09; Cet
V = 13.0; Size 2.3'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.5', no concentration. Very unusual appearance as a mag 12 star is attached at the northeast end 35" from the center and the galaxy appears to hang from the star. Forms the east vertex of a triangle with two mag 10 stars 6.7' NW and 5.2' WSW.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1051 = St. 11-5 on 13 Oct 1869 with a rough position 2' to the SE. His published accurate micrometric position was made on 13 Dec 1871 with description "eeF; elongated NE-SW, a little diffuse, *12 attached at NW end." The star is actually attached at the NE end.
Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 1051 in 1886 with
the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick and reported it as new in his 2nd
discovery paper (#338) but he made a 10 minute time error in RA (error caught
by Harold Corwin). Dreyer
catalogued again as
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NGC 1052 = MCG -01-07-034 = KTS 18C = LGG 071-008 = PGC 10175
02 41 04.8 -08 15 21; Cet
V = 10.5; Size 3.0'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 120°
14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 2' diameter, sharply concentrated with an unusually bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.
13.1" (9/9/83): bright, small, round, intense core. Brightest in a large group (LGG 071) with three galaxies in 62x field including NGC 1042 14' SW and NGC 1047 10.2' NW.
13.1" (9/3/86): at 166x; small oval shape, very bright core, stellar nucleus.
8" (11/8/80): faint, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1052 = H. I-63 = h254 = h2493 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355). He described it as "Bright, round, much brighter in the middle, about 1' diameter, very faint towards the border." He included the description as an example of "Nebulae that are gradually much brighter in the middle" in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 21).
John Herschel observed this galaxy twice at Slough, recording it on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), "B; S; R; 20"; gb and pretty suddenly much brighter middle to a *12".
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NGC 1053 = NGC 1040 = UGC 2187 = MCG +07-06-060 = CGCG 539-083 = PGC 10298
02 43 12.4 +41 30 03; Per
V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40°
17.5" (11/27/92): faint, very small, slightly
elongated. Bracketed by two mag 15
stars just off the north and south edges and collinear with three equally
spaced stars to the south (mag 11.5 star 2.3' S, a mag 10.5 star 4' S and a mag
13 star 6' S). Located 5' W of mag
7.5
Lewis Swift found NGC 1053 = Sw. 5-37 on 21 Oct 1886 with
the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "vF, vS, lE, 4
stars in line south point to it, one close". His position and description matches
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02 42 15.8 +18 13 03; Ari
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20°
17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 30" NW. NGC 1030 lies 30' WSW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1054 on 8 Oct 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and logged "eF, vS, verified at 230x. A star is near the northwest rim."
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02 41 45.2 +00 26 31; Cet
V = 10.6; Size 7.6'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 105°
48" (10/24/14): very bright, nearly edge-on spiral, spans ~6'x1.8' WNW -ESE. The bright central region extends 2'x0.5' and increases gradually towards the center. A relatively wide, prominent dust lane runs along nearly the entire northern flank of the galaxy!
The fainter portion of the galaxy on the north side of the
dust lane was clearly visible paralleling the central region. Due to a slight tilt in edge-on
orientation, the northern section of the galaxy is partially obscured and
extended only ~1.6' in length and at most 30" in width. The glow terminates on its west side
after reaching the mag 11.2 star just 1.2' NNW of center. Forms a wide pair (similar radial
velocity) with
18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, ~5'x1.6', broad concentration but no well-defined core or nucleus. A mag 11 star is just north of the core and two mag 13 stars are north of the western flank. A dark lane runs along the north edge of the galaxy creating a sharp light cut-off, though the faint portion of the galaxy to the north that is cut off by the dark lane was not seen.
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly bright, fairly large, very
elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, broadly concentrated halo. A mag 11 star is just off the NW flank 1.2' from the
center. Located 7' SE of mag 6.8
13.1" (9/3/83): fairly faint, elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 12 star is 1' N.
8" (11/8/80): faint, elongated. Located 30' NNW of M77.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1055 = H. I-1 = h258 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 47). Although his description doesn't appear in Caroline's transcribed Sweep Records summary, Wolfgang Steinicke states his Journal mentions a "Nebula, 3/4° north following Delta Ceti, in a line parallel to Gamma and Alpha Ceti." This is a good match with NGC 1055, although the separation is 35' from Delta. His summary description for H. I-1 (based on 7 observations as he revisited this field several times) reads "cB, cL, iF, bM."
On 30 Nov 1850, Lord Rosse (or observing assitant) noted "The north edge is the best defined [due to dust cut-off]. It is 4' long at least, and tapers off to the following end. On 27 Dec 1861, assistant Robert Ball also noted "I strongly suspect a faint parallel patch preceding, which perhaps joings the following end of nebula."
In Dreyer's 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, he suggested H. II-6 (in addition to H. I-1) was equivalent to NGC 1055, but Steinicke equates H. II-6 with a pair of stars at 02 40 19.5 +00 54 37 (2000).
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02 42 48.4 +28 34 26; Ari
V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160°
17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, increases to rounder small bright core. A mag 12 star is 2.2' ENE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1056 = H. III-584 = h256 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and recorded "vF, S, bM". On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178), John Herschel logged "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" [diameter]."
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02 43 02.9 +32 29 28; Tri
V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 115°
24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large,
oval 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8'.
Contains a brighter core that seems to extend into a very low contrast
bar. First in the
24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated
2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.35', small brighter core. The major axis points to
18" (1/26/11): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2
NW-SE, 0.7'x0.45', low even surface brightness. Located 4.7' NW of NGC 1060 in a group with NGC 1061 3'
SE.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered
NGC 1057 in December 1849. The
sketch and description ("vF double neb") clearly applies to
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02 43 29.8 +37 20 27; Per
V = 11.2; Size 3.0'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
18" (1/26/11): fairly bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 2' diameter, broad, weak concentration, very small brighter nucleus ~5" diameter, irregular surface brightness, asymmetric appearance. A star is superimposed on the NW side ~35" from the center. The halo is more extensive or brighter on the west side and very weak on the east side, so the nucleus appears offset towards the northeast side. A mag 15 star is at the south end of the galaxy. Member of the NGC 1023 Group.
17.5" (12/7/90): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness, no distinct core, possibly mottled. A mag 14 star is involved at the NW edge and a mag 15 star is involved at the south end. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.3' SSW of center.
13.1" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness. A faint star mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the NW edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1058 = H. II-633 = h255 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and logged "F, cL, R, little brighter middle, 4' diameter. In Oct 1828 (sweep 188), John Herschel recorded, "pF; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"." His RA was 9 seconds too small. This galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle. On 24 Nov 1854, R.J. Mitchell remarked "L, R. Susp Nucl or * in centre, 2 conspicuous stars inv in the preceding side." Hermann Kobold measured a fairly accurate position in 1899 at Strasbourg (published in 1907).
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02 42 35.6 +17 59 48; Ari
= **, Reinmuth and Gottlieb.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1059 = h259 on 25 Jan 1832 and
simply noted "eF, hardly sure."
There is nothing nonstellar near his position but just 1' SE is a close
pair of mag 14 stars at 10" separation. Several observers looked for Herschel's object. Heinrich d'Arrest was unable to find
anything "on a very clear night" and Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick
Observatory, II) also carefully searched unsuccessfully for the object,
although in sweeping around he discovered
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NGC 1060 = UGC 2191 = MCG +05-07-035 = CGCG 505-038 = WBL 085-002 = PGC 10302
02 43 15.1 +32 25 30; Tri
V = 11.8; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 75°
24" (9/23/17): at 260x; bright, large, nearly 2'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is at the east edge of the halo [1.0' from center]. Brightest in a group (reobserved due to a current supernova in NGC 1067).
24" (2/7/16): very bright, large, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to the center. The much fainter halo gradually dims and is slightly elongated WSW-ENE, ~1.6'x1.3'. Brightest in a group of 10 galaxies (including 5 NGCs) in a 20' field.
The two closest galaxies are NGC 1061 2.5' N and
18" (1/26/11): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3
WSW-ENE, large low surface brightness halo extends 2.0'x1.5'. Sharply concentrated with a large, very
bright core that is well concentrated to the center. Brightest in a group of 5 NGC galaxies including NGC 1061
2.5' N, NGC 1057 4.8' NW, NGC 1066 8' NE and NGC 1067 9' NE. Located 10' WNW of mag 7.4
17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo gradually brightens to small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 10' WNW of mag 7.7 SAO 55822. Brightest in a group with NGC 1061 2.5' N and NGC 1066 8' ENE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1060 = H. III-162 = h257,
along with NGC 1066, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). He described them together as "Two, both vF, pS, R,
little brighter middle." His
position was off by 15 seconds of RA too far east and 3' north. Earlier in the same sweep he
discovered the trio
John Herschel made 3 observations and mentioned a "red *7.8 43.5 seconds preceding", though the star is ESE.
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NGC 1061 = MCG +05-07-036 = CGCG 505-039 = WBL 085-003 = PGC 10303
02 43 15.8 +32 28 00; Tri
V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 25°
24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 32"x24", very weak concentration. Located 2.5' N of NGC 1060 (brightest in a group) with NGC 1057 3' NW and NGC 1060 7' E.
24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 24"x18", even surface brightness. NGC 1057 is 3.1' NW and NGC 1060 is 2.5' S.
18" (1/26/11): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x20". Located in the center of the group, 2.5' N of NGC 1060. NGC 1057 lies 3' NW.
17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Located 2.5' N of NGC 1060 in a group.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1061 in December 1849 and logged "pF, S, R". The diagram made in 1850 matches CGCG 505-039 = PGC 10303.
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02 43 24.0 +32 27 44; Tri
= *, Gottlieb and Corwin. The RNGC and RC3 identification of NGC 1062 = UGC 2201 is
incorrect, but here are my notes on
24" (2/7/16): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~30"x10". This low surface brightness edge-on was only occasionally glimpsed with effort. Situated 1.8' NW of NGC 1066 and 1.7' SW of NGC 1067 in the NGC 1060 = WBL 085 cluster.
Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 1062 on 11 Oct 1873 as observing assistant on the 72" at Birr Castle. He placed this object with respect to NGC 1061 at 116.8" in PA 97.6 deg (ESE). At this offset (1.9' ESE of NGC 1061) is an extremely faint star. RNGC and RC3 (as well as SIMBAD and other sources) misidentify UGC 2201 = PGC 10331 as NGC 1062. This galaxy is located over 6' ENE of NGC 1061. See my RNGC Corrections #2 and Corwin's notes.
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02 42 10.0 -05 34 07; Cet
V = 14.3; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 105°
17.5" (11/28/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.5', low even surface brightness. Preceded by a wide pair of mag 11/13 stars ~4' W.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1063 = St. 12-23 on 16 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His position is accurate.
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02 42 23.5 -09 21 44; Cet
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 30°
17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, fairly small, round,
30" diameter. Requires
averted vision but can hold with concentration due to a very low even surface
brightness. Forms a pair with
brighter
NGC 1064 is a face-on spiral with a small core and much fainter arms (halo) and I missed it twice from the brighter skies east of Mt Hamilton.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1064 = LM 2-345 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 0.2 tsec west of
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02 42 06.2 -15 05 30; Cet
V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7
24" (1/23/22): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly
small, round, 30" diameter.
Contains a very bright core with a stellar nucleus and a low surface
brightness halo. Forms a pair with
similar
17.5" (12/20/95): In a trio with slightly brighter IC 253
2.7' N and extremely faint
IC 253 is fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, 30" diameter. IC 254 is an extremely faint, round, barely nonstellar spot just 1.0' SSW of NGC 1065. Requires averted vision to glimpse and <10" diameter.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1065 = Sw. 5-38 on 29 Sep 1886
and reported "eeF, pS, * nr s, B* preceding, e difficult". His position is just 4 seconds of RA
west of
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NGC 1066 = UGC 2203 = MCG +05-07-042 = WBL 085-006 = PGC 10338
02 43 49.9 +32 28 30; Tri
V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.3
24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly bright, large, slightly elongated, well concentrated with a bright core and low surface brightness halo ~1.5'x1.2'. A mag 7.4 star (HD 16954) lies 7' SSE. NGC 1066 is the second brightest member of the NGC 1060 group = WBL 85, with NGC 1067 2.2' N.
24" (2/7/16): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.3'x1.0', well concentrated core increases to the center, occasional faint stellar nucleus. Second brightest and largest in the cluster (WBL 085). In a small trio with NGC 1067 2.2' N and UGC 2201 1.7' NW.
UGC 2201, which is misidentified as NGC 1062 in RNGC, RC3
and SIMBAD, is an extremely low surface brightness edge-on and was only
occasionally glimpsed, extending ~30"x10" E-W.
18" (1/26/11): moderately bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration in halo. Contains a small brighter core that increases to the center. Forms a pair with NGC 1067 2.2' due north. Located 8' NE of NGC 1060 and 7' NNW of mag 7.4 HD 16954.
17.5" (11/27/92): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.5'x1.3'. Similar size to NGC 1060 8' WSW but one magnitude fainter. Broadly concentrated halo but no well defined core. Located 7' NNW of mag 7.7 SAO 55822. Forms a pair with NGC 1067 2.2' N, also nearby is NGC 1061 7' W. Appears brighter than the CGCG mag of 14.9.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1066 = H. III-163 = h260, along with NGC 1060, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). He recorded the pair together as "Two, both vF, pS, R little brighter in the middle." This galaxy was observed 10 times at Birr Castle!
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NGC 1067 = UGC 2204 = MCG +05-07-043 = WBL 085-007 = PGC 10339
02 43 50.6 +32 30 42; Tri
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (9/23/17): at 260x; faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness, 30-35" diameter. SN 2017gjn (Type 1a), discovered 1' NNW of center on 24 August, was visible as a mag 15.5 "star".
24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, low surface brightness with a broad weak concentration [face-on Sc]. In a small trio with NGC 1066 2.2' S and UGC 2201 1.7' SW. Situated 8' NE of NGC 1060 (brightest in the cluster) and 6.7' NNW of mag 7.4 HD 16954.
18" (1/26/11): very faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~40"x35", very low surface brightness, very weak concentration. Located 2.2' N of NGC 1066 in a group of 5 NGC galaxies.
17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 1066 2.2' S in the NGC 1060 group. UGC 2201 (misidentified in the RNGC and RC3 as NGC 1062) is 1.6' SW and was not seen.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1067 = h261 on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "eF; S; the nf of two [with NGC 1066]. Change in polar distance estimated at 3'." The actual separation is 2.2'.
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02 42 40.3 -00 00 48; Cet
V = 8.9; Size 7.1'x6.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70°
48" (10/26/11): at 375x; the view through Lowrey's 48-inch was remarkable. Spiral arm structure was easily visible with two main arms in the central halo and a bright inner arm around the nucleus and core. The bright inner arm attaches at the east side of the intense core, wraps tightly clockwise around the north side of the core and heads south on the west side of the core. There were two main arms in the central halo forming an elongated "S" pattern. A long spiral arm is attached near the east side of the core and wraps clockwise outside the inner arm described above. It continues around to the west side and heads south, ending near a compact HII knot ([EKS96] 19 from Evans et al 1996 "Atlas of H II Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies"). A second long spiral arm is attached on the southwest side of the core and wraps clockwise to the east side of the core, passing inside of a 10" HII knot [EKS96] 79/80]. The arm rotates to the northern edge of the halo. Besides these main arms, several fainter sections of additional arms are tightly wrapped in the central halo. The main central region of the galaxy is encased in a very large, low surface brightness outer halo, extendng ~6'x5' WSW-ENE. NGC 1055, part of the M77 group, lies 30' NNE.
18" (10/21/06): very bright, fairly large oval, extended 4:3 SW-NE, ~3.5'x2.5'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, oval core containing a sharp, very bright stellar nucleus. There was a strong impression of mottling or spiral structure in the halo with a curving dust lane (gap between the spiral arms) embedded in the halo that swings around from the southwest side of the halo towards the north along the west side of the core. Inner arm detail was also suggested around the edge of the halo with an impression of mottling or turbulence. A mag 11 star is just off the SE side, ~1.5' from the center.
17.5" (11/14/87): very bright, moderately large, sharp concentration with an unusually bright core, almost stellar nucleus, diffuse slightly elongated halo. Appears mottled at high power and a hint of inner arm structure. A mag 11 star is 1.3' ESE of the center. This is a Seyfert 2 galaxy and brightest in a group with NGC 1055 and 1073.
14.5" (12/17/20): very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~2.4'x2.0'. Very sharp and strong concentration with a very intense core punctuated by a brilliant stellar-like nucleus. The (central) halo has a slightly irregular surface brightness. A mag 10.8 star is barely off the SE flank, 1.4' from center.
8" (11/28/81): bright, intense core, faint halo.
Pierre Méchain discovered M77 = NGC 1068 = h262 on 29 Oct 1780. After Messier was notified of the discovery, he observed it in December and called it a "cluster of small stars which contains some nebulosity."
William Herschel first observed M77 on 20 September 1783 with his 6.2" telescope and called it "an ill defined star, surrounded by nebulosity. " Through his 20-ft telescope (12" aperture) he called M77 "Very bright; an irregular extended nucleus with milky chevelure, 3 or 4' long, near 3' broad." In later observations with his large 10-foot telescope, he also noted it was "A kind of much magnified stellar cluster; it contains some bright stars in the centre." In addition, he logged M77 on 5 different sweeps in his 18.7".
Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney first observed M77 on 4 Dec 1848 and called it "a blue spiral?" M77 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" object in Rosse's 1850 PT paper. Observing assistant Bindon Stoney made a sketch on 24 Nov 1851 (the description reads "The central part is, I am nearly sure, spiral") shown on plate XXV, figure 6 in LdR's 1861 paper (also Plate 1, Figure 4 in the 1880 publication). William Lassell's 1863 sketch, made using 760x with his 48-inch from Malta, shows a tight spiral emanating from a bright stellar nucleus and wrapping a full 360°.
Isaac Roberts' photograph in 1892 revealed considerable structure in the central region with a "dense composite nucleus, bounded by a broad nebulous ring, which is studded with strong condensations.."
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02 42 59.7 -08 17 22; Cet
V = 13.7; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 145°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.4'x0.7', slightly brighter core. A mag 12 star lies 2.2' NE. Located 4.9' W of mag 8.8
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1069 = Sw. 5-39 on 29 Sep 1886
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeF; pS;
R; between two dist stars; B* nr following." Swift's position is just 6 tsec west of
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02 43 22.2 +04 58 05; Cet
V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 175°
17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S. Contains a well-defined bright, round core which is evenly concentrated to the center. A mag 11 star lies 2.4' SSW of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1070 = H. II-273 = h263 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and noted "F, S, iR." On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 95), John Herschel logged it as "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15" [diameter]." Stephan made observations on 31 Oct 1869, 24 Nov 1875 and 5 Dec 1877 at Marseilles.
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02 43 07.8 -08 46 26; Cet
V = 14.5; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 160°
17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very low surface brightness, no concentration. Requires averted vision and probably only viewed the core as this galaxy has low surface brightness arms. Nearly collinear with two mag 11/12 stars 3.3' E and 4.6' W, respectively.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1071 = LM 2-346 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "0.3'x0.1',
pE 180°, *10, p 16s; *9, f 15s".
His position is an exact match with
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02 43 31.3 +00 18 25; Cet
V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 11°
18" (1/15/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, ~0.9'x0.5'. Contains a moderately bright roundish core with much fainter extensions N-S. A mag 11 star lies 3.9' NNW and a pair of mag 11/13 stars at 14" is 4.7' SE. Located 23' NE of M77.
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, bright core. Located 23' NNE of M77.
13.1" (9/3/83): very faint, thin, very elongated SSW-NNE.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1072 = St. 12-24 on 31 Oct
1877, after observing nearby NGC 1055.
His position in his 12th discovery list (reduced on 20 Dec 1881) is
accurate. Stephane Javelle found
NGC 1072 on 24 Jan 1898 and reported it in his 3rd discovery list (#945, later
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02 43 40.3 +01 22 33; Cet
V = 11.0; Size 4.9'x4.5'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 15°
48" (10/24/14): at 488x; the central bar is very bright and well-defined, extending 1.0'x0.3' SW-NE. An easily visible spiral arm is attached at the northeast end of the bar and extends at a right angle to the northwest, passing through a mag 16 star [50" N of center]. The arm then dims but sweeps clockwise around the west side, and merges with the second arm attached at the southwest end of the bar. As a result, the galaxy appears to have a single continuous arm rotating ~270° and ending on the southeast side, ~1.2' from center! The outer part of the halo has a low surface brightness but extends at least 4' in diameter. Another mag 16 star is on the southwest side of the halo [1.4' from center].
At least three HII complexes were identified. The brightest is NGC 1073:[HK 83] 6/9, an elongated patch ~13"x8" E-W, situated at or just beyond the southeast end of the spiral arm [1.4' from center]. A small, fainter knot close west, [HK83] 19, was difficult to resolve. [HK83] 69, a faint 10" knot, is on the west side of the halo (beyond the arm) [1.4' due west of center]. Finally, [HK83] 49 is a third 10" knot of low contrast in the northwest outer halo [1.9' NNW of center]. The designations are from Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of HII Regions in 125 Galaxies".
13.1" (9/3/83): fairly faint, large, even surface brightness, round. An equilateral triangle consisting of three mag 9.5-10.5 stars with sides 5' lies SW.
8" (11/28/81): very faint, fairly large, very diffuse, round. Three mag 10 stars are close SW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1073 = H. III-455 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "vF, vL, little brighter middle, 6 or 7' diameter". He noted it was "easily resolvable" on a later sweep. The mottling he noted is due to numerous HII knots.
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02 43 36.1 -16 17 50; Cet
V = 13.7; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 167°
17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, small, elongated 3:2
~N-S, 50"x35", low surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 2.8' SSW of center. Forms a pair with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1074 = LM 1-63 on 28 Nov
1885 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor. His rough position essentially matches
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NGC 1075 = MCG -03-08-002 = PGC 10320
02 43 33.5 -16 12 05; Cet
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153°
17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter. Requires averted vision. Forms a pair with NGC 1074 5.8' S.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1075 = LM 1-64 on 28 Nov
1885 with the Leander McCormick 26" refractor. His approximate RA (nearest min of RA) is just 0.6 tmin
west, though 2' south of
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02 43 29.2 -14 45 16; Cet
V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 99°
17.5" (12/20/95): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.7', broad concentration with a large brighter
core. Located 5.4' W of mag 9.4
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1076 = Sw. 3-20 on 29 Dec 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and commented "vF; pS;
R; B* 22s east". His position
is 7 tsec of RA east of
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02 46 00.7 +40 05 24; Per
V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165°
17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE,
almost even fairly low surface brightness. Forms a double system with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1077 = Sw. 2-23 on 16 Aug 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and placed accurately. This is a double system (with PGC
10465), though the brighter southwestern component is called
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02 44 08.0 -09 27 08; Cet
V = 14.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1
17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round. Contains a 10" brighter core surrounded by a 25" halo. A mag 10 star lies 5.8' NNW. Located close to the Eridanus border.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1078 = LM 2-347 in 1886 with the
26" Leander McCormick refractor and noted a "mag 9.5 star follows 30
sec, south 2'." His position
is 0.3 tmin east of
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02 43 44.5 -29 00 11; For
V = 11.5; Size 3.5'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 87°
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly large,
elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, faint elongated halo.
Member of the
John Herschel discovered NGC 1079 = h2494 on 14 Nov 1835 and logged "B, pmE, suddenly brighter in the middle, 90" long, 40" broad". His position is accurate.
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02 45 10.0 -04 42 39; Cet
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, almost even surface brightness, well-defined halo. Several stars are near and forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 12.5/13.5 stars 2.7' SE and 2.6' NE of center. A brighter mag 11.5 star lies 3.5' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1080 = Sw. 5-40 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec east and 15" north of MCG -01-08-003 = PGC 10416.
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02 45 05.5 -15 35 17; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 27°
18" (11/26/03): at 160x appears faint, fairly small,
very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.35', low even surface brightness. Located 10' S of mag 7.6 SAO
14856.
17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2
SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.5', uniform surface brightness. Located 10' SSW of mag 8.2
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1081 = Sw. 5-41 on 21 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec of RA west of
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02 45 41.2 -08 10 50; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90°
17.5" (12/20/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6'. Fairly sharp concentration with a well-defined 20" core. A mag 12.5 star lies 2.4' N of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1082 = Sw. 5-42 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is accurate. The RNGC declination is 2' too far south.
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NGC 1083 = MCG -03-08-015 = PGC 10445
02 45 40.6 -15 21 29; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 17°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint but striking edge-on
streak 5:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.3'.
Weak concentration with no distinct core. Located almost at the midpoint of two mag 11 stars 2.5' NW
and 3.2' SE. Second of three on a
line with NGC 1081 16' SW and
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1083 = Sw. 5-43 on 29 Sep 1886
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "eeF; pS;
vE; surrounded by 5 or 6 stars; np of 2 [with NGC 1089]. His position is close to
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02 45 59.8 -07 34 42; Eri
V = 10.7; Size 3.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 35°
17.5" (10/21/95): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 2.5'x1.2', broad concentration with a large bright core. Irregular mottled appearance or dust or dark lanes on the east side. The west side has a symmetric bulging appearance but there are dark indentations or bays on the NE and SE sides of the halo (probably between the spiral arms). Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).
8" (10/31/81): bright, moderately large, elongated. Three mag 9-10 stars lie 13' N, 15' NNE and 16' NNW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1084 = H. I-64 = h264 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355). He recorded "vB, pL, lE, mbM" and measured an accurate position.
The galaxy was observed 8 times at Birr Castle, the earliest by George Johnstone Stoney on 12 Nov 1848. He called it "a curious object with dark spaces." On 16 Oct 1855, assistant R.J. Mitchell called this a "Fine oval neb, has nucl, light mottled, sometimes I thought I saw a dark bay north of Nucl, certainly the neb is brighter along n and nf side than in the part intervening between that and the nucleus". Lassell's sketch shows a very tight spiral wrapping 1 1/2 revolutions around a stellar nucleus. He noted "A very obscure faint spiral nebula of apparently this form with power 760.”
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02 46 25.3 +03 36 26; Cet
V = 12.3; Size 3.0'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 15°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', gradually increases to a small bright core. Forms the east vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 10.5/12.5 stars 4' SW and NW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1085 on 26 Sep 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the nebula was between two mag 11-12 stars - one preceding by 14.5 seconds [4' SW] and the other following by 18.5 seconds [4.6' E].
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02 47 56.4 +41 14 47; Per
V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35°
17.5" (10/24/87 and 12/23/92): faint, small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness, rich star field. A pretty double star lies 5' SE (9.3/11.3 at 8" in PA 90°). Surrounded by several mag 14-15 stars.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1086 = Sw. 2-24 on 30 Nov 1877. His rough unpublished position was 5.5' due E, consistent with the other positions taken immediately before and afterwards. He never measured an accurate position and published the discovery.
Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 1086 on 20 Aug 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; D* near". His RA in his second discovery list (#24) is 13 seconds too large, but there are no other nearby candidates and a nearby double star is 4.8' SE.
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02 46 25.1 -00 29 55; Cet
V = 10.9; Size 3.7'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5°
18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1.7'
diameter. Broad concentration with
an ill defined core which appears to be offset towards the west side. The halo gradually fades into the background.
17.5" (11/14/87): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2
N-S, gradually brighter halo, small bright core. Two mag 11 stars 2.9' NE and 3.8' ESE of center are part of
a string of brighter stars oriented NW-SE.
13.1" (9/3/83): fairly bright, moderately large, weak concentration, elongated N-S.
8" (12/6/80): faint, fairly small, diffuse. Located near a string of mag 10 stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1087 = H. II-466 = h265 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and noted "pB, cL, R, mbM." A month later on 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470) he logged "pB, pL, irr R."
Based on photos taken at the Helwan Observatoiry in 1919-20, the galaxy was described as "B, 3' x 1.5', E 10° ±, spiral with fairly sharp BN and about 20 bright, almost stellar condensations; the whols in south portion of nebula are fairly normal, but the north portion is rather curious."
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02 47 04.0 +16 12 00; Ari
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 100°
24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, ~30" diameter, very small brighter nucleus, faint outer halo. A mag 14.2 star is 1.2' NW.
17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5'. Faint stellar nucleus at moments. A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' NW. The main body appears elongated E-W on the POSS. IC 255 wasn't seen.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1088 = H. III-582 on 25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and noted "vF, S, irr F." His position was 2' too far south. About a half-hour later the sweep was interrupted when Jupiter entered the field. John Herschel made no published observations.
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NGC 1089 = MCG -03-08-020 = PGC 10481
02 46 10.1 -15 04 23; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15°
24" (1/28/17): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~0.5'x0.4', very small brighter core, occasional stellar nucleus.
17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter. Symmetrical appearance with a weak, even concentration to a faint stellar nucleus. Third of three on a line with NGC 1083 18' SSW and NGC 1081 34' SSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1089 = Sw. 5-44 on 29 Sep 1886
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "eeF, S, R, sf
of 2 [with NGC 1083]". His
position is 9 seconds of RA west of
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NGC 1090 = UGC 2247 = MCG +00-08-011 = CGCG 389-011 = PGC 10507
02 46 33.9 -00 14 50; Cet
V = 11.8; Size 4.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 102°
18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, ~2.5'x1', broad mild concentration to a fairly large, slightly brighter core which has a mottled texture. A mag 15 star is just off the the south edge and an 11th magnitude star lies 3' N.
17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, moderately large,
oval ~E-W, weak concentration. A
mag 15 star is at the south edge 42" from center and a mag 11.5 star is
3.1' N. NGC 1087 lies 15' S and
13.1" (9/3/83): faint, moderately large, diffuse, slightly elongated ~E-W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1090 = H. II-465 = h266 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "F, pL, R, bM."
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02 45 22.4 -17 32 00; Eri
V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 77°
17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, very small, elongated 4:3
WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.5', no concentration.
A mag 11.5 star is 2.4' NNW of center. Forms a close pair with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1091 = LM 1-65 (along with NGC 1092, 1098, 1099 and 1100) on 17 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 1' too far south. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1092 = HCG 21D = ESO 546-017 = MCG -03-08-014 = PGC 10432
02 45 29.5 -17 32 32; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 170°
17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, increases to a bright core. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 1091 1.8' WNW. Last in HCG 21, consisting of five faint galaxies with NGC 1091, NGC 1098, NGC 1099 and NGC 1100.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1092 = LM 1-66 (along with NGC 1091 and 1098) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. Herbert Howe's corrected position, repeated in the IC 2 notes, is accurate. Howe also noted that NGC 1092 is "considerably brighter than its companion" although both were described by Leavenworth as "vF".
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02 48 16.2 +34 25 12; Tri
V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 100°
17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, fairly low almost even surface brightness. Located 4.3' SSE of a mag 9.5 star.
Édouard Stephan probably discovered NGC 1093 = St. 10-14 on 29 Nov 1875 and recorded a rough position 2' to the SE. He possibly made an earlier discovery on 30 Nov 1886, though the position was off by 30'. His published micrometric position (list 10, #14) was made on 6 Dec 1879.
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NGC 1094 = UGC 2262 = MCG +00-08-015 = CGCG 389-016 = PGC 10559
02 47 27.8 -00 17 06; Cet
V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 85°
18" (1/15/07): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 5:3 E-W, ~1'x0.6', broad weak concentration. Forms a close pair with
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round,
bright core. NGC 1087 lies 20' SW
and NGC 1090 14' WNW. Located 4.8'
S of mag 9.1
13.1" (9/3/83): very faint, very small, almost round. Located 14' ESE of NGC 1090.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1094 = H. III-462 = h267 on
7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470) and noted "vF, S." His position is 1' S of
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02 47 37.9 +04 38 15; Cet
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45°
17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8'. Appears as a low unconcentrated glow just 2.0' SE of a mag 10 star which hampers viewing. Forms a pair with NGC 1101 10' SE.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1095 = St. 8b-8, along with
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02 43 49.4 -59 54 47; Hor
V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.0
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, fairly
small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 35"x25", fairly even surface
brightness. Mag 9.8
John Herschel discovered NGC 1096 = h2496 on 3 Oct 1836 and logged "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30 arcsec." His RA is 10 seconds west of ESO 115-028 = PGC 10336.
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NGC 1097 = Arp 77 NED2 = ESO 416-020 = MCG -05-07-024 = UGCA 41 = LGG 075-003 = PGC 10488
02 46 19.0 -30 16 29; For
V = 9.5; Size 9.3'x6.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 130°
30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): NGC 1097 was one of the top highlights of my October 2015 trip to Australia. At 303x; this showpiece barred spiral contains a bright central bar ~4.5'x1.5' NW-SE. The bar is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, slightly elongated NW-SE core but no distinct stellar nucleus.
A prominent spiral arm is attached on the northwest end of the bar. The arm is relatively thin, well defined and knotty as it curls counterclockwise to the east, dimming out gradually about 3' ENE of center. A large bright knot is close to the northwest end of the bar, just inside the beginning of the arm and close east of a superimposed mag 14.5 star. NED catalogues this region with the multiple designations NGC 1097:[EKS96] 148 and [EKS96] 151 from the 1996 "An Atlas of H II Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies". Roughly halfway along its length is a pair of fairly prominent HII knots. The first is [EKS96] 245, a 12" knot 2.5' NNE of center. Close east is slightly larger [EKS96] 300/304, 2.5' NE of center. The arm then fades as it passes just south of a mag 15 star.
At the southeast end of the bar a delicate, thin spiral arm unfurls counterclockwise towards the northwest. About halfway along its length is a slightly brighter elongated patch extending ~30" in length, with designations [EKS96] 100/105/119 and others. The arm dims out about 3' WSW of center. The arms stretch about 6' tip to tip, giving overall dimensions of perhaps 7'x6'.
The satellite galaxy
18" (12/30/08): very bright, large, very elongated
NW-SE. The brightest portion is
the entire central "bar" which extends ~5'x1.5'. This region is surrounded by a much
fainter "halo", increasing the size to ~5'x3'. The center is strongly concentrated to
a very bright 50"x40" core, slightly elongated NW-SE. At the northwest end of the bar, a very
diffuse arm sweeps to the east in a counterclockwise direction for ~2.5' in
length and appears to brighten or have a faint knot near the end. At the southeast end of the bar, only a
hint of a short extension sweeping west was detected. A faint star (mag ~14.5) is along the
west side at the northwest end of the main bar, near where the brighter arm is
attached. NGC 1097A, a small
companion galaxy, is situated just off the NW side and appeared faint, very
small, irregularly round, 25"x20". Brightest in a group (LGG 075) including NGC 1079,
17.5" (10/17/87): very bright, very large, very elongated NW-SE, very bright core. A companion galaxy NGC 1097A is attached at the NW end.
14.5" (12/17/20): at 140x; bright, very large, elongated ~5:2 NW-SE, ~4.5'x2', sharply and strongly concentrated with a prominent core that increases to a very small (non-stellar) intensely bright nucleus. The outer halo is very diffuse but may increase the dimensions to 6'x4'.
NGC 1097A is situated 3.3' NW of center, and in line with the major axis. It was faint but easily visible, elongated 2:1, 30"x15".
8" (10/31/81): bright, elongated NW-SE, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1097 = H. V-48 = h2495 on 9
Oct 1790 (sweep 972). He logged
"very bright, elongated 75° np to sf; about 8' long. A very bright nucleus confined to a
small part about 1' diameter."
Taking precession into account, this is the 4th most southerly galaxy
that Herschel discovered. In 1790
it culminated at an elevation of just 7.3°.
John Herschel recorded this barred spiral on 18 Nov 1835 (sweep 643) from South Africa as "B, L, vmE, pspmbM, 3' long; pos = 151.1°." The next night he logged "B, L, vmE, pretty suddenly very much bright middle to a pretty large, round nucleus; 4' long, 40" broad." Dunlop's D 625 possibly refers to NGC 1097, although his position is too rough to make a positive identification. He found a "round nebula, about 2' dia, very bright at the centre, and very faint from the centre to the margin , almost equally faint from the bright nucleus to the margin. There are two pretty bright small stars following the nebula rather north."
NGC 1097 was photographed in 1919-1920 at the Helwan Observatory near Cairo and by Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos in the late 1930s with the 60-inch reflector (mirror originally from Andrew Ainslie Common) at Harvard's Boyden Station in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Shapley and Paraskevopoulos remarked "The large nucleus shows a strong rift and a peculiar internal structure that perhaps result chiefly from the distribution of obscuration. Along the swollen or elliptical "bar" and in the spiral arms there are also peculiar obscurations and markings."
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NGC 1098 = HCG 21C = ESO 546-014 = MCG -03-08-008 = PGC 10403
02 44 53.7 -17 39 33; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 102°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', small bright core, stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 5.2' SSW of mag 8.1
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1098 = LM 1-67, along
with NGC 1091 = I-65 and NGC 1092 = I-66, on 17 Oct 1885. There is nothing at his position but 2
tmin east and 2' north is
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NGC 1099 = HCG 21A = ESO 546-015 = MCG -03-08-011 = PGC 10422
02 45 17.6 -17 42 31; Eri
V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 10°
17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.5', no concentration. Brightest in HCG 21 with NGC 1100 4.5' ENE and NGC 1098 6.4' NW.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1099 = LM 1-68 (along with NGC 1098 = I-67 and NGC 1100 = I-69) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Ormond Stone's corrected position in the IC 1 is accurate and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00.
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NGC 1100 = HCG 21B = ESO 546-018 = MCG -03-08-016 = PGC 10438
02 45 36.0 -17 41 19; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 58°
17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Similar appearance as NGC 1099 4.5' WSW. A mag 14 star is off the SE side 1.7' from the center and a mag 13 star is 2.3' NNE. About 9' N is pair of faint galaxies; NGC 1091 = HCG 21E and NGC 1092 = HCG 21D.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1100 = LM 1-69 (along with NGC 1098 = I-67 and NGC 1099 = I-68) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Ormond Stone's corrected position given in the IC 1 Notes is accurate and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00 at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 1101 = UGC 2278 = MCG +01-08-003 = PGC 10613
02 48 14.8 +04 34 41; Cet
V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.4', very small bright core. Forms a "double" with a mag 13 star at the west end 24" from the center. Starting about 4' SW is a very shallow arc of five mag 12-13 stars open to the NW with two 30" pairs at the SW and east ends of the arc and a total length of 4.5'. Forms a pair with NGC 1095 10' NW.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1101 = St. 8b-9, along with NGC 1095, on 4 Nov 1875. His published micrometric position (list 8b, #9) was made a year later on 22 Nov 1876 with description "eF, eeS, R, bM, *13 preceding by 2 seconds in parallel."
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02 47 12.9 -22 12 32; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 89°
17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, very small, slightly
elongated, only glimpsed with averted vision. Situated on a E-W line between two mag 12 and 13 stars 5.4'
E and 4.4' W. There are two mag 14
stars nearly collinear 1.6' and 2.4' S.
Located 17' due north of mag 6.5
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1102 = LM 2-348 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.7,
0.2', R." His position is 17
tsec east of
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02 48 06.0 -13 57 35; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:1
SW-NE. Unusual appearance with a
mag 12 star just at the NE end of this small streak. Forms a pair with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1103 = Sw. 3-21 on 26 Dec 1885
with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 8 sec of RA west of
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02 48 38.7 -00 16 17; Cet
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 70°
18" (1/15/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3, very weak concentration except for a slightly brighter quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star lies 1' S.
17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE. A mag 14 star is 1.0' S of center. Located 18' E of NGC 1094.
13.1" (9/3/83): extremely faint, very small. A line of three stars is following and a faint star is off the SE edge.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1104 on 6 Nov 1864 with an
11" refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, vS, a mag 14 star is
50" south." His position
and description matches
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NGC 1105 = IC 1840 = MCG -03-08-004 = PGC 10333
02 43 42.0 -15 42 20; Cet
V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4
18" (11/26/03): very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', broad concentration with a round 20" core. Located 6' NW of mag 8.9 SAO 148573. NGC 1081 lies 20' ENE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1105 = LM 1-71 on 2 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but
Harold Corwin examined Leavenworth's discovery sketch and it matches
This galaxy was independently discovered by Herbert Howe on
30 Jan 1900, probably while searching for NGC 1105 at the NGC position, and
reported it as new in list 3-7 (later
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02 50 40.5 +41 40 18; Per
V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, very small, slightly
elongated WSW-ENE, bright core. A
mag 14.5 star is attached at the west end. Located 3' WNW of mag 8.5
John Herschel discovered NGC 1106 = h268 on 18 Sep 1828,
although he was uncertain about the observation: "Query whether a nebula
or a knot of minute stars indistinctly seen." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 minute of
RA west is
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02 49 19.6 +08 05 34; Cet
V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140°
17.5" (10/21/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Fairly high surface brightness with a prominent core and much fainter extensions. Two strings of stars form a "V" to the south.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1107 = m 74 on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, vS, R." His position is accurate.
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02 48 38.5 -07 57 04; Eri
V = 15.1; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 85°
17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter. At moments a stellar nucleus is visible. NGC 1110 lies 11' NE at the edge of the 220x field.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1108 = Sw. 5-45 on 31 Oct 1886
with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec east and 24" north of
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02 47 43.6 +13 15 20; Ari
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (1/9/99): faint, small, round, 25" diameter,
weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Situated 2.5' ENE of a mag 11.5
star. The NGC identification of
this galaxy is very uncertain due to poor positions in the group by Marth and
UGC, MCG and CGCG identify this galaxy as
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1109 = m 75 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF". This is the first in a group of 8 that
he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117)
have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps he confused
some faint stars as nebulous.
There is nothing near his position for NGC 1109. Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1109
may refer to
Modern catalogues, including RC3, RNGC, PGC and LEDA
identify
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02 49 09.5 -07 50 14; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 2.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 18°
17.5" (11/28/97): this unusual galaxy appears a moderately large, low surface brightness streak, 2.0'x0.4' oriented SSW-NNE. Located 2.7' N of a mag 11.5 star. NGC 1108 lies 11' SW. Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1110 = LM 2-349 on 21 Dec 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 15 tsec east of MCG -01-08-010 = PGC 10673 and his dimensions of 2.8'x0.3' clearly refers to this galaxy although his PA (168°) has a quadrant error.
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NGC 1111 = IC 1850? = PGC 1426583
02 48 39.3 +13 15 34; Ari
Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 9°
17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:1 SSW- NNE, ~25"x9". Originally this object appeared virtually stellar as I probably just detected the core but after viewing for awhile the thin extensions were noticed. IC 1850 is located 5.6' NW of IC 1852. This NGC identification (NGC 1111) is very uncertain.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1111 = m 76 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, vS, stellar". This is the second in a group of 8
galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112,
1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps
he confused faint stars as nebulous.
Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1111 = IC 1850 = PGC 1426583, which is
located 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position but matches in RA. Courtney Seligman notes that IC 1850
could just as easily be equated with NGC 1109, as Marth's positions for these
two entries are very close. RNGC,
PGC and HyperLEDA label
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NGC 1112 = IC 1852? = UGC 2293 = MCG +02-08-011 = CGCG 440-015 = PGC 10660
02 49 00.4 +13 13 25; Ari
V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 3°
17.5" (1/9/99): very faint, fairly small, ~40"x25". Appears as a very low surface brightness glow with no noticeable concentration and an ill-defined edge. After extended viewing could hold continuously with direct vision. IC 1850 (possibly NGC 1111) lies 5.6' NW and IC 1846 (possibly NGC 1109) is 19' W. The NGC identification is very uncertain and CGCG, UGC and MCG label this galaxy as IC 1852 only.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1112 = m 77 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, pS". This is the third in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or possibly he confused faint stars as nebulous.
Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1112 may refer IC 1852 = UGC 2293 = PGC 10660. Stephane Javelle discovered this galaxy on 7 Jan 1896 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory. Marth's position is exactly 1.0 min of RA following IC 1852 and matches in declination. CGCG, UGC and MCG label this galaxy IC 1852, while RNGC, PGC, RC3 and Megastar identify it as NGC 1109. RNGC classifies NGC 1112 as nonexistent. Finally, HyperLEDA equates IC 1852 with NGC 1109. Although NGC 1112 = IC 1852 is a reasonable match, given all the problems in this region this identification is very uncertain. See Corwin's notes for NGC 1109 and Courtney's Seligman website for NGC 1112.
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02 50 05.0 +13 19 39; Ari
= *??, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1113 = m 78 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted simply as "vF". This is the 4th in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps he confused faint stars as nebulous. Marth's position falls very close to a 10th magnitude star, though it is very unlikely Marth could have described this star as "vF" and there are no other non-stellar candidates due west or east. Corwin suggests that NGC 1113 may refer to a 15th magnitude star 2' NW (position given here) of the bright star, though this is very speculative. NGC 1113 is classified as nonexistent in the RNGC and there is no entry in LEDA.
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02 49 07.2 -16 59 39; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 8°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated almost 3:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.7', broad concentration to a brighter middle but no nucleus. Appears slightly larger than catalogued dimensions.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1114 = H. III-449 = h269 = h2497 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and logged "vF, pL, broadly extended, little brighter in the middle." John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope, where he recorded on 11 Dec 1835 (sweep 652), "pB, L, pmE, very gradually little brighter middle, 2' long, 40" broad."
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02 50 25.3 +13 15 58; Ari
V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 10°
17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, very small, round,
15" diameter. Can hold
steadily with averted vision. A
nice pair of mag 13.5/14 star lie 2' N [17" separation]. Located 4.8' SSW of
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1115 = m 79 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF". Although 5 of the 8 objects in the
region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, Marth's
position is a good match with
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NGC 1116 = UGC 2326 = MCG +02-08-017 = CGCG 440-021 = PGC 10781
02 50 35.7 +13 20 06; Ari
V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 27°
17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.2', very small brighter core. Forms a pair with NGC 1115 4.8' SSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1116 = m 80 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF". Although 5 of the 8 objects in the
region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, NGC 1116 is an
excellent match with
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02 51 13.0 +13 11 07; Ari
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 5°
17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S. Appears as a barely resolved double system oriented N-S, ~30"x20" total size. The object at the south side appears to have a stellar nucleus. The northern object has a 20" halo and appears larger. The centers of this pair are only 24" apart.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1117 = m 81 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "Close to a small star". This is the 7th in a group of 8
galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112,
1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps
he confused faint stars as nebulous.
There is nothing near his position for NGC 1117, but
******************************
02 49 58.7 -12 09 50; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 2.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 90°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4'. The small, rounder bright core contains a faint stellar nucleus. A wide unequal pair [mag 12/14 at 33" separation] lies 5' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1118 = Sw. 5-46 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description "vE" is accurate
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02 48 17.1 -17 59 15; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 0°
17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration. Forms the west vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a mag 10.5 star 3.0' NE and a mag 12 star 3.5' SE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1119 = LM 1-72 on 17 Oct
1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but
Herbert Howe measured an accurate position at the end of the century (repeated
in the IC 2 notes) that matches
******************************
02 49 04.1 -14 28 15; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40°
17.5" (11/18/95): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter. Even concentration to a bright core and nearly stellar nucleus. A faint, close double star lies 4.2' SSW and 5' NW is a small group of four mag 13 stars (includes a 30" pair).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1120 = LM 1-72 on 1 Jan
1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his rough position,
but 1.1 min of RA west (common error) is
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02 50 39.1 -01 44 03; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.5; PA = 10°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', well concentrated with a small bright core and a stellar nucleus. Located 1.7' SSW of a mag 10 star in the northwest corner of Eridanus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1121 = Sw. 1-4 on 9 Nov 1884 with his 16-inch refractor. His RA was 13 seconds too large. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory as well as Porter in 1908 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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02 52 51.1 +42 12 20; Per
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round,
diffuse. A pair of mag 14 stars
are at the ESE and NE end and a mag 15 star is at the west end. Located 12' NNE of mag 7.2
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1122 = Sw. 2-25 on 6 Sep 1885
with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pS, R,
* nr north." His position and
description matches
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NGC 1123 = NGC 1122 = UGC 2353 = MCG +07-06-083 = CGCG 539-117 = PGC 10890
02 52 51.1 +42 12 20; Per
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, diffuse. A pair of mag 14 stars are at the ESE and NE end and a mag 15 star is at the west end. Located 12' NNE of mag 7.2 SAO 38407.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1123 = H. II-601 = h270 on
17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "F, S, iF, resolvable." His position is within 2' of
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02 51 35.9 -25 42 07; For
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 0°
17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Located 1.8' SW of a mag 10.3 star. This galaxy has a faint outer ring, but the observation records the smaller, round core only.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1124 = LM 1-74 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "*9, nf
1'." His description and
rough position is a good match with
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02 51 40.4 -16 39 02; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 53°
24" (1/28/17): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright,
elongated nearly 3:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.35', small bright core, stellar
nucleus. Forms a very close
(optical) pair with
17.5" (11/18/95): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.4', small bright core. MCG -03-08-034 at the southwest tip was not seen.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1125 = H. III-450 = h272 on
6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and noted "vF, S, E." His position is accurate, though falls
closer to the fainter southwest component (MCG -03-08-034). The northeast component (
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02 52 18.6 -01 17 45; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 135°
17.5" (11/7/89): extremely faint, small, edge-on 4:1
NW-SE, low even surface brightness.
Located 8' WSW of
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1126 = Sw. 5-47 on 31 Oct 1886
with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 44" north of
******************************
02 52 51.8 +13 15 23; Ari
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 39°
17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, slightly
elongated, 0.5'x0.4', low even surface brightness with no noticeable core. Situated in a fairly sparse star field
with a mag 10.9 star 6' ESE.
Located 19' NW of
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1127 = m 82 on 2 Dec 1863 with
Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF". Although 5 of the 8 objects in the
region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, Marth's position
for this number is a good match with
******************************
02 57 41.6 +06 01 28; Cet
V = 12.7; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.7
24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 N-S. This merged double system was easily resolved with the two nuclei separated by 16" N-S. The northern nucleus was noticeably brighter and well defined, ~12" diameter. The southern nucleus had a lower surface brightness and the edge faded out more gradually into the common halo that enclosed both nuclei. A mag 13.6 star is 1' W and a mag 12.6 star is 1' SW.
18" (11/22/08): on initial glance the brightest galaxy
in
17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S,
40"x20", irregular surface brightness. On careful examination the glow resolved into a very close
pair of extremely small galaxies oriented N-S with tangent halos [just 16"
between centers!]. This double
system is the brightest in AGC 400 with
The identification of this galaxy with NGC 1128 is very uncertain.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1128 = Sw. 5-48 on 8 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; lE; 2 pF stars close preceding." There are no good candidates near Swift's position.
Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1128 is
Interestingly, William Herschel might have first observed this double system. On 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607), he recorded "Some small stars with suspected nebulosity, probably a deception." Although he didn't catalog it due to his uncertaintly, his position is just 1' NW of CGCG 415-041!
Stephane Javelle also discovered the double system on 1 Dec 1905 and measured an accurate position for J. 4-1496. He described it as "faint, double; appearance of a small double star whose two components are about mag 14, but surrounded by nebulosity. The nebulous character is certain." The 330 objects in his 4th list were never published.
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02 54 27.3 +41 34 46; Per
V = 12.5; Size 2.9'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 90°
18" (11/18/06): this giant cD galaxy is the brightest
in the nearby X-ray bright cluster WBL 88 = AWM 7 (z = 0.017), which is a
member of the Pisces-Perseus supercluster. Several faint galaxies lie within a
few arcminutes including
17.5" (10/24/87): brightest in a compact group. Moderately bright, moderately large,
elongated WSW-ENE, brighter along major axis, small bright core. A mag 15 star is at the west edge
22" from the center. Forms a
close trio with NGC 1130 1.7' NNW and NGC 1131 1.7' SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1129 = H. II-602 = h271 on
17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "F, pS, irregularly round, little
brighter in the middle." John
Herschel described it on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182): "vF; R very gradually
little brighter middle; 30" diameter." Their positions match
R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant in Oct 1854, noted "has either a F* sp or is double." This refers to MCG +07-07-003, which MCG misidentified this galaxy as NGC 1129. In December, he noted "suspect the supposed neb close sp edge to be only a faint double star. Finally in Dec 1855, Mitchell observed with Lord Rosse, who "thought the companion on sp edge to be merely a neb with a * for centre." Because of the uncertainty, Dreyer didn't assign an NGC designation to MCG +07-07-003.
******************************
NGC 1130 = MCG +07-07-002 = CGCG 540-004 = CGCG 539-122 = AWM 7-6 = PGC 10951
02 54 24.4 +41 36 20; Per
V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 35°
18" (11/18/06): faint, very small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.2'. A mag 14 star is attached at the south end. Located in the core of the NGC 1129 cluster = AWM 7, just 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129.
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is just south. Located 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129.
William Parsons (Lord Rosse) and assistant R.J. Mitchell
discovered NGC 1130 and 1131 on the 8 Dec 1855 observation of the NGC 1129
field. Their description reads,
"there is a knot north about 2' distance [from NGC 1129].
******************************
NGC 1131 = MCG +07-07-005 = CGCG 539-125 = CGCG 540-007 = V Zw 286 = AWM 7-4 = PGC 10964
02 54 34.0 +41 33 32; Per
V = 13.5; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5
18" (11/18/06): faint, very small, round, 20"
diameter, weak even concentration.
Located 1.7' SE of NGC 1129 in the core of the AWM 7 cluster. Brighter
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round, bright core. Third of three with much brighter NGC 1129 1.7' NW and NGC 1130 3.5' NW.
William Parsons (Lord Rosse) and assistant R.J. Mitchell
discovered NGC 1131 and 1130 during the 8 Dec 1855 observation of the NGC 1129
field. They recorded,
"another about 2' following and a little south of h271 [NGC
1129]". CGCG 540-004 = PGC
10964 lies 1.7' SE of NGC 1129 and is the best candidate. Harold Corwin notes that
******************************
NGC 1132 = UGC 2359 = MCG +00-08-040 = CGCG 389-040 = PGC 10891
02 52 51.8 -01 16 27; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 2.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 140°
17.5" (11/7/89): faint, small, round, almost even
surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus. Located 4.3' WSW of mag 9.5
NGC 1132 is the prototype of a "Fossil Group" -- the end-product of extensive merging of a once normal group, leaving a massive central galaxy that dominates the luminosity of a X-ray luminous group (delta Rmag ≥ 2.0 with next brightest group member).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1132 = h273 on 23 Nov 1827
(sweep 107) and recorded "eF; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; has a
*8m following". His position
and description matches
******************************
02 52 42.1 -08 48 15; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175°
17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core. Mag 14.5 stars lie 2.6' E and 2.3' NNW.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1133 = LM 2-350 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is a good match with MCG -02-08-015. His notes mention that mag 12 stars 3' np and 2' nf. These stars are 2.3' NNW and 2.6' E, and closer to mag 14.
******************************
NGC 1134 = Arp 200 = UGC 2365 = MCG +02-08-027 = CGCG 440-027 = PGC 10928
02 53 41.2 +13 00 53; Ari
V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 148°
24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately
large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a
bright core and fairly bright, sharp stellar nucleus. Appears slightly brighter along the east edge with averted
-- probably a section of the eastern spiral arm, which is bright on the
DSS. A mag 13.6 star is 50"
NE of center.
Arp noted "Splash appearance on west side [tidal plume] of galaxy points to low surface brightness companion 7' [west]." The companion he referred to is UGC 2362, which is possibly interacting (the pair has identical redshifts). UGC 2362 appeared faint, fairly small, very low surface brightness patch ~20" diameter (probably the brighter central part of this Magellanic system). A mag 14.8 star is 0.8' S.
IC 267 appeared moderately bright, relatively large, elongated ~4:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.7'x0.4', irregular surface brightness. This appears to be a central bar (verified on the DSS) rather than an edge-on galaxy. Either a star is superimposed at the center or the galaxy has a bright stellar nucleus! Located 10' SSE of NGC 1134.
17.5" (10/21/95): faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 1.8'x0.3', broad weak concentration. Located 10.3' SSE of NGC 1134.
17.5" (10/21/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly
elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration with a large brighter
core. A mag 13 star is 48"
ENE of center. Located 11' ENE of
mag 8.9
William Herschel discovered NGC 1134 = H. II-254 on 16 Oct
1784 (sweep 295) and recorded "F, S, irregularly round, r". His position is 2.3' SE of
******************************
02 50 53.7 -54 58 33; Hor
V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80°
See observing notes for
John Herschel found NGC 1135 = h2498 on 11 Sep 1836 and
recorded "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle. Taken for No 3
sweep 520 [h2499 = NGC 1136], but proves, on reduction, to be a different
nebula". His position is 1.5' NW of NGC 1136 and 2' S of
If this identification is correct, NGC 1135 is John Herschel’s faintest discovery at B = 16.2. But then why did he classify it as "Faint", instead of "Extremely Faint" (his faintest class)? Instead, Harold Corwin argues NGC 1135 is a duplicate observation of NGC 1136 (discovered earlier on 5 Dec 1834), despite Herschel stating they were two different objects. HyperLeda is the only online catalogue that equates NGC 1135 and 1136.
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NGC 1136 = NGC 1135 = ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807
02 50 53.7 -54 58 33; Hor
V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80°
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly bright,
moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, ~1.5'x1.2'. Sharply concentrated with a fairly small (20") very
bright core surrounded by a much fainter halo. Located 7' NW of mag 8.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1136 = h2499 on 5 Dec 1834 and
logged "F; R; gb; - moon up."
There is nothing at his position but 5.4' N is
Pietro Baracchi searched for GC 622 [NGC 1136] unsuccessfully on 11 Feb 1888 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He reported "GC 622 is not to be found and probably there is some mistake in the position - according to his description 622 is no fainter than 621 [NGC 1135], therefore I should see it."
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02 54 02.7 +02 57 43; Cet
V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 20°
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, almost round, broad concentration, stellar nucleus?
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1137 = Sw. 3-22 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 11 seconds of RA east and 1' south of UGC 2374.
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02 56 36.5 +43 02 50; Per
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 13 star 0.9' S and a mag 12.5 star 0.9' SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1138 = H. III-580 = h274 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620) and remarked "Suspected. resolvable, 1 or 2 stars visible in it." John Herschel gave a more complete description on 23 Dec 1831 (sweep 389), "vF; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"; makes isosceles triangle with 2 stars 15 mag".
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02 52 46.8 -14 31 46; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 36°
17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, small, round, 30"
diameter, low even surface brightness.
Appeared fainter than V = 13.3 and required averted vision to see with
certainty using GSC chart. A mag
15.5 double star is 1' SW (verified on GSC).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1139 = LM 1-75 on 1 Jan
1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his rough position,
but 1.4 min of RA west is
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02 54 33.4 -10 01 42; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 6°
13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, very small, round, stellar nucleus. Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1140 = H. II-470 = h275 = h2500 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 475) and logged "F, S. I had hardly been out long enough, but yet I think it was no deception." A second observation showed it as "pretty bright, but hardly to be distinguished from a star." John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope.
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02 55 09.7 -00 10 41; Cet
See observing notes for
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1141 = m 83 on 5 Jan 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and described as "vF, S, [Double neb with NGC 1142]". There is nothing at his position (not found by Fath in 1914 on Mt. Wilson plates). However 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144, found by Édouard Stephan (8a-10 and 8a-11) on 29 Oct 1875 (perhaps looking for Marth's objects) and placed accurately. This pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144 due to the unambiguous identification. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.
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02 55 12.0 -00 10 59; Cet
See observing notes for
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1142 = m 84 on 5 Jan 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "pF, S, R [Double neb with NGC 1141]". There is nothing at his position (not found by Fath in 1914 on Mt. Wilson plates). However 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144. This was later found by Édouard Stephan (list 8a-10 and 8a-11) on 29 Oct 1875. The pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144 due to the unambiguous identification. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.
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NGC 1143 = NGC 1141 = Arp 118 NED1 = Arp 118:C1 = VV 331b =
02 55 09.7 -00 10 41; Cet
V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.8'; PA = 110°
48" (11/4/21): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small,
round, ~0.6' diameter, strong concentration with very bright core that
increased to the center. In a
common dog-bone shaped halo with NGC 1144 [0.7' between centers].
48" (10/25/11): bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.7', well concentrated with a very bright, intense core! Slightly fainter of an interacting pair with highly disrupted NGC 1144, just 40" between centers. The eastern portion of the outer halo of NGC 1143 is merged or overlaps with the halo of NGC 1144 on its northwestern side.
PGC 1150350, listed as a 2nd "collider" with NGC 1144 in Madore's 2009 Atlas and Catalogue of Collisional Rings, lies 1.2' NW. The 2MASS galaxy appeared fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.4'x0.15', stellar nucleus.
17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round. In a common halo with NGC 1144 0.5' ESE. This galaxy is the slightly fainter of the pair.
Édouard Stephan found NGC 1143 = St. 8a-11, along with NGC 1144, on 29 Oct 1875 and again on 1 Dec 1875. His published accurate position (list 8a, #11) was made on 17 Nov 1876 with description "NGC 1144 and 1143 are contiguous and form a sort of nebula with 2 nuclei; they are almost identical; however [NGC 1144] is a little fainter than [NGC 1143]. Both excessively faint and small; round with central condensation."
Albert Marth earlier discovered this galaxy on 5 Jan 1864 but his position was 40' too far N (also NGC 1142), so he didn't receive credit. But it is clear that Marth's NGC 1141 = NGC 1143 and Marth's 1142 = NGC 1144.
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NGC 1144 = NGC 1142 = Arp 118 NED2 = VV 331a = UGC 2389 =
02 55 12.0 -00 10 59; Cet
V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 130°
48" (11/4/21): at 488x; bright, slightly elongated, strong concentration with a very bright core that increased to the center. Slightly brighter of a merged pair with NGC 1143 [center 0.7' NW] in a common peanut or dogbone-shaped halo. The bridge of material extending from NGC 1144 was slightly darker in the interior forming a "loop".
48" (10/25/11): at 488x, appeared very bright,
moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 50"x35". Contains a large, very bright core that
is offset to the SE side. The core
gradually increases to an intense center.
A mag 16.4 star is off the southeast side. Forms a double system (
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, round, bright core. Slightly brighter of pair with NGC 1143 in a common halo 0.5' WNW.
Édouard Stephan found NGC 1144 = St. 8a-10, along with NGC 1143, on 29 Oct 1875 and again on 1 Dec 1875. His published accurate position (list 8a, #10) was made on 17 Nov 1876 Albert Marth earlier discovered this galaxy on 5 Jan 1864, but his position for NGC 1142 was 40' too far N. So, NGC 1144 = NGC 1142. Based on the earlier discovery, NGC 1142 should be the primary designation, but due to Marth's poor position, Stephan's number has been used. See NGC 1143 for more.
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02 54 33.2 -18 38 09; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 3.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 60°
17.5" (12/28/94): faint, moderately large, thin edge-on
7:1 WSW-ENE, 2.2'x0.3', only a weak concentration. Among a group of three mag 10-11 stars with a mag 10 star
just following the ENE tip.
NGC 1145 is a member of the
John Herschel discovered NGC 1145 = h2501 on 11 Dec 1835 and
recorded "F, vmE, 90" long, 10" broad; has two stars 10th mag
following." His position is
accurate. MCG misidentifies MCG -03-08-028
as NGC 1145 and UGC misidentifies
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02 57 37.0 +46 26 14; Per
Size 0.4'
18" (11/23/05): this asterism consists of a 30"
pair of mag 12/13 stars with a couple of fainter companions making a
quadruple. About 1' NW is a faint,
hazy clump of three mag 14-15 stars.
Viewed at 225x and 300x.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1146 on 29 Jan 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and described "Cl, vS. At 226x the stars are clearly mixed with nebulosity. A triple star is directly south." His position is ~1' northwest of a a group of four stars that Corwin identifies as NGC 1146. Three brighter stars are also close southeast matching d'Arrest's description.
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02 55 18 -09 07; Eri
= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1147 = LM 2-351 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.0, 0.4'x0.2', E 180°, *9.5 f 25s n 1'." There are no candidates near his position and Corwin found no match within 5° of Muller's position, so it stands now as lost. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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02 57 04.4 -07 41 09; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80°
17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, round, low
surface brightness, no concentration.
A mag 15 star appears superimposed at the NE side. Forms a pair with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1148 = Sw. 3-23 = LM II-352 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate although Bigourdan could not find the galaxy. Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in the Leander McCormick observatory second list (#352), though his RA was 30 seconds too large
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02 57 23.8 -00 18 34; Cet
V = 14.2; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 130°
17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is 30" SSW of center.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1149 = St. 11-6 on 2 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory and reported "vF, vS, R, bM, S* preceding 2 sec". His position and description (the star is 0.5' SW) is accurate.
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02 57 01.3 -15 02 55; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 65°
17.5" (11/10/96): brighter of pair with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1150 = LM 1-76 (along
with NGC 1151 = LM 1-77) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander
McCormick Observatory. His (rough)
position is close to
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02 57 04.6 -15 00 47; Eri
V = 15.0; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 10°
17.5" (11/10/96): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter. Requires averted to glimpse using GSC chart and no details visible. Located 2.3' NNE of NGC 1150.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1151 = LM 1-77 (along with NGC 1150 = LM 1-76) with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is close to MCG -03-08-048, with NGC 1151 = PGC 11147. RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 1150 = NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 = NGC 1181. Although the declinations are similar, NGC 1180/NGC 1181 are a separate 2' pair about 4.7 min of RA further east.
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NGC 1152 = MCG -01-08-019 = PGC 11182
02 57 33.6 -07 45 32; Eri
V = 14.5; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 10°
17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1148 8.5' NW. This galaxy is the smaller of the pair but has a higher surface brightness and is more concentrated. Located 2.5' N of a mag 11 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1152 = Sw. 3-24 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate.
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02 58 10.2 +03 21 43; Cet
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 45°
17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, very small bright core, slightly elongated SW-NE, small halo. A mag 14.5 star is superimposed 20" S of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1153 = H. II-274 = h276 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged "F, vS, iE, easily resolvable." His position was 3.5' too far SE. John Herschel made a single observation on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 95) and noted "F; S; R; suddenly brighter middle; 12" diameter."
Four observations were made at Birr Castle. On 7 Dec 1857, R.J. Mitchell recorded "F, vS, R, a S* close preceding." The mag 14.5 star is mentioned in my observation.
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02 58 07.7 -10 21 47; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 95°
17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, round, even surface
brightness. Forms a close pair
with
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1154 = St. 8b-11, along with NGC 1155, on 1 Dec 1875. His published position (list 8b, #11) was made on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 1155 = MCG -02-08-035 = Mrk 1064 = Holm 64b = PGC 11233
02 58 13.0 -10 21 00; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8
17.5" (10/13/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 1154 1.5' SW.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1155 = St. 8b-10, along with
NGC 1154. Coincidentally his rough
position is 10' due south of
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02 59 42.3 +25 14 15; Ari
V = 11.7; Size 3.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 25°
48" (11/5/21): at 488x; very bright, large, elongated ~3:1 SSW-NNE, ~2.3' in length. The main body has a high surface brightness and appeared very mottled and irregular, but there no core or nucleus. The outer halo has a much lower surface brightness with an irregular outline.
A small, slightly brighter elongated knot (HII region) is along the west side [0.4' SW of center]. A second small knot, ~6" diameter is at the SW end [0.8' SW of center]. Three stars are involved or at the edge; a mag 12.2 star and a mag 15 star on the N side [0.7' NNW and 0.4' N of center], and a mag 15 star at the S edge [1.2' SSW of center].
24" (12/12/17): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, ~2.25'x0.9', no well defined core, noticeably irregular outline and surface brightness. The low surface brightness halo appeared to spread out on the south end and the northeast side had an indentation. The main body was somewhat uneven or mottled with a couple of very small, low contrast knots suspected. In a friend's 28" at 438x, a knot was confirmed SW of center (~0.4'), as well as a slightly brightening NE of center (this is the "core" on deep images).
A mag 12 star is just inside the NNW border and a mag 15 star is closer in. Another mag 15 star is at or just beyond the southern edge.
18" (10/25/08): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x0.8'. Brighter along the major axis with a slightly brighter core. The outline is roughly rectangular and the surface brightness is irregular. The southwest end appears asymmetric. A mag 11.5 star is at the north end, 0.9' from center.
8" (12/6/80): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated SSW-NNE. A mag 12.5 star is just NW of the NE flank.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1156 = H. II-619 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 637). He described it as "pretty bright, considerably large, pretty much elongated in the meridian [N-S], resolvable, within a minute of a star." His position was just off the southeast side of this dwarf Irregular. Four observations were made at Birr Castle.
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02 58 06.6 -15 07 07; Eri
Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 170°
17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no other details visible. Located 1.9' WNW of a mag 12.5 star.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1157 = LM 1-78, along
with
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NGC 1158 = MCG -03-08-050 = PGC 11157
02 57 11.4 -14 23 45; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 147°
17.5" (10/17/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably only viewed the core). Surprisingly faint as nearby IC 270 located 24' NW is the brightest the group (including ICs 268, 269 and 272 as well as NGCs 1150, 1151, and 1157).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1158 = LM 1-79 (along
with NGC 1157 = LM 1-78) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander
McCormick Observatory. His
position (nearest tmin of RA) is 1 min of RA east of
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03 00 46.5 +43 09 46; Per
V = 13.4; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.5
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, weak
concentration. Located 6.8' ENE of
mag 7.6
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1159 = St. 13-21 on 30 Nov 1883. His published position (list 13, #21) was reduced a few days later (2 Dec 1883).
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03 01 13.2 +44 57 18; Per
V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1
SW-NE, broad concentration, diffuse halo.
A trio of mag 12-13 stars lie 1.5'-2' N. Forms a pair with
William Herschel discovered NGC 1160 = H. III-199 = h277, along with NGC 1161, on 7 Oct 1784 (sweep 285, carried out in the east). He recorded "Very faint, irregular figure, pretty small." On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645), he found it again while sweeping along the meridian at a very high altitude of 84.5°. His second description reads "pretty bright, irregularly round, much brighter middle, about 1' in diam."
John Herschel measured an accurate position for NGC 1161 and noted the wide double star off the west side, but has no entry for NGC 1160 and it was not found by d'Arrest. So, the observers at Birr Castle assumed NGC 1160 was a new discovery and the two galaxies have three entries in the GC. Dreyer staightened this out before the publication of the NGC, while an observing assistant at Birr Castle. Surprisingly, NGC 1160 was sketched by Dreyer and clearly shows the southern spiral arm.
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NGC 1161 = UGC 2474 = MCG +07-07-015 = CGCG 540-026 = PGC 11404
03 01 14.2 +44 53 50; Per
V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 23°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2
SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.
Two bright stars are close west; a mag 10 star is 45" W and mag 9
William Herschel discovered NGC 1161 = H. II-239 = h277, along with NGC 1160, on 7 Oct 1784 (sweep 285, carried out in the east). He recorded it as "pretty bright; pretty small; resolvable." On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) he observed it again this time in the meridian with the telescope just 5.5° from the zenith: "faint; elongated; about 1 1/2' long." This pair was observed at Birr Castle on 4 nights.
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02 58 55.9 -12 23 55; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (12/28/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, evenly concentrated with a small bright core and an quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is 3.7' S of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1162 = H. III-469 = h2502 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "vF, stellar, 240 power left some doubt." John Herschel observed NGC 1162 from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 25"." Édouard Stephan made observations on 29 Oct 1875 and 1 Nov 1877.
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03 00 22.0 -17 09 10; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 2.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 135°
17.5" (11/18/95): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3' (full length of extensions not seen), low even surface brightness. NGC 1163 is a member of the NGC 1209 Group (LGG 81), which includes NGCs 1145, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1199 and IC 276.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1163 = LM 1-80 on 31 Oct
1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Leavenworth's rough RA (nearest min of
RA) is about 1tmin west of
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03 01 59.8 +42 35 06; Per
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 145°
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is just 0.6' NNW of center and a mag 15 star is even closer at 0.4' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1164 = h278 on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182) and logged "eF; S; 5 arcseconds." His position is accurate.
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02 58 47.7 -32 05 55; For
V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 115°
17.5" (12/9/01): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0', irregular surface brightness. The brighter core appeared double at moments (faint star superimposed?). The outer halo is very diffuse.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1165 = h2503 on 19 Oct 1835 and noted "vF, pmE, very little brighter middle, 60" long, 30" broad." His position and description matches E417-008 = PGC 11270.
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03 00 35.0 +11 50 35; Ari
V = 14.0; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.1
17.5" (1/9/99): very faint, fairly small, weak
concentration. The halo is
ill-defined but appears irregularly round, ~0.8'x0.6. A couple of mag 15.5 stars are within 1' of the west
side. Also confusing the
observation is a superimposed mag
15.5+ star at the north edge which pops in and out of view for moments. A wide pair of mag 14 stars lie 3' NE.
Forms a pair with fainter
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1166 = m 85 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, S". His position is accurate.
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03 01 42.4 +35 12 20; Per
V = 12.4; Size 2.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 70°
17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, high
surface brightness core with very faint larger halo slightly elongated
WSW-ENE. A mag 10 star lies 4.0'
S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1167 = H. III-178 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and reported "vF, pL, R, small pB place in the middle." His position (reduced by Auwers) was ~11' too far WNW and the GC position was 4' too far northwest. Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 6 Jan 1874, though didn't publish a position. The NGC position, though, was accurate.
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NGC 1168 = UGC 2476 = MCG +02-08-047 = CGCG 440-042 = PGC 11378
03 00 47.2 +11 46 21; Ari
V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 18°
17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, round,
20" diameter. Probably only
viewed the core (the arms are very low surface brightness on the digitized sky
survey). Located midway between
NGC 1166 5.2' NW and mag 9
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1168 = m 85 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF". His position is accurate.
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03 03 34.7 +46 23 09; Per
V = 11.3; Size 4.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 28°
24" (2/8/18): at 200x; bright, very large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, ~2.5'x2.0', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core/nucleus. A bright star (mag ~13) is superimposed at the SSW edge of the nucleus! Located in a Perseus star field rich in fainter stars.
17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, very small, bright core. With averted vision a large extremely faint halo is visible elongated SW-NE. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the SW side of the core! NGC 1169 is located just 10.6° from the galactic equator. It's is a huge spiral, with a diameter of 170,000 light-years.
8" (1/1/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated. Only the core was visible as I missed the large halo.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1169 = H. II-620 = h279 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) and logged "Faint, small, irregularly round, brighter middle." The telescope was within 6° of the zenith as the galaxy crossed the field. Interestingly, John Herschel reported on 31 Dec 1831 (sweep 390), "vF; irreg figure. Suspected to be only a few stars."
Birr Castle observed R.J. Mitchell observed the galaxy on 11 Dec 1854: "Bright star south preceding the Nucl and a very faint star? involved north preceding the Nucl. The neby fades away gradually." The RNGC places this galaxy 1.0 min of RA too far east.
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03 02 24 +27 04; Ari
= Tail of a comet?, HC =Not found, JS.
Charles Sanders Peirce (son of Benjamin Peirce) discovered NGC 1170 = HN 38 on 31 Dec 1869 at Harvard College Observatory using the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor (Annals of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #47). An approximate position is given in the Harvard Observatory list based on comparison with Comet 1869 III. A very close, unequal double star is near Peirce's position at 03 02 29.6 +27 03 20 (2000). But the description "J.W. and C.S.P. independently think the sky generally bright f and a little n of the comet for 14' or more (several fields according to C.S.P.)" implies that the observation refers to an extremely large object and Corwin and Steinicke suggest the observation perhaps refers to the actual tail of the comet! This is the only object in the NGC attributed to Peirce (mispelled as Pierce in the NGC). Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC. See Corwin's comments.
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03 03 59.0 +43 23 54; Per
V = 12.3; Size 2.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 147°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1171 = St. 10-15 = Sw. 2-26 on 26 Nov 1869 with a rough position 1' S of center. He made a second observation on 1 Dec 1877 and published an accurate micrometric position on 4 Dec 1880 with description "very faint, pretty large, irregular." Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 1171 on 12 Sep 1885 and reported it as new in his second discovery paper (#26). His position was only 0.2 minutes of time too large. Dreyer credited both Stephan (1) and Swift (2) in the NGC.
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03 01 36.0 -14 50 12; Eri
V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25°
13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, broad
concentration. Located 2.1' SW of
mag 9.6
William Herschel discovered NGC 1172 = H. II-502 = h280 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "F, eS, stellar, preceding a pB star. 240 verified it." The "pB star" is 2' NE. On 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), John Herschel called this object "pB; pL; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 40" diameter."
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03 03 58 +42 23; Per
= Not found, RNGC.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1173 = Big. 12, along
with NGCs 1176, 1178, 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris
Observatory and reported "mag 13.4-13.5; 20" diameter, stellar
ncl". There is nothing at his
position, though Harold Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in
reducing the NPD from his offset stars.
Once corrected, his positions for the other three objects match single
stars near
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03 05 30.7 +42 50 05; Per
See observing notes for
Lewis Swift found NGC 1174 = Sw. 4-11 on 31 Aug 1883 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; in contact on preceding side with a pB*; D* np point to it about 4.5"." There is nothing at his position but 1 minute of RA further east is NGC 1186 and Swift's detailed description of the star in contact and the nearby double star clinches the equivalence. So, NGC 1174 = NGC 1186, with discovery priority to Herschel (H. IV-43).
Rudolph Spitaler first mentioned the equivalence in AN, 127, 91. He wrote "I could not find NGC 1174. Close to Swift's place are crowded four or five faint stars; About 6 seconds before the alleged position, I temporarily thought I noticed something nebulous, but I can not vouch for it. According to Swift's description, I rather believe that the place is in error by 1 minute and this nebula is identical to NGC 1186. This is supported by the remark "D[ouble] * np points to it about 4.5"." If the two nebulae were not identical, this would have to mean: "D * nf, etc.", where "D *" undoubtedly refers to the double star DM 42°694. Incidentally, according to Swift's description in NGC, it must also be called "pB * close following" instead of "pB * close preceding".
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NGC 1175 = UGC 2515 = MCG +07-07-019 = CGCG 540-032 = PGC 11578
03 04 32.3 +42 20 22; Per
V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 153°
17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, fairly small,
edge-on 3:1 NW-SE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with
13.1" (1/19/85): fairly faint, elongated NNW-SSE, fairly small, larger brighter core, diffuse outer arms, possible faint stellar nucleus. Located SE of a mag 7 star. Forms a close pair with NGC 1177 1.7' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1175 = H. II-607 on 24 Oct
1786 (sweep 620) and recorded "F, cL, E." His position is just off the east edge of
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03 04 34.9 +42 23 37; Per
= *, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1176 = Big. 13, along
with NGC 1173, 1178 and 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris
Observatory. There is nothing at the NGC position, but Corwin states that
Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star. Once corrected, his position for NGC
1176 corresponds with a mag 14.5 star 3.3' N of NGC 1175. The positions for
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NGC 1177 = IC 281 = MCG +07-07-020 = CGCG 540-033 = PGC 11581
03 04 37.1 +42 21 46; Per
V = 14.1; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W. A mag 13 star is just 33" N of center. Located 1.7' NE of NGC 1175 at the western edge of AGC 426.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1177
on 29 Nov 1874 and reported a "vS, F, R neb (to which 637 [NGC 1175]
perhaps extends) north-following.
A *11 in Pos 15.4°, Dist 34.6 arcsec." The position and description matches
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03 04 38.8 +42 18 49; Per
= *, Corwin. = Not found, RNGC.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1178 = Big. 14, along with NGC 1173, 1176 and 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star. Once corrected, his position for NGC 1176 corresponds with a mag 13.8 star 2.0' SE of NGC 1175. The positions for NGC 1176 and 1183 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost. See Corwin's notes.
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03 02 38.3 -18 53 51; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 4.9'x3.8'; Surf Br = 15.0; PA = 35°
17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint, moderately large, 2.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, Appears as a diffuse, hazy region with a mag 13.5 star at the ESE edge 1.2' from center.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1179 = LM 1-81 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position essentially matches
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03 01 51.0 -15 01 48; Eri
V = 14.9; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5°
17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly
elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. Forms a close (physical) pair with NGC 1181 2.4' SW. Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1180 = LM 1-82 (along with NGC 1181 = I-83) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Leavenworth's generally poor positions are close enough here so the identification NGC 1180 = PGC 11435 and NGC 1181 = PGC 11427 is certain. For some reason Howe could not find these galaxies near Leavenworth's position but did find NGC 1150 and 1151 about 5 min of RA west of Leavenworth's positions and assumed they were NGC 1180 and 1181. Dreyer even added the comment "are they perhaps = 1150 and 1151?". But these are two different pairs, roughly where Leavenworth placed them. Because of Howe's error, RNGC claims NGC 1150 is identical to NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 is identical to NGC 1181.
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03 01 42.8 -15 03 09; Eri
V = 15.4; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 100°
17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.4'x0.2', requires averted. I was only able to detect the brighter central region and missed the extensions. NGC 1181 is the slightly fainter of a close (physical) pair with NGC 1180 2.4' NE. Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1181 = LM 1-83 (along with NGC 1180 = I-82) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Leavenworth's generally poor positions are close enough here so the identification NGC 1180 = PGC 11435 and NGC 1181 = PGC 11427 is certain. For some reason Howe could not find these galaxies near Leavenworth's position but did find NGC 1150 and 1151 about 5 min of RA west of Leavenworth's positions and assumed they were NGC 1180 and 1181. Dreyer even added the comment "are they perhaps = 1150 and 1151?" But these are two different pairs, roughly where Leavenworth placed them. Because of Howe's error, RNGC claims NGC 1150 is identical to NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 is identical to NGC 1181.
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03 03 28.4 -09 40 13; Eri
V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 115°
17.5" (1/28/00): very faint, small, round, slightly
elongated NW-SE, 25"x20" diameter, low surface brightness. A mag 12 star lies 2.5' SW and a mag 13
star is 1' E. Located 29' NE of
mag 5.8
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1182 = LM 1-84 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.5, 0.7'x0.3', E 120°, *10 P 240° [SW], dist 3.0'." There is nothing at his rough position
(RA to the nearest min of time), but 1 min of RA east is
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03 04 46.1 +42 22 08; Per
= *, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1183 = Big. 15, along with NGC 1173, 1176 and 1178, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star. Once corrected, his position for NGC 1183 corresponds with a mag 14 star 1.7' ENE of NGC 1177. The positions for NGC 1176 and 1178 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost. See Corwin's notes.
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03 16 45.4 +80 47 36; Cep
V = 12.4; Size 2.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 168°
17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus. This is a pretty edge-on system with a bulging core and tapering extensions.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1184 = H. II-704 on 16 Sep
1787 (sweep 757) . He recorded "faint, pretty large, much elongated from
np to sf, little brighter middle."
This galaxy is the third closest galaxy to the north celestial pole
discovered by Herschel in 2000 coordinates (after
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NGC 1185 = MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488
03 02 59.4 -09 07 55; Eri
V = 14.8; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 30°
17.5" (1/28/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 15 star is close SSE [56" from center].
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1185 = LM 2-353 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported
"mag 15.7, 0.8' dia, pE 15°.".
His position is just 8 tsec west of
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NGC 1186 = NGC 1174 = UGC 2521 = MCG +07-07-021 = CGCG 540-034 = PGC 11617
03 05 30.7 +42 50 05; Per
V = 11.4; Size 3.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 122°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE. A mag 13 star, superimposed just southwest of the center, detracts from viewing.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1186 = H. IV-43 = h281 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and reported "a pretty S star with a very F nebulosity to the nf side, of very little extent." On 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621), he noted "a pretty B star with two faint branches." John Herschel also described it on 23 Dec 1831 (sweep 389) as "a star 14m with some kind of faint nebulous appendage." Herschel placed this galaxy in his class IV, which refers to objects that appeared to be planetary nebulae.
R.J. Mitchell and Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's observing assistants, both failed to find this galaxy and d'Arrest tried to follow up in 1863 but was also unsuccessful. Stephan made an observation on 5 Dec 1877. Bigourdan also observed and suggested it was a "variable nebula", because of the mixed results. Rudolph Spitaler took a look on 12 Mar 1891 with the 27-inch Vienna refractor. His description reads, "elongated NW-SE, but its boundaries are not so regularly shaped it could be described as elliptical. On its south preceding side is a mag 11 star. In the southeast side the nebula is limited by two faint stars, but at times the edge of the nebula seems to stretch beyond these. The brightest part is northeast of the former star. I estimate the length to be 2'."
Lewis Swift found this galaxy and superimposed star on 31 Aug 1883 and assumed it was new. His RA for Sw. 4-11 (later NGC 1174) was 1 minute of RA too small. Finally, it was checked for variability on photographs taken with the Mt Wilson 60-inch in 1914 and 1917, with no change found.
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03 02 37.4 -22 52 03; Eri
V = 10.8; Size 5.5'x4.1'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 130°
48" (10/27/19): at 375x; very bright, very large spiral
with a bright elongated core oriented WNW-ESE. The inner portion of the halo was clearly blotchy. A brighter arc or patch was just SE of
the core and another brighter arc as close E and NE of the core. Finally, a subtle brighter patch was NW
of the core. These brighter spiral
segments formed a pseudo-ring oriented WNW-ESE. The outer halo was diffuse and extended ~4.5'x3.25',
reaching a mag 15.9 star 1.9' N of center. Another 16th mag star was in the outer halo on the NE side.
Located 4.6' SE of mag 8.8
17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, fairly large,
4'x3' NW-SE. Elongated in the
direction of mag 8.8
8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, diffuse. Located 4.7' SE of a mag 9 star.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1187 = H. III-245 = h2504 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "vF, cL, iE, resolvable, unequally bright." John Herschel described the galaxy from the Cape as "bright; very large; pretty much elongated; very gradually brighter to the middle; 3.5' long, 2.5' broad; has in or near the middle a star 16 mag." E.E. Barnard observed the nebula on 23 Aug 1883 and was surprised Herschel called it "vF", as it was not difficult in his 5-inch refractor.
NGC 1187 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "cF, small, 2-branch spiral, 2 stars south preceding." The galaxy was later photographed by Harold Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11 with the 30" Reynolds reflector and described as a "spiral with curious faint extensions". Photographs taken in 1919-20 with the new 30" mirror showed "spiral with many braches in which are a great many almost stellar condensations; pF stellar nucleus through which is a vF line in p.a. 115° [central bar], giving the central portion a Phi type appearance ([barred ring]."
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03 03 43.4 -15 29 07; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 170°
17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, elongated 3:1 N-S. NGC 1188 is only 8' N of
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1188 = LM 1-89 on 2 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. This is the first in a group of five
galaxies (NGCs 1189, 1190, 1191 and 1192) discovered that night. Although Leavenworth only gave a rough
RA for these objects, Herbert Howe measured accurate individual RA's in 1899-00
(repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
In this case, Howe's corrected RA is a good match with
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03 03 24.3 -15 37 23; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.8
17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, fairly small, unusually low even surface brightness. First in the HCG 22 quintet with brightest member NGC 1199 4' ENE. NGC 1189 lies 2.3' SSE. NGC 1189 is also a member of the larger NGC 1209 Group at z ~.009.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1189 = LM 1-90 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1190, 1191 and 1192) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section. This is the first of 5 NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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03 03 26.2 -15 39 44; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 95°
17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, fairly small,
elongated 2:1 E-W, very low surface brightness, requires averted vision. Member of the HCG 22 quintet with NGC
1199 4' NE, NGC 1189 2.3' NNW, NGC 1191 1.8' SE and
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1190 = LM 1-91 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1191 and 1192) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Herbert Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section. This is the second of five NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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NGC 1191 = HCG 22D = MCG -03-08-064 = PGC 11514
03 03 30.9 -15 41 08; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 60°
17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 14 star is 1.5' S. Member of the the HCG 22 quintet with NGC 1192 1.0' ENE, NGC 1190 1.8' NW and NGC 1199 4' NNE. NGC 1191 and 1192 have 3.5 times higher redshift than the other HCG 22 members, so lie in the background at a similar redsift as NGC 1180 and 1181.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1191 = LM 1-91 on 2 Dec 1885 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1190 and 1192) with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Herbert Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section. This is the third of five NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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NGC 1192 = HCG 22E = MCG -03-08-065 = PGC 11519
03 03 34.6 -15 40 45; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 102°
17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint and small, round. In a tight group (HCG 22) with NGC 1191 1' WSW, NGC 1190 2.3' NW and NGC 1199 4' N. This galaxy and NGC 1191 have 3x higher redshift than the other HCG 22 members so lie in the background at a similar redsift as NGC 1180 and 1181.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1192 = LM 1-91 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1190 and 1191) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's, except for NGC 1192. But assuming this object is east of NGC 1191 and 1' N, the identification is certain.
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03 05 56 +44 23 00; Per
Size 2'
17.5" (10/24/87): this faint open cluster consists of an elongated glow with five faint stars mag 14-15 superimposed and a mag 11 star at the west edge. Located 4' ESE of a wide pair of bright stars (7.7/9.5 at 1.1'). This is a fairly old open cluster with age ~ 4.2 billion years.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1193 = H. II-608 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621) and recorded "F, cL, easily resolvable, some of the stars visible." His position is accurate.
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03 03 49.1 -01 06 13; Cet
V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 140°
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE,
broad concentration.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1194 = St. 13-22 on 3 Nov 1877 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His micrometric position (reduced on 23 Nov 1883 and published in his 13th discovery list) is accurate.
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03 03 32.8 -12 02 03; Eri
V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; nearly fairly faint, small,
round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is
45" SE. In a quartet with NGC
1196 2.3' SSE, along with
17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2
N-S, even surface brightness. A
mag 13 star is 45" SE of center.
First of four in the
J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1195 while making an
observation of the
Pietro Baracchi independently discovered NGC 1195 on 7 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and sketched the field, along with NGC 1196, NGC 1200 and IC 285 (new discovery).
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NGC 1196 = MCG -02-08-042B = Holm 65a = PGC 11522
03 03 35.2 -12 04 34; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, small bright nucleus, ~30"x20". A low surface brightness halo increases the size with averted to ~40" in diameter. Occasionally it brightened along the spine of the major axis like a bar. In a group (USGC S110) with several NGCs and ICs, including NGC 1195 2.3' NNW.
17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, well-defined bright core. A mag 13 star is 1.7' N and a mag 12 star is 3' SSE. Second of four in the NGC 1200 compact group with NGC 1195 2.2' N.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1196 = h2505 on 8 Jan 1877 while observing the field of NGC 1200. He logged it on two consecutive nights as "vF" and "the S.p. of two [with NGC 1200]", but missed nearby NGC 1195.
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03 06 12 +44 04; Per
= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1197 = Sw. 2-27 on 12 Sep 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "pF, cE, pS, sev vF stars nr". His position falls on a blank piece of sky between two mag 13.1 and 14.2 stars. There are also a number of faint double stars in the vicinity on the DSS that he might have mistaken for a nebulous object. In any case, this number is currently lost or nonexistent.
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03 06 13.3 +41 50 56; Per
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 120°
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, diffuse round
halo, stellar nucleus about 14th magnitude. Located 7' N of mag 8.8
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1198 = St. 11-7 on 1 Dec 1875
and noted a rough position 1.5' to the NE. His published position (list 11, #7) was made on 6 Dec 1880
with description "core of 11th magnitude, slightly nebulous." His position was accurate although MCG
missed identifying
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NGC 1199 = HCG 22A = MCG -03-08-067 = LGG 081-002 = PGC 11527
03 03 38.4 -15 36 50; Eri
V = 11.4; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 48°
17.5" (10/13/90): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, broadly concentrated halo, small bright core. A mag 11 star is 2.8' NE. An extremely faint mag 15 star or possibly an anonymous galaxy is 2' N.
NGC 1199 is the brightest in the HCG 22 quintet with extremely faint NGC 1190 4.1' SW, NGC 1191 4.6' SSW, NGC 1189 3.4' W and NGC 1192 4.0' S. NGC 1191 and 1192 lie in the background, though, at 3.5x the redshift. NGC 1199, along with NGC 1209, are the brightest members of a much larger group (LGG 81) that also includes NGCs 1145, 1163, 1188 and IC 276 at z ~.009.
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, diffuse halo surrounded by a fairly bright stellar nucleus.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1199 = H. II-503 = h282 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "pB, S, iF, mbM." Both William and John Herschel's declination was ~ 1' too far north. Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.
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NGC 1200 = MCG -02-08-043 = PGC 11545
03 03 54.6 -11 59 30; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 2.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 85°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated but orientation difficult to pin down. The brighter central region is strongly concentrated with a very small brighter nucleus. The outer 1' halo has a very low surface brightness and drops off imperceptibly into the background sky. A mag 15.4 star is at the south edge of the halo. Brightest in a quartet with IC 285 3' SE and brightest in the larger USGC S110 galaxy group (8 members).
17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, halo slightly elongated N-S. There is an extremely faint star or possible companion at the south edge. Third of four and brightest in a compact quartet with NGC 1195 and 1196.
NGC 1200 forms a close pair with IC 285 3.2' ESE. The IC companion was logged as "very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, very low even surface brightness."
William Herschel discovered NGC 1200 = H. II-475 = h2506 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and noted "pF, pL, irr F, bM." On 22 Nov 1835 (sweep 648) John Herschel described it from the Cape of Good Hope as "pB, L, R, 80". The N.f. of two, distance about 7.5'; position 45 degrees." His mean position from 2 measures is accurate.
While observing NGC 1200 on 7 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope, Pietro Baracchi discovered nearby IC 285 and made an independent discovery of NGC 1195 (found earlier by Dreyer).
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03 04 08.0 -26 04 12; For
V = 10.7; Size 3.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 7°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately large,
elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.6'x0.8', well concentrated. Dominated by a bright, very small round core and an almost
stellar nucleus. Forms the
southern vertex of an acute triangle with a mag 12 star off the NNW side 2.9'
from center and a mag 10.5 star 3.8' NE of center. In a group (LGG 086) with
14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 N-S, ~1.8'x0.8'. Sharply concentrated with a small intensely bright core that dominates the appearance and increases to a sharp stellar peak. In a small group (LGG 086) with NGC 1255 and 1302.
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, small bright core. A mag 11 star is 4' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1201 = H. I-109 = h283 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 466) and logged "cB; mbM; iR; resolvable." On a later sweep he wrote, "cB, pS, lE in the direction of the meridian, mbM, resolvable, 1.5' long." Finally on sweep (593) he recorded "pB, pS, bM, lE." On 14 Oct 1830 (sweep 306), John Herwschel remarked "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" [diameter]." His position was just off the north end of the galaxy.
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03 05 02.5 -06 29 30; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness. A pair of mag 14/15 star (32" separation) lie 1' SE. Located 4' SW of a 20" pair of mag 10.5/11.5 stars and 4.8' SSW of a mag 10.3 star.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1202 = LM 2-354 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.5, 0.3' dia, wide double star, position 45° (NE) at 4' distance. His position is ~30 tsec of RA east of
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03 05 14.1 -14 22 53; Eri
V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (10/13/90): very faint, very small, round. A very close contact pair
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1203 = LM 1-85 on 1 Jan
1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is a good match
with
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03 04 40.0 -12 20 29; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 69°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; very unusual appearance with a fairly bright mag 12.5 star attached on the south edge with the galaxy elongated 2:1 or 5:2 WSW-ENE and extending ~0.9'x0.4'. A mag 14.5 star is 45" SW (outside the glow) and a mag 15.3 star is just 15" SE of the brighter star. Member of the NGC 1200 group (USGC S110).
17.5" (11/17/01): interesting object as it appears as a diffuse glow, elongated ENE-WSW with three stars near including a mag 11 star attached at the south edge.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1204 = LM 1-86 on 26 Dec 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.5, E 45°, B* and sev F stars inv in neb, resolvable." His position is a good match with MCG -02-08-045 = PGC 11583 and the description is appropriate for this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and mentions "I noticed simply a small triangle of stars of mags 11, 12, and 13. The brightest star seemed to be enveloped in an extremely faint mantle of nebulous matter."
Recently (27 Mar 2015), I found that William Herschel observed NGC 1204 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478), though he only logged "a deception", and Caroline didn't assign it a general (internal) discovery number or H-designation. His offset in position from #1193 = NGC 1200 (the previous object in the sweep), places the "deception" just 1.2' south of NGC 1204, based on Corwin's reduction (Steinicke also confirms this observation). Based on my visual notes, I can see why WH found the appearance ambiguous.
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03 03 28.4 -09 40 13; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1182.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1205 = LM 1-87 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 14.0, 0.7'x0.3', E 25°, *9.5 in PA 240° at 3.0' dist." There is nothing at his position but 2 min of RA west is PGC 11511 and Stone's description applies (except his PA should read 125°). This was Stone's second observation of this galaxy. His position for I-84 = NGC 1182 was 1.0 min of west too far west, but the descriptions are virtually the same. Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and report "having examined the locality very carefully on two fine nights I judge the objects to be identical." Based on this this observation, Dreyer states in the IC 2 Notes that "1205 is equal to 1182". Either number could be the primary designation as the earlier observation is not known. See Corwin's notes.
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03 06 09.7 -08 50 00; Eri
V = 14.9; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2
18" (1/1/08): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Visible ~80% of the time using averted vision as a very low surface brightness knot with no structure. Located 6.5' N of a mag 10.5 star.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1206 = LM 2-355 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged
"mag 15.6, 0.2' dia, vlE 180°."
His position matches
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03 08 15.5 +38 22 56; Per
V = 12.6; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 123°
24" (2/7/16): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.4'.
A mag 14.5-15 star is superimposed on the northwest side.
17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo. A mag 15 star is attached at northwest end.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1207 = H. III-578 = h284 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "vF, vS." In Oct 1828 (sweep 188) John Herschel wrote, "F; vS; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" diameter." The superimposed star was mentioned at Birr Castle: "I am not sure whether it is a star or a nucleus in the north-preceding end."
According to Gary Kronk, Lewis Swift discovered it again in October 1884, though didn't publish it in one of his twelve lists.
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03 06 11.9 -09 32 27; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 75°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large,
oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, contains a very bright elongated core and fainter halo,
~1.1'x0.5'.
17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 E-W,
broadly concentrated halo, much fainter extensions. First and brightest in a group with
William Herschel discovered NGC 1208 = H. II-285 = h285 = h2507 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and logged "pF, S, lE, south of a pB triangle, about 1/2' in length." On 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) he recorded "F, S, little brighter middle, E not far from the parallel; a little from sp to nf." John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope and 7 observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 1209 = MCG -03-08-073 = LGG 081-003 = PGC 11638
03 06 03.0 -15 36 41; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 85°
17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, fairly small,,
elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.4'x0.7'.
Increases to a bright, rounder core and stellar nucleus.
NGC 1209 is the brightest in a group (LGG 81), along with NGC 1199, that includes NGCs 1145, 1163, 1188, 1189, 1190 and IC 276. NGC 1209 is located 40' following HCG 22, whose brightest member is NGC 1199.
13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, very small bright core. Appears slightly fainter than NGC 1199 40' W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1209 = H. II-504 = h286 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "pB, S, lE, mbM. The brightness also extended. " John Herscel reported on 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), "vB; E; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" l; 20" br."
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03 06 45.3 -25 42 59; For
V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 121°
17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak but even concentration to a brighter core. A mag 13 star lies 1.1' NNW of center. Located 40' NE of NGC 1201.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1210 = LM 1-88 on 13 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.0, vS, irregularly round, E 340°?, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus". There is nothing at his rough RA (nearest minute) and the Knox-Shaw reported it was "Not shown" on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory in 1921-22. But 1 minute of time east is ESO 480-031 = PGC 11666 and this galaxy is identified as NGC 1210 in the RNGC and PGC. MCG lists the NGC designation as uncertain.
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03 06 52.4 -00 47 40; Cet
V = 12.5; Size 2.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30°
17.5" (1/7/89): moderately bright, fairly small, very faint outer halo, sharp concentration, round. Two mag 13 stars lie 2.1' ESE and 2.2' ENE oriented N-S with a separation of 1.1'.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 1211 = Sf. 102 on 31 Oct 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. Édouard Stephan made an observation on 29 Nov 1875 (perhaps aware of Safford's discovery?). He listed it as new in his 11th list (#8) with an accurate position from on 27 Nov 1880. Stephan was credited with the discovery in the NGC, as Safford's discovery wasn't published until 1887, too late to be included in the NGC.
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03 09 42.2 +40 53 35; Per
V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.5'; PA = 22°
24" (12/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly
elongated, 20"x15", faint stellar nucleus. Located 18' ESE of Algol and 2.7' SW of a mag 8.7 star
within AGC 426.
18" (11/22/03): faint, small, round, 25" diameter,
even surface brightness. Forms the
SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 8.7
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1212 = Sw. 1-5 on 18 Oct 1884
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "S; R;
vvF. Right angled with 2
stars. In field with
Algol". Swift's position is
poor, 40 seconds of RA west of
RNGC and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar)
misidentify
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NGC 1213 = IC 1881 = UGC 2557 = MCG +06-07-045 = CGCG 524-058 = PGC 11789
03 09 17.3 +38 38 59; Per
V = 14.5; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 15.4; PA = 60°
24" (2/7/16): faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~SW-NE, 24"x18", low surface brightness, fades into background. The image is confused as there are two very faint stars involved as well as two additional stars off the north side. Located in a rich star field 50' ESE of mag 3.4 Rho Per. NGC 1207 is 20' SW.
17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint, fairly small, slightly elongated. This galaxy has an extremely low surface brightness with a very ill-defined outline! Several faint stars are near or involved including a mag 14 star close off the SW edge and a pair of mag 15.5 stars at the north end.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1213 = Sw. 1-6 on 14 Oct 1884
with his 16" refractor and recorded "vvF; lE; v diff; F* close
north." His position is 0.4
min of RA west of
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NGC 1214 = HCG 23A = MCG -02-08-051 = Holm 66a = PGC 11675
03 06 55.9 -09 32 38; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; between fairly faint and
moderately bright, fairly high surface brightness edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.1'x0.3',
small bright core. In a small
group (
48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.35', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Brightest in the HCG 23 quintet with NGC 1215 4' SE. A mag 11 star is 2.7' due north. The seeing and transparency was subpar during the observation of the group.
17.5" (10/20/90): faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2.7' N. FIrst of four in the field with NGC 1215 4' SE and NGC 1208 11' W. Brightest in HCG 23.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1214 = LM 1-94 = Sw. 5-49, along with NGC 1215 and 1216, in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Stone reported, "mag 14.0, 0.7'x0.2', E 60°." He added a note, "48 seconds f[ollowing] G.C. 647 [NGC 1208] same declination, stellar N[ucleus] in cen of vF neb; 1st of 3 [with NGC 1215 and 1216]; *10, P 15° Delta [separation] 3'." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct.
Lewis Swift also found this galaxy on 21 Oct 1886. He described it as "F; pS; iR; 647 [= NGC 1208] nr; 1st of 2 [with NGC 1215]." Frank Muller suggested the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. As the Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, the discovery credit goes to Stone.
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NGC 1215 = HCG 23B = MCG -02-08-055 = Holm 66b = PGC 11687
03 07 09.4 -09 35 32; Eri
V = 14.1; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 15°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~0.8'x0.6', small brighter core region that brightens towards the center. low surface brightness halo. Sandwiched between edge-ons NGC 1214 4.5' NW and NGC 1216 2.5' ESE.
48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; fairly bright, fairly
large, sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core SSW-NNE that
increases to a stellar nucleus. Surrounded by a fairly large, low surface
brightness oval halo ~1.2'x0.9'.
Forms a close pair with
17.5" (10/20/90): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, well defined small bright core, faint extensions. Member of the NGC 1208 group and HCG 23 with NGC 1214 4' NW and NGC 1216 2' SE.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1215 = LM 1-95 = Sw. 5-50, along with NGC 1214 and 1216, in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Stone reported, "mag 15.5, 0.4', dif." He added the note, "2nd of 3 [with NGC 1214 and 1216]." His declination is 2' too far south, incorrectly placing NGC 1215 1' south of NGC 1216, instead of 1' N.
Lewis Swift also found this galaxy on 21 Oct 1886. He described it as "eF; vS; R; 647 [= NGC 1208] nr; 2nd of 2 [with NGC 1214]." Frank Muller noted the prior discovery in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887), though he assumed Swift found NGC 1216. The Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, so Stone made the earlier discovery.
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NGC 1216 = HCG 23C = MCG -02-08-056 = PGC 11693
03 07 18.4 -09 36 44; Eri
V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 65°
24" (12/6/18): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, 4:1 or 5:1 WSW-ENE, ~36"x8", surprisingly high surface brightness. The listed V magnitude of 14.8 seems too faint based on its appearance. Similar in surface brightness to NGC 1214.
48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, ~40"x8", well concentrated with a very bright, high surface brightness core that increases to a stellar nucleus. The extensions are quite thin. NGC 1215 lies 2.5' NW.
17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, extremely small, stellar nucleus or faint star superimposed, extremely faint and very small extensions SW-NE. Member of HCG 23 with NGC 1215 2' NW.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1216 = LM 1-96 in 1886, along with NGC 1214 and 1215, with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He recorded "mag 14.5, 0.2' dia, stellar ncl, 3rd of 3" and the rough position matches MCG -02-08-056 = PGC 11693. This galaxy was missed by Lewis Swift, though he found nearby NGC 1214 and 1215.
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03 06 06.0 -39 02 11; For
V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 50°
18" (1/17/09): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, sharply concentrated with a small brighter core and much fainter halo. A 24" pair of mag 9/12 stars located 7' SE is lined up with the galaxy. A mag 13 star lies 1.5' N. A faint companion galaxy 0.9' N (MCG -07-07-004) was not seen, probably because of the low elevation.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1217 = h2508 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "not vF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20". Has a *11m 2' N. His position (h2508) and description is accurate (the star is 1.6' N).
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03 08 26.3 +04 06 38; Cet
V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 155°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core. Located 92' E of Alpha Ceti.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1218 = Sw. 4-12 on 6 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 1.4' too far west. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1896 at Strasbourg (published in 1907).
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03 08 28.0 +02 06 30; Cet
V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, moderately large, almost round, weak concentration.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1219 = m 87 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48". He recorded an accurate position and description "F, pL, R."
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03 11 41 +53 20 54; Per
Size 2'
17.5" (12/28/94): very compact group of about a dozen faint stars mag 13.5-15 in a small 1.5' wedge-shaped clump. There is a very tight string of three strings at the NE end and the brightest mag 13 star is at the south end. Does not appear fully resolved due to density and background haze. This is a young cluster(60 million years old) at a distance of ~5900 light years in the Perseus Arm.
8" (11/28/81) : faint open cluster, small, six faint stars are visible over unresolved haze.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1220 = h287 on 28 Nov 1831 (sweep 386), recording "a vS, close-packed group of 8 or 10 stars 14...15 mag in a space of 30" diam, so as easily to be taken for a pB nebula." His position and description matches this cluster.
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03 08 15.5 -04 15 35; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 160°
17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is 1.2' SE. FIrst of three with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1221 = LM 2-356 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 15.5, 0.2'x0.1', E 170°, * in PA 175° (south)." His position is 20 sec of RA east of
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03 08 56.9 -02 57 18; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 170°
17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1222 = St. 13-23 on 30 Nov 1883. His published position (list 13, #23) was reduced a few days later (5 Dec 1883).
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NGC 1223 = MCG -01-09-003 = PGC 11742
03 08 19.9 -04 08 18; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.1
17.5" (1/7/89): second and brightest of a trio with NGC 1221 8' SSW and NGC 1225 7' E. Faint, small, round, bright core. The identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 are reversed in the RNGC and U2000.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1223 = LM 2-357 (along
with NGC 1225 = II-358) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander
McCormick Observatory in 1886, recording "mag 15.0, 0.3' dia, R, gradually
brighter middle to a nucleus".
His position is 45 sec of RA following
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03 11 13.6 +41 21 49; Per
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.1
24" (12/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter (central region of galaxy), gradually increases to a stellar peak. A mag 13.5 pair [~12" separation?] is just 1.5' ENE. A mag 9.8 star lies 2.2' SSW and a mag 10.4 star is 3.0' NNW. Located 42' NW of Algol in AGC 426.
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round, small brighter core. Member of AGC 426.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1224 = Sw. 2-28 on 20 Aug 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position matches
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NGC 1225 = MCG -01-09-004 = PGC 11766
03 08 47.2 -04 06 05; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1
17.5" (1/7/89): third of three with NGC 1221 and NGC 1223. Very faint, very small, round, small bright core. Located 7' E of NGC 1223. The identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 are reversed in the RNGC.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1225 = LM 2-358 (along
with NGC 1223 = II-357) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander
McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, R". His position is 30 sec of RA following
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03 11 05.4 +35 23 12; Per
V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 95°
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; moderately bright, round,
45" diameter, small bright core.
Brightest of a trio with
UGC 2579 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 30" length, broad concentration with a slightly brighter core.
17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1227 4' SSE.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1226 = St. 10-16, along with NGC 1227, on 29 Nov 1875. His published position (list 10, #16) was made 4 years later on 6 Dec 1879. The original discovery was apparently made by Heinrich d'Arrest on 17 Sep 1865, but due to a transcription error his position was 1-hour of RA too small and falls on a blank piece of sky. See NGC 832.
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NGC 1227 = UGC 2577 = CGCG 524-062 = CGCG 525-003 = PGC 11880
03 11 07.8 +35 19 29; Per
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.0
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very small brighter nucleus (possibly a stellar peak). Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10 stars 4.5' WSW and 4.5' SE. Fainter of pair with NGC 1226 4' N.
17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round. Forms a pair with NGC 1226 4' NNW.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1227 = St. 10-17, along with NGC 1227, on 29 Nov 1875. His single position on that date matched NGC 1226, though he noted there were two nebulae. His published position (list 10, #17) was made on 10 Jan 1880.
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03 08 11.7 -22 55 23; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 78°
17.5" (11/10/96): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE,
0.8'x0.6'. A mag 13 star is
50" S. In a group with NGC
1229 2.2' S.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1228 = LM 2-359 (along
with
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NGC 1229 = Arp 332 NED1 = VV 337b = UGCA 53 = ESO 480-033 =
03 08 11.0 -22 57 37; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 81°
17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter. Located 2.2' S of brighter NGC 1228 in a group with NGC 1230 1.9' SE and IC 1892. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.4' N on a line to NGC 1228.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1229 = LM 2-359, along
with NGC 1228 = II-359, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander
McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 16.0, 0.1', R, gradually brighter in
the middle, 2nd of 2". There
is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west is
******************************
NGC 1230 = Arp 332 NED2 = ESO 480-034 = MCG -04-08-027 = PGC 11743
03 08 16.4 -22 59 03; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 109°
17.5" (11/10/96): faintest in a group with NGC 1228, NGC 1229 and IC 1892. Only glimpsed momentarily using Vicker's CCD Atlas. Appears extremely faint and small, 10" diameter with possible extensions to 20". Located 3.8' SSE of NGC 1228 and 1.9' SE of NGC 1230. IC 1892 lies 5' further SE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1230 = LM 2-361, along with NGC 1228 and NGC 1229, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Leavenworth made no estimate of size or brightness, only the comment "*??". There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west and 2' N is ESO 480-033 = PGC 11734. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1231 = MCG -03-08-074 = PGC 11658
03 06 29.3 -15 34 09; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter. A mag 15 star is just off the SSW edge of the halo, 30" from the center. Located 6.8' NE of NGC 1209. Due to a poor position by Leavenworth, this galaxy is classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1231 = LM 1-97 on 2 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory,
recording "mag 16.0, pL, E like a fan." There is nothing at his rough position (given to an nearest
min of RA and arcmin of Dec). But
exactly 4 min of RA west is
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03 09 45.1 -20 34 46; Eri
V = 9.9; Size 7.4'x6.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 108°
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): NGC 1232 is a face-on multi-arm knotty Sc-type. At 303x it appeared very bright, very large, roundish, at least 6' diameter. It was sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that contained a brighter central bar-like nuclear region. Spiral structure was evident in the large halo, but more subtle than I expected as several segments were disconnected. The most prominent was a knotty arm on the north side. It emerged near the northwest end of the core and shot linearly (2' length) towards the northeast in the direction of a mag 14 star 2.5' NE of center.
Another spiral arm extended east and west perhaps 1.5' length, just south of the central region. The arm faded out at its west end but after a short break, a very faint elongated knot, ~14"x8", was visible 1.7' WSW of center. NED includes multiple designations NGC 1232:[HK83] 442, [HK83] 445, [HK83] 450 and more from Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies". The arm dimmed again but could just be traced shooting straight N-S in the northwest end of the halo. Another short, linear segment of a arm (containing [HK83] 110) was just visible close east of the core, 1.1' ENE of center.
17.5" (10/8/88): bright, large, slightly elongated,
bright core, very large faint halo.
Located 8' WSW of mag 8.6
13.1" (1/18/85): large, large bright core, substellar nucleus, very diffuse outer halo. An arm is suspected attached at the west end and winding towards the east on the north side of the core.
8" (10/31/81): faint, diffuse, low surface brightness.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1232 = H. II-258 = h2509 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303). He recored "extremely faint, little brighter middle, 7 or 8' dia." On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he logged "faint, considerably large, bright middle, irregular figure, 5 or 6' diam. The nebulosity is unequal, seeming to be two or three clouds, or nebulosities joined together."
John Herschel made 3 observations from South Africa. His most detailed observation from 13 Nov 1835 (sweep 642) reads: "B; vL; R; resolvable; 3' (dia), first very grad then pretty suddenly brighter in the middle. With the left eye I see it mottled. (N.B. This is no doubt a distant globular cluster)."
Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory in
1921-22, NGC 1232 was described as "pB, 7'x7', open spiral, B stellar
nucleus, many branches with almost stellar condensations."
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03 12 33.1 +39 19 07; Per
V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 27°
17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NNW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4', broadly concentrated, faint extensions. A mag 13.5 star is off the NE end. Member of AGC 426 (south of main stream).
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1233 = St. 3-20 on 10 Nov 1871. His rough position was 7' too far ESE. His published micrometric position (list 3, #20) was made a 1 month later on 10 Dec 1871. He followed up with another observation on 30 Nov 1877.
Harold Corwin suggests that Swift's V-51 = NGC 1235 might be a duplicate observation with a 24' error in declination.
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03 09 39.2 -07 50 47; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 141°
17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, small, round, 0.6'
diameter, low even surface brightness.
Requires averted vision but once identified I could almost hold it
continuously with concentration.
Based on the galaxy's size and elongation, I probably viewed the
brighter core only. Located 4' SW
of mag 9.5
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1234 = LM 2-362 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording
"mag 16.2, 0.6' dia, irregularly round, 1 or eF stars inv, *9m precedes 30
sec." There is nothing at his
position but 40 sec of RA due west is
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03 12 48 +38 56; Per
= ***, JS. =NGC 1233?, HC
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1235 = Sw. 5-51 on 21 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. There are no galaxies near his
position. The RNGC identifies NGC
1235 as a triple star, situated about 1.5' N of Swift's position. But these stars appear too bright and
too easily resolved to be confused with a faint nebulous object by Swift. Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1235
may be a duplicate of NGC 1233, which is located due north. If this identification is correct,
Swift made a 24' error in declination (too far south). Except for
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03 11 28.0 +10 48 30; Ari
V = 14.7; Size 0.5'x0.3'; PA = 30°
18" (12/10/07): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.2', low surface brightness, no concentration in fairly poor seeing.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1236 = m 88 on 5 Oct 1864 with
Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta, recording "eF, vS, R". His position is just off the south side
of
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03 10 08.9 -08 41 32; Eri
V = 14.5/14.5; Size 13"
24" (12/28/13): this 13" pair of evenly matched
mag 14-15 stars was easily resolved at 225x. Located 21' NW of the
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1237 = LM 2-363 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting "mag 13.0, 0.4' diameter, E 170°, double star?" Dreyer included the description as a possible double star and Corwin confirms it *is* a double star 36 tsec west and 1' south of Muller's position. The separation is 14" with a PA 152°.
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03 10 52.7 -10 44 53; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 110°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, round, very
small bright core. Contains a
faint stellar nucleus or possibly a faint star is superimposed. Forms the west vertex of an obtuse
isosceles triangle with a mag 13 star 2.4' SE and a mag 14 star 2.3' NNE of
center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1238 = Sw. 5-52 on 1 Nov 1886
with his 16" refractor, recording "vF; pS; R; sp of [
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03 10 53.7 -02 33 11; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 70°
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1239 = H. III-262 = h288 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and recorded "Suspected, stellar, 240x verified it with difficulty." WH's position was poor but John Herschel was only able to correct the declination, as the nebula was "scarcely seen through thick haze" (sweep 96). So, the listed RA is roughly 30 sec too far east in the NGC. Still there are no other nearby candidates and the identification NGC 1239 = PGC 11869 is not in question.
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03 13 26.7 +30 30 26; Ari
= **, Corwin.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1240 = H. III-164 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). He described it as "suspected, 240 left a doubt; extremely faint and very small, most probably two close stars; between two stars." There is nothing near his position and Bigourdan was unsuccessful (twice) in trying to recover this object. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, notes "*13.5 in Dreyer's place". Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1240 is a double star (11" separation) about 8' SE of Herschel's position. This pair is also on a line between two other stars so matches Herschel's position.
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NGC 1241 = Arp 304 NED1 = VV 334a = MCG -02-09-011 = Holm 68a = PGC 11887
03 11 14.7 -08 55 20; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 145°
24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, moderately large, oval
2:1 NW-SE, 2'x1', contains a large bright core that increases towards the
center. There was a hint of arm
structure in the outer halo. Forms
a pair with
13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, round, bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo. Forms a close pair with fainter NGC 1242 1.6' NE. Located 3.0' due south of mag 9.0 SAO 130329.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1241 = H. II-286 = h289 = h2510 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "faint, pretty large, round, little brighter middle, south of a small star." He made a second observation on 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) and also discovered NGC 1242 (see that number). Perhaps the extra light provided by the front view (no secondary) made the difference.
John Herschel observed NGC 1241 at Slough, England, calling
it "extremely faint" and "pretty bright" on two
sweeps. He made a later
observation at the Cape of Good Hope and logged "faint, pretty much
extended, 50", the preceding of two [with
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NGC 1242 = Arp 304 NED2 = VV 334b = Holm 68c = MCG -02-09-012 = PGC 11892
03 11 19.2 -08 54 07; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130°
24" (12/28/13): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~35"x21", weak concentration. Forms a pair (Arp 304 = VV 334) with brighter NGC 1241 1.7' SE. A bright mag 9.3 star lies 2' NW.
13.1" (12/7/85): very faint, small, round, small bright
core, stellar nucleus, can hold with averted vision. Forms a close pair with much brighter NGC 1241 1.6' SW. Located 2.1' SE of mag 9.0
William Herschel discovered NGC 1242 = H. III-591 on 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 1241], that of which the place is taken [NGC 1241] is F, pL, very gradually very much brighter in the middle, R. The other [NGC 1242] is about 1' nf, eF, stellar. A 3rd suspected sf the 1st, still fainter than the 2nd; the I did not see it well enough to verify it, and it may be a deception."
On 7 Dec 1850, Lord Rosse assistant Bindon Stoney assumed it was a new discovery (labeled as "Beta" in his sketch). Dreyer later noticed the equivalence with III-591 when he examined the field on 6 Nov 1877 as the observing assistant at Birr Castle.
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03 11 25.4 -08 56 43; Eri
= **, Corwin.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1243 = h291 = h2511 on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 315). From Slough he recorded "eF, vS" and from the Cape "eF; R; the following of two; pos from the other [NGC 1241] = 120° (ESE)". At his position a faint double star and the position angle matches. Interestingly Herschel never observed NGC 1242, which is close NE of NGC 1241. At Birr Castle, NGC 1241 was observed several times and assumed to be a "nova", but on 6 Nov 1877 Dreyer (the observing assistant at the time) claimed he saw all three objects in the field. His micrometric offset for h291 = h2511, points exactly to this double star again! See Corwin's notes for the complete story.
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03 06 31.2 -66 46 33; Hor
V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 2°
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x
appeared as a moderately bright, fairly large edge-on N-S, ~2.0'x0.4'. Exhibits only a broad, weak
concentration to a slightly brighter core. Forms a 10' pair with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1244 = h2512 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF, lE, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcseconds." His position (from 2 sweeps) is accurate. He questioned if this object was the same as Dunlop's 205, but Dunlop's description ("a very faint small nebula, north following, a pretty bright small star; a very minute star is between the bright star and the nebula") does not seem to match.
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03 14 41 +47 14 18; Per
V = 8.4; Size 10'
17.5" (12/7/90): about 100 stars at 220x in 10' diameter. Rich in mag 13.5-14 stars and includes four mag 12 stars along the west side. Roughly circular outline and uniform but no concentration to the center, many stars are arranged in lanes. A mag 8.5 star is off the south edge and a mag 9 star is about 5' off the ENE edge.
13.1" (1/28/84): about 75 stars in a dense cluster. Includes bright stars on the north side.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1245 = H. VI-25 = h290 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645). He recorded "a beautiful very compressed and rich cluster of small stars, about 8' or 9' diameter, irr R." He was observed just 5° from the zenith at the latitude of Slough. On 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) he added "The large stars arranged in lines, like interwoven letters."
John Herschel observed the cluster on 31 Dec 1831 (sweep 390): "rich, L, cl not very comp; irreg R with stragglers; stars 12...15m; brightest part 5' diam".
On 23 Nov 1848, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) wrote, "Coarse, cl. strongly honey-combed. Would probably look annular with eccentric eyehole if it were far enough to be a nebula."
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NGC 1246 = ESO 082-009 = PGC 11680
03 07 02.0 -66 56 19; Hor
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40°
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.8'. Contains a large bright core that increases to a faint, stellar nucleus with a much fainter outer halo. Located 10' SSE of NGC 1244. Three mag 10-11 stars lie midway between NGC 1246 and NGC 1244.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1246 = h2513 on 2 Nov 1834 and noted "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 15 arcseconds." His position is accurate (2 observations).
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NGC 1247 = MCG -02-09-014 = UGCA 58 = FGC 396 = PGC 11931
03 12 14.3 -10 28 50; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 3.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 69°
17.5" (12/28/94): moderately bright edge-on 5:1
WSW-ENE, 2.4'x0.5', weak concentration.
A mag 14.5 "star" 2.5' SE of center appears possibly
quasi-stellar -- this is the compact galaxy
17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.5', broad mild concentration, fairly striking appearance.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1247 = H. II-900 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1087). He recorded "faint, extended nearly in the parallel, a little from south preceding to north following, about 3' long, 1' broad."
On 12 Jan 1877, Birr Castle assistant J.L.E. Dreyer logged "vF, very much elongated 72.5°, gradually little brighter middle. *10m 6' np."
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03 12 48.5 -05 13 29; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 100°
17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, round, small
bright core, possible stellar nucleus.
Located 5.5' S of mag 8.3
William Herschel discovered NGC 1248 = H. III-443 = h292 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), noting "vF, vS, confirmed by 240 power." John Herschel made three observations and initially assumed he had made the discovery.
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03 10 01.2 -53 20 09; Hor
V = 11.8; Size 4.9'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 86°
24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, large, very elongated nearly 3:1 E-W, ~4'x1.4', broad concentration with a bulging middle. The galaxy was brighter along the major axis (bar). The observation was cut short by clouds, so it's possible the observation was somewhat compromised.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1249 = h2514 on 5 Dec 1834,
recording "B; L; vmE in pos. 80°; very gradually brighter middle to an
axis; 2.5' l; 1' br." His
position and description matches
NGC 1249 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "spiral, 1 branch much brighter than other, E at 80°."
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03 15 21.1 +41 21 20; Per
V = 13.0; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 159°
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, faint almost stellar nucleus. Member of AGC 426.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1250 = Sw. 5-53 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate (on the west side of AGC 426).
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03 14 09.1 +01 27 24; Cet
= **, Carlson and Corwin.
Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 1251 = HN 24 on 25 Jan 1860 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars. He simply noted "faint nebulosity", but within 25" of his position is a faint double star (14.3/15.0 at 7"). All 9 of his nebulous objects in the NGC turned out to be single or double stars.
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03 10 44 -57 45 30; Hor
Size 10'
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): fairly large
scattered group of ~20 stars in a 10' region. Includes mag 6.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1252 = h2515 on 4 Dec 1834, recording a "Star 8m, the chief of a cluster of 18 or 20 stars." His Cape catalogue position corresponds with mag 6.6 HD 20037 at 03 10 39.2 -57 48 35 (2000), the brightest in this 10' group. Apparently JH made a copying error after he precessed his coordinates to 1860 for the General Catalogue (#663) as his position there is exactly 20' too far south. Dreyer didn't catch this mistake so it carried over into the NGC. As a result, ESO says "Not found" and RNGC classifies NGC 1252 as an "unverified southern object", both using the erroneous NGC position.
The group of stars at Herschel's position has been considered an asterism as most of the brighter stars have different proper motion using Hipparchos and ACT data. See Baumgardt "The nature of some doubtful open clusters as revealed by HIPPARCOS" (A&A, 340, 402, 1998). But a more recent paper by de la Fuente Marcos, et al. (MNRAS 434, 194, 2013) found there is an old, metal-poor cluster remnant here. At a distance of nearly 900 parsecs from the Galactic disk, it is one of the furthest (from the disk) cluster remnants known.
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03 14 09.1 -02 49 22; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 5.2'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 82°
48" (10/23/11): very bright, very large, elongated ~5:2
WSW-ENE, ~4'x1.6'. Contains a
large, very bright elongated core that gradually increases to the center. A mag 12.5 star is superimposed just SW
of the central region. A spiral
arm emerges from the galaxy on the ENE end and curls sharply clockwise towards
the SW on the follwing end of the galaxy and quickly dims. The arm appears patchy with a couple of
small knots near the outer edge (~1.6' from center). The arm on the west end is harder to make out as it emerges
from the central region near the superimposed star and is not as well defined,
appearing more as a hazy, mottled region with some brighter patches. A mag 12 star lies 3' ENE and just
beyond the star is
24" (12/1/13): NGC 1253A was picked up as a very faint to faint glow, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.4'x0.2' (central region seen), low surface brightness. Situated 3.9' ENE of much brighter NGC 1253 and just 0.9' NE of a mag 12 star. NGC 1253 showed a little structure but I didn't take notes.
17.5" (1/7/89): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, no central brightening but contains a slightly brighter knot at the NE end. A mag 12 star is involved at the west end 52" from the center and a mag 11 star is 2.9' ENE of center. Forms a double system with NGC 1253A 3.7' ENE (just following the mag 11 star) which was not seen.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1253 = H. IV-17 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280). He described "a small star with a very faint nebulous brush following (with 240x). I am sure with eyepiece No. 1 [157x] I should have overlooked it. The brush was faint and about 1.5' or 2' long. A star on each side which I viewed were free from that brush, though I drew them in the same part of the field." His position was 6' too far S. At the beginning of this sweep, he noted "The rope being broken the polar distance is coarsely marked in revolutions of the axel". d'Arrest measured an accurate position based on 4 separate measures.
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03 14 23.8 +02 40 42; Cet
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated
SW-NE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Equidistant between mag 8.7
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1254 = m 89 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta and logged "F, vS, stellar". His position is accurate.
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NGC 1255 = ESO 481-013 = MCG -04-08-050 = UGCA 60 = AM 0311-255 = LGG 086-001 = PGC 12007
03 13 32.2 -25 43 31; For
V = 10.9; Size 4.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 117°
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, large, fairly diffuse, weak concentration, elongated NW-SE. A mag 12 star is 2.0' SW of center. In a small group with NGC 1201 and 1302.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1255 = LM 1-98 on 30 Aug 1883
with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2,
page 226 and Object "b" in AN 108, 370, 1884) and described a
"faint nebula, not large, pretty even in light. A faint star close p
and slightly south probably involved.
Star is s and f the nebula by about 30'." Ormond Stone made
an independent discovery in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander
McCormick Observatory, recording "4.1'x2.0', PA 315°."
The NGC position is 2.5' south of
******************************
03 13 58.2 -21 59 10; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 108°
17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, slightly
elongated, weak even concentration to a small brighter core. A mag 15 star lies 1.1' N. Located 6.5' ESE of mag 9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1256 = h2516 on 13 Nov 1835,
calling it "F, S, almost stellar, but E, has a * 8 preceding 7.5', 2' N." His position and description (the star
is mag 9.3
******************************
03 16 59.5 +41 31 45; Per
= **, Corwin. Misidentified in RNGC and RC3.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1257 = Big. 16 on 19 Oct
1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but according to Harold
Corwin, Bigourdan's position (once the position of his offset star is corrected)
points directly to a close pair of 15th magnitude stars at 03 16 59.5 +41 31
45. The RNGC, PGC and RC 3
misidentify
******************************
NGC 1258 = ESO 547-024 = MCG -04-08-053 = PGC 12034
03 14 05.5 -21 46 28; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 17°
17.5" (11/10/96): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness. Appears ~1.5'x1.0' (slightly larger than listed dimensions). In field with NGC 1256 13' SSW.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1258 = LM 2-364 on 19 Nov
1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, recording
"mag 15.6, 1.2' dia, vlE 0°, GC 665 [NGC 1256] 12' south." His position is just 0.2 min of RA east
of
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03 17 17.3 +41 23 07; Per
V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.7'
24" (2/15/18): at 375x; faint, small, round, 15"
diameter. A mag 15 star is at the
west edge and a small trio of 13th mag star is close east. In the central region of AGC 426 with
17.5" (12/19/87): extremely faint, very small. An extremely faint mag 15.5 star is at
the west edge. Located 3.7' NE of
UGC 2626 = (R)NGC 1259. First of
three with NGC 1260 and
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1259 = Big. 17 on 21 Oct
1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory and noted, "round,
25" diameter, vslbM".
With respect to Big. 18 = NGC 1260, his position is 11 sec of RA west
and 1' S. This offset corresponds
to
******************************
NGC 1260 = UGC 2634 = MCG +07-07-047 = CGCG 540-081 = PGC 12219
03 17 27.2 +41 24 19; Per
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 86°
24" (2/15/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 45" length, strong concentration with a bright round core. NGC 1259 lies 2.2' SW and MCG +07-07-048 is 1.8' SSE. The latter galaxy appeared faint, small, round, 15" diameter. A mag ~14.5 star is at the west edge.
17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, weak concentration. This member of AGC 426 is the brightest of three with NGC 1259 2.2' SW.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1260 = Big. 18 on 19 Oct
1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, reporting "mag 13.3-13.4,
25" dia, no nucleus."
His position corresponds with
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03 12 15.3 -55 13 01; Hor
V = 8.3; Size 6.9'; Surf Br = 0.0
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, symmetric globular, ~5' diameter, with a large very bright condensed core (concentration class II). A mag 9 star lies 3.6' NE of the center, just outside the halo. At 171x, the halo was just resolved into a large number of faint stars.
20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 212x, the resolution was a bit better in the halo than with the 18", but the blazing core was still unresolved.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1261 = D 337 = h2517 on 28 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW. He described (based on two observations) "a very bright round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, pretty well defined and gradually bright to the centre. A small star north following." No mention was made of resolution in either of his two observations, though it might have been possible at high power (brightest stars mag 13.5).
John Herschel observed the cluster twice, first describing it on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520) as a "globular, bright; large; irregularly round; 2.5' diameter; all resolved into equal stars 14 mag. Has a star 9th mag 45° N.f. 3' distant." On his second sweep he logged "pretty bright; round; very gradually brighter in the middle; 3' across; resolved into stars of 15th magnitude. A very faint nebula (??) precedes." There is a close pair of extremely faint galaxies southwest of the globular, but I doubt Herschel could have picked these up.
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03 15 33.6 -15 52 46; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 135°
48" (11/4/21): moderately bright, fairly small, round, slightly brighter core and nucleus. The halo has a fairly low surface halo but a well defined periphery and an irregular surface brightness (NGC 1262 is a face-on spiral).
17.5" (12/30/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, no concentration. Requires averted vision and could not hold steadily. A mag 15 star lies 1.0' SW.
The redshift-based distance of this galaxy is nearly 1.1
billion l.y., with a second measurement in NED yielding 1.4 billion l.y! The larger figure places it as the most
distant NGC, further than
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1262 = LM 1-99 on 12 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory,
recording "mag 15.0, pS, irregularly round, suddenly brighter in the
middle to a nucleus, halo 15.5."
Within the accuracy of his measurement (nearest minute of RA), his
position matches
******************************
03 15 39.6 -15 05 55; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (12/30/99): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter. Requires averted to glimpse. Once or twice the small halo disappeared and an extremely faint stellar nucleus was momentarily visible.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1263 = LM 1-100 on 31 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory,
recoerding it as "mag 14.0, 0.7' dia, lE 0°, suddenly brighter
middle." His very rough RA
(nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min west of
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03 17 59.5 +41 31 14; Per
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 30°
24" (2/15/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small,
slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', very small slightly brighter nucleus. The nearest member of AGC 426 is PGC
12263, 1.4' S, which was extremely faint and small, 10" diameter, required
averted to pick up. 5' to the SE are
17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, small, round, low surface brightness. An extremely faint companion is 1.5' SSW. Member of AGC 426.
CGCG 540-085, which RNGC misidentifies as NGC 1264, is 4.4' SSW. It appeared very faint, extremely small, round, even surface brightness. Three stars forming a right triangle are 2'-3' west.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1264 = Big. 19 on 19 Oct
1884 and noted "mag 13.3, 30" diameter, vslbM." His position corresponds with
******************************
03 18 15.8 +41 51 28; Per
V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 165°
24" (1/28/17): at 282x; large, very diffuse glow with a
bright star superimposed just east of center! This galaxy appeared as a low surface brightness haze
perhaps 1.25' in diameter. With
careful viewing, there appeared to be a very small, slightly brighter core just
west of the star. A mag 10.4 star
lies 2.7' S.
17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, small, round glow. This member of the AGC 426 cluster is located just east of a mag 11 star and has a striking location. Forms a pair with IC 312 6' SSW.
Note: The bright star is directly superimposed, so there was some confusion in this observation.
Note: In 2017 it was determined that based on the historical record NGC 1265 is identical to IC 312 (description below) and the traditional identification NGC 1265 = UGC 2651 is incorrect.
24" (1/28/17): at 282x; moderately bright, fairly
small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4', small bright core.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1265 = Big. 20 on 14 Nov
1884 and reported "mag 13.3, 15" diameter, slbM." His position
is 5 tsec of RA east and 1.4' south of
In January 2017 I wrote Harold Corwin regarding my observation: "[I] initially was stumped on NGC 1265. It took me a minute or two to notice NGC 1265 as a relatively large, diffuse glow surrounding a fairly bright star that is superimposed. The star is not evident on the DSS, but you can clearly see it on the SDSS, including its diffraction spikes. NGC 1265 supposedly has a V mag ~12, but I'm guessing that includes the star, and the glow of IC 312 at V = 13.4 was more obvious to me."
Corwin checked Bigourdan's records and found he misplaced his offset star by 8'. Once corrected, his offset points to IC 312! Although the 8 arcminute error is unexplained, Corwin concludes "it is clear that Bigiourdan discovered IC 312 and not UGC 2651." Although he has updated his files to this identification, it will be difficult to change other databases and the literature on the Perseus galaxy cluster.
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03 16 00.8 -02 25 38; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 115°
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, oval 3:2 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' WSW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1266 = H. III-194 on 20 Sep
1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF and eS. 240 verified it" There is nothing at his position, but
11.7' north and 13 sec of RA east is
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03 18 44.9 +41 28 04; Per
V = 13.2; Size 0.9'x0.8'
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly small,
round, fairly high surface brightness, increases to a bright stellar
nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC
1268 1.0' N in the center of AGC 426 with a number of galaxies nearby including
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, faint
stellar nucleus. Forms a close
pair with
CGCG 540-089 is extremely faint and small, round. Two mag 14 stars are close south just 16" and 32" from the center.
CGCG 540-087 is faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S. A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' N of center.
13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, small, compact, arc of stars just south. In a group of 4 in AGC 426.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1267 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory. He noted a size of 8" and his position (measured on 2 nights) is accurate. The same night he also discovered nearby NGC 1268, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278.
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NGC 1268 = UGC 2658 = MCG +07-07-056 = CGCG 540-093 = WBL 097-013 = PGC 12332
03 18 45.1 +41 29 19; Per
V = 14.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; PA = 120°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, very slightly elongated,~0.6'x0.5', nearly even surface brightness. A 15th magnitude star is superimposed on the south side. Forms a close pair with NGC 1267 1.2' S. NGC 1268 has a significantly lower surface brightness.
17.5" (10/24/87): extremely faint and small, round, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 1267 1.2' S. Also very near are CGCG 540-089 1.8' SW and NGC 1270 is 2.7' ESE. Located in the central core of AGC 426 with NGC 1272 6.8' E.
13.1" (1/28/84): extremely faint, very small, diffuse. Located 1' N of NGC 1267 in AGC 426.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1268 on 14 Feb 1863 with
the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. His position (measured on 2 nights) and description (1'
north of NGC 1267) matches
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03 17 18.2 -41 06 26; Eri
See observing notes for
John Herschel discovered NGC 1269 = h2518 on 1 Nov 1836, and logged "vB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"." On the same sweep he found NGC 1291 = h2521 and strangely he recorded identical declinations and almost identical descriptions! Could he have reobserved the same object unknowingly? In MN, Vol 62, p469, Innes comments "not visible in the 7-inch [at the Cape of Good Hope]. This is perhaps the same as NGC 1291, observed by John Herschel on the same night. JH gives for the latter exactly the same declination and description as for h2518." Pietro Baracchi also searched for NGC 1269 unsuccessfully with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 16 Feb 1888. The most reasonable conclusion is Herschel recorded this object twice and NGC 1269 = NGC 1291. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1270 = UGC 2660 = MCG +07-07-057 = CGCG 540-095 = LGG 088-006 = PGC 12350
03 18 58.1 +41 28 13; Per
V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 15°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly
small, round, ~0.9' diameter, fairly high surface brightness, increases to the
center, thin fainter halo. In the
central core of AGC 426 with the trio of NGC 1267, 1268 and CGCG 540-089
immediately west and NGC 1272 4.5' ENE.
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright core. Located in the central core of AGC 426 with NGC 1267 2.6' W, NGC 1268 2.7' WNW and NGC 1272 4.4' ENE.
13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, weak concentration. Last of four in a small group in the core of AGC 426 with NGC 1267 2.5' W.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1270 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory and placed it 14 seconds of time following NGC 1267. At the same time, d'Arrest discovered nearby NGC 1267, 1268, 1272, 1273 and 1278. Dreyer measured a micrometric offset from NGC 1272 in 12 Dec 1876. Dreyer found this galaxy again on 11 Sep 1888 and reported it as new in his 8th list. Dreyer correctly assumed Sw. 8-30 was a reobservation of one of the earlier discoveries in the cluster, so didn't assign it an IC designation.
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03 19 11.3 +41 21 12; Per
V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.35'; PA = 123°
17.5" (8/12/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Member of AGC 426.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1271 = Big. 21 on 14 Nov
1884, recording "mag 13.5, 20" diameter, no nucleus." His position is just off the south edge
of
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NGC 1272 = UGC 2662 = MCG +07-07-058 = CGCG 540-098 = LGG 091-003 = PGC 12384
03 19 21.3 +41 29 27; Per
V = 11.8; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; bright, fairly large (largest in AGC 426!), round, ~2' diameter. Strongly concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to the center but no central pip. The surface brightness of the core is lower than NGC 1275, which is 5' ENE.
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, small
bright core. This galaxy is the
second brightest in AGC 426 and forms the SW vertex of a distinctive
parallelogram of brighter galaxies with NGC 1275 5' ENE,
13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core.
8" (1/1/84): extremely faint and small, round.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1272 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. He estimated a size of 45"-50" diameter and measured the position on 2 nights (27 seconds preceding NGC 1275). The same night he found NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1273 and 1278.
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NGC 1273 = MCG +07-07-059 = CGCG 540-099 = LGG 088-029 = PGC 12396
03 19 26.7 +41 32 26; Per
V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2
24" (2/15/18): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly
small, round, 35" diameter, very small bright nucleus. One of a dozen galaxies logged within
8'! Forms the NW vertex of a
trapezoid with NGC 1272, 1274 and 1275 and at the midpoint of NGC 1272 3' SSW
and
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms the NW vertex of a parallelogram of brighter galaxies in the core of AGC 426 with NGC 1272 3.1' SSW, NGC 1275 4.4' ESE, and NGC 1278 5.3' ENE.
13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small. Located 4.4' WNW of NGC 1275 in the core of AGC 426.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1273 on 14 Feb 1863 with
the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches
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03 19 40.5 +41 32 55; Per
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 43°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 25"x15", slightly brighter nucleus. Located in the center of an oval ring of galaxies in the core of AGC 426. The four nearest are NGC 1278 2.7' NE, NGC 1275 2.6' SE, NGC 1273 2.6' WSW and CGCG 540-101 2.2' NW! The latter galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter. An equilateral triangle of mag 14 stars is close south.
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, weak concentration, slightly elongated. Located in the dense central core of AGC 426 just 2.7' NW of NGC 1275 and 2.6' E of NGC 1273.
CGCG 540-101 = PGC 12405, which is misidentified as IC 1907 in MCG, PGC and RC3, lies 2.3' NW. It appeared very faint, small, round. A small triangle of stars is close south.
13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, very small. Located 2.7' NW of NGC 1275 within AGC 426.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1274
on 13 Dec 1874 and labeled it as "d" on his sketch. The sketch and micrometric offset from
a nearby star matches
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NGC 1275 = UGC 2669 = MCG +07-07-063 = CGCG 540-103 = Perseus A = 3C 84 = PGC 12429
03 19 48.1 +41 30 43; Per
V = 11.9; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 110°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; bright, fairly large, slightly
elongated WNW-ESE, ~1.6'x1.3'.
Divided into three distinct zones; sharply concentrated with a strong
bright core, a prominent quasi-stellar nucleus and a halo that gradually fades
out. Similar or slightly smaller in size to NGC 1272, but with a higher surface
brightness core/nucleus. A mag
13.8 star is just off the NW side.
A dozen members of AGC 426 were logged within 5' of NGC 1275! The closest is
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval
~E-W, small bright core. NGC 1275
is a Seyfert galaxy and is the largest and brightest member of AGC 426. Surrounded by a swarm of faint galaxies
in the core including NGC 1272 5.2' WSW, NGC 1273 4.4' WNW, NGC 1274 2.6' NW,
13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright, fairly small, small bright core.
8" (1/1/84): faint but not difficult, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.
6" (10/24/87): extremely faint and small, round. Used a 6" mask on the 17.5".
William Herschel discovered NGC 1275 = H. II-603 = h293 on
17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614). His decription reads, "pretty bright, stellar
[nebula], or a pretty considerable star with a small, very faint chevelure
[halo]." Earlier in the same
sweep, he discovered
John Herschel made a single observation on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182) and measured an accurate position. Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stone observed NGC 1275 on 16 Dec 1848 and noted "A multitude of nebs. knots in the neighborhood, principally preceding; counted 15; many more."
Heinrich d'Arrest observed the cluster on 14 Feb 1863 (discovering NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278) and described NGC 1275 as a "nebula duplex", the second component being NGC 1278 about 3' NE, so d'Arrest was the first to observe NGC 1278. But he wasn't sure which of the two nebulae was NGC 1275 (H. II-603), so reported his observation of NGC 1275 as new and noted for NGC 1278: "II 603? [h]293?". John Herschel credited d'Arrest with the discovery of GC 675 (later NGC 1278), but Dreyer thought Herschel discovered NGC 1278 and he mistakenly assigned d'Arrest's discovery to NGC 1275. Steinicke agrees (personal e-mail) that Dreyer reversed the discovery credits and descriptions for NGC 1275 and NGC 1278 in the NGC and concludes:
NGC 1275 = II 603 = h 293 = GC 674, discovered by WH on 17 Oct 1786 and observed by d'Arrest on 14 Feb 1863.
NGC 1278 = GC 675, discovered by d'Arrest on 14 Feb 1863 and independently by Bigourdan on 22 Oct 1884 (IC 1907).
NGC 1275 contains a Sy2 nucleus and is one of the 6 original galaxies studied by Seyfert in his seminal 1943 paper "Nuclear Emission in Spiral Nebulae". It is a powerful radio source (Perseus A)
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03 19 51.2 +41 38 31; Per
= **, Corwin. =
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core. In the central core of the Perseus galaxy cluster 2.8' NNE of NGC 1273 and 3.9' WNW of NGC 1278.
17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval. Located in the central core of AGC 426 on a line with NGC 1277 and NGC 1278 2' SE.
J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1276 on 12 Dec 1876 while measured positions within the cluster. From NGC 1278, his micrometric offset is 291" in PA 352.3° (or 3.5 seconds of RA west and 4.8' north). There is no galaxy close to this offset, but at 4.7' separation in PA 353° is a 15" pair of stars that Corwin identifies as NGC 1276. I'm surprised Dreyer didn't resolve this pair, though perhaps he thought one component was nebulous.
Malcolm Thomson suggested PGC 12430 as a possible match though the offsets are 6 seconds of RA west of NGC 1278 and only 2' N. Karl Reinmuth stated in his 1926 monograph, "not found [on a Heidelberg plate] in Dreyer's place; perhaps 1.6' nnp of NGC 1277." Reinmuth also refers to PGC 12430, but no simple error in Dreyer's offsets lands of this galaxy. RNGC also appears to identify PGC 12430 as NGC 1276.
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NGC 1277 = MCG +07-07-064 = CGCG 540-104 = LGG 088-007 = PGC 12434
03 19 51.5 +41 34 25; Per
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 92°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, fairly high surface brightness, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a "double" with NGC 1278" just 45" SE between centers.
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, oval ~E-W, small bright core. Located in the central core of AGC 426 3.7' N of NGC 1275 and forms a close pair with NGC 1278 0.8' SE.
13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, extremely small. Located 0.8' NW of NGC 1278.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1277 = Sw. 8-32 on 4 Dec 1875. Dreyer independently found the galaxy a year later on 12 Dec 1876 and both observations are included in Dreyer's GC Supplement (5304 = 5305). Dreyer equated the GC entries in the NGC.
Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 14 Sep 1888 and reported it as new as the 32nd nebula in his 8th list, writing "eeeF; vS; R; close D[ouble] with 1276; M[iddle] of 3 in line; 1271, 73, 76, 78 in field". His position is within 1' of NGC 1277 and the description applies, except it forms a close double with NGC 1278. Dreyer didn't assign an IC designation to Sw. 8-32, apparently correctly deciding it was a duplicate. Unfortunately, Sw. 8-31 didn't receive an IC designation either, although it applies to PGC 12430 (described as "one of 3 in a line").
******************************
NGC 1278 = IC 1907 = UGC 2670 = MCG +07-07-065 = CGCG 540-105 = PGC 12438
03 19 54.1 +41 33 48; Per
V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly
small, slightly elongated E-W, 40" diameter, bright core, gradually
increases to center. Slightly
brighter than NGC 1277, which is off the northwest side [50" from
center].
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval,
small bright core. Located in the
central core of AGC 426. Forms a
close pair with NGC 1277 0.8' NW with
13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small. Located 3.4' N of NGC 1275 and forms a close pair with NGC 1277.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1278 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. William Herschel is credited with the discovery in the NGC, but H. II-603 and h293 should apply to NGC 1275 instead, as well as the description "pB, pS, R, bM". Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 22 Oct 1884 and reported it in his 4th Comptes Rendus list as Big. 375 (later IC 1907). Both d'Arrest and Bigourdan missed nearby NGC 1277. See notes on NGC 1275 for more on the confusion of NGC 1275 and 1278.
******************************
NGC 1279 = PGC 12448 = PGC 12449
03 19 59.0 +41 28 47; Per
V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 0°
17.5" (8/12/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. Visible continuously with averted vision. Located in the central core of AGC 426 just 2.8' SE of NGC 1275! This galaxy is not listed in MCG, CGCG or RC3 and was incorrectly identified in the PGC.
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S.
13.1" (1/28/84): extremely faint, very small, near visual threshold. Located 2.8' SE of NGC 1275.
J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1279 on 12 Dec 1876 with the
72" at Birr Castle. He simply logged "vF, vS" and measured a
micrometric offset from a star between NGC 1275 and NGC 1272 at 272.4" in
PA 104.5°. At this precise offset
(270" in PA 105°) is
******************************
03 17 57.1 -00 10 09; Cet
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55°
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1280 = St. 12-25 on 30 Nov 1877. His published micrometric position was reduced on 19 Dec 1881 with his description reading, "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle, seems resolvable."
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NGC 1281 = MCG +07-07-067 = CGCG 540-108 = PGC 12458
03 20 06.1 +41 37 48; Per
V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 68°
24" (2/13/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 30"x24", sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core that has a high surface brightness. A mag 10.5 star is 1.0' WSW. Located 4.6' NNE of NGC 1278 in the core of AGC 426.
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE. Located in the central core of AGC 426 1.0' NE of a mag 10 star. NGC 1275 lies 7.8' SSW.
J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1281 on 12 Dec 1876 with the
72" at Birr Castle and noted "vF, S, *11m 1' p". With respect to NGC 1278 (incorrectly
identified by Dreyer as h674), this object was placed 10.8 seconds of RA east
and 239" N. This micrometric
offset points exactly at
******************************
03 20 12.1 +41 22 01; Per
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 25°
17.5" (8/12/88): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1283 2' NNE in the core of AGC 426. NGC 1275 lies 10' NW.
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, slightly brighter core. Located 1' E of a mag 13.5 star.
13.1" (1/8/84): faint, fairly small, diffuse halo.
Located 10' SE of NGC 1275. Forms
a pair with
Édouard Stephan probably discovered NGC 1282 = Big. 22 on 29 Nov 1875. His rough, unpublished position was 2' SE of center, similar to his other positional errors. He didn't follow up with an accurate position and publish the discovery, so did not receive recognition in the NGC. Guillaume Bigourdan rediscovered it on 23 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. His description reads, "mag 13.2-13.3, 20" diameter, faint stellar ncl."
******************************
NGC 1283 = UGC 2676 = MCG +07-07-069 = CGCG 540-110 = PGC 12478
03 20 15.5 +41 23 55; Per
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 70°
17.5" (8/12/88): faint, small, round. A pair of stars are close north.
17.5" (11/14/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated. Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 13.5 star 1' N and a mag 14 star 1' NNW. This member of AGC 426 forms a pair with NGC 1282 2' SSW.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1283 = Big. 23 on 23 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, reporting "mag 13.4, 20" diamewter, very little brighter middle." His position is accurate.
******************************
03 17 45.5 -10 17 20; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 90°
17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness. A wide mag 13.5/14.5 double at 26" lies 2' SSE. Located 9.8' NNW of mag 7.1 SAO 148889. Appears fainter than listed V = 12.1.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1284 = H. III-956 = h2519 on
10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1087) and noted "vF, vS, 2 or 3' north of 2 small
stars.". His position matches
******************************
03 17 53.4 -07 17 54; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 35°
17.5" (12/28/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak broad concentration but no defined core. Slightly mottled or irregular surface brightness.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1285 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. His single position is just off the east side of the galaxy.
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03 17 48.5 -07 37 01; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 150°
18" (11/23/05): fairly faint, small, round, 25"
diameter, very small bright core.
A mag 15 star is just of the west side, ~40" from the center. Located 4.9' ENE of mag 9.7
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1286 = Sw. 3-25 on 10 Nov 1885
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 7 sec
of RA east of
******************************
03 18 33.4 -02 43 51; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, even surface
brightness. Located 9' NW of mag
7.1
William Herschel discovered NGC 1287 = H. III-195 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF, eS, verified with 240 power." His RA is 13 seconds too large. Heinrich d'Arrest noted the error and his mean position (3 nights) is close off the northeast edge of the galaxy.
******************************
03 17 13.2 -32 34 34; For
V = 12.1; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 178°
17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 2.0'x1.5', broad concentration with no distinct. The surface brightness appears somewhat uneven (face-on Sb) although the outer halo fades smoothly into the background.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1288 = h2520 on 19 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 2.5' diam." His position and description is accurate. Lewis Swift saw the galaxy as "considerably elongated in the meridian [N-S]. It is not round as Sir J. Herschel says."
NGC 1288 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "Close 2-branch spiral, diameter 1', stellar nucleus."
******************************
03 18 49.8 -01 58 24; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100°
24" (11/23/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, better than average surface brightness, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 E-W, strong concentration with a prominent core that increases to a stellar nucleus.
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
3:2 E-W, broad concentration to a brighter core. An 8' line of four mag 11-13 stars oriented SW-NE follows;
the closest is a mag 11 star 3.6' ESE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1289 = Sw. 4-13 on 1 Sep 1886 and
recorded "vF; S; R; 4 st following in a row.". His position was 11 seconds of RA west
of
******************************
03 19 25.2 -13 59 23; Eri
V = 14.8; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20"
diameter. Located 1.3' SE of a mag 13.5 star. Forms a pair with
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1290 = LM 1-101 (along with NGC 1295 = LM 1-102) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) but 1.2 tmin of RA east is PGC 12395. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
RNGC and MCG misidentify
******************************
NGC 1291 = NGC 1269 = ESO 301-002 = MCG -07-07-008 = PGC 12209
03 17 18.2 -41 06 26; Eri
V = 8.5; Size 9.8'x8.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 156°
25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; extremely bright, large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x2.7', very bright core with an intense nucleus. A mag 12.2 star is is superimposed at the N edge [1.7' from center] and a second very faint star is on the halo on the south side. The huge outer ring was not noticed.
17.5" (8/31/86): very bright, fairly large, contains a
very bright, large core. A mag 12
star is just off the north end 1.7' from the center. Mag 8
13.1" (10/10/86): very bright, moderately large, round, very bright core, almost stellar nucleus, large faint halo. A star is involved on the north side.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1291 = D 487 = h2521 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and recorded "a pretty bright round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, very bright and condensed to the centre, and very faint at the margin; with a very small star about 1' north, but not involved.". His single position was 4' too far ESE. Probably due to a clerical error, John Herschel included two entries for this galaxy in his Cape Catalogue from his observation on 1 Nov 1836 - namely, h2521 (later NGC 1291) and h2518 (later NGC 1269). The RA for h2518 was 2.6 minutes of time too small, though otherwise the two entries are essentially identical and neither he nor Dreyer caught the error. In 1901 Robert Innes was unable to find NGC 1269 with the 7" refractor at Cape Town and first suggested it was identical to NGC 1291.
On sweep 754 (5 Dec 1836), Herschel described NGC 1291 as "Globular; vB, R, 1st gradually, then suddenly very mbM; r, mottled, but not resolved.". In a 1908 paper in Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, Solon Bailey (director of the Boyden Observatory at Arequipa from 1893 to 1919) expressed his doubt on the object's nature: "This object is given as a globular cluster in the NGC. This appears probable, although it is not resolved on the [24"] Bruce plates [at Arequipa]." He later included it in a list of uncertain or not probable globular star clusters. Photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt between 1914 and 1916 revealed only "structureless nebulosity."
Photographs taken around 1920 with the 30-inch reflector at the Cordoba observatory in Argentina revealed the large outer ring. Based on the image, Charles Perrine described NGC 1291 as "probably a spiral nebula of exceptional interest" with "a large apparently disconnected ring"...about one and one-half turns of a helix, the doubled portion (showing two streams) being to the north of the nuclear portion of the nebula. The diameter of the helix is about 7'. The diameter or perhaps major axis at right angles to the major axis of the center portion is 10'."
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03 18 14.8 -27 36 37; For
V = 12.1; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 7°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, bright core. A group of four stars lies to the north includes a mag 11 double star at 24" separation 3' NE, a third mag 11 star 4.4' NNE and a mag 12 star 3' due north.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1292 in Nov 1885 with the 6" Cooke refractor at Vanderbilt University. His position and description in Sidereal Messenger 5, p25 ("rather faint, moderate size, elongated nearly north and south, just south and slightly preceding a small wide double-star") is accurate.
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NGC 1293 = MCG +07-07-075 = CGCG 540-116 = PGC 12597
03 21 36.4 +41 23 35; Per
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 1294 2' SSE. Member of AGC 426.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1293 = H. III-574 = h294,
along with
John Herschel made an observation on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182): "extremely faint; round; bright middle; the north preceding of two [with NGC 1294]." He made an error computing the declination, but his identifications are clear.
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NGC 1294 = UGC 2694 = MCG +07-07-076 = CGCG 540-117 = PGC 12600
03 21 40.0 +41 21 36; Per
V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 167°
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1293 2' NNW. Member of AGC 426.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1294 = H. III-575 = h295, along with NGC 1293, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614). He logged them together as "Two. Both very faint, stellar, very little brighter middle, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest." John Herschel mistaenly called this galaxy the "north-following of two" on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182).
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NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030 = PGC 12465
03 20 03.3 -13 59 54; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175°
17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very small bright core. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.3' NW. Located 3' WSW of a mag 10.3 star and 8' N of mag 9 SAO 148906. Forms a pair with NGC 1295 9' due east. The identifications of NGC 1290 and NGC 1295 are reversed in the RNGC.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1295 = LM 1-102 (along with NGC 1290 = I-101) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His description reads "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, *10 3.0' in PA 75° (ENE)." There is nothing at Stone's rough position (nearest minute of RA) but 1 min of RA east is MCG -02-09-030 = PGC 12465 and the star is just where he placed it. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 1290 in RNGC and MCG.
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03 18 49.7 -13 03 44; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0°
17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration. At 280x, there is a hint of structure or possibly a very faint star is attached. The DSS image shows a barred spiral with spiral arms attached at the east and west ends of the bar.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1296 = LM 1-365 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting
"0.2' diam, R". His
position is 34 tsec of RA east of
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03 19 14.2 -19 06 00; Eri
V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 3°
17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright with a large faint halo nearly 2' diameter, broadly concentrated halo, small bright nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is at the north edge 1' NNE of center. Companion of NGC 1300, which lies 20' SSE.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1297 around Jan 1885 with his
5-inch Byrne refractor while sweeping comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, p53 and The
Observatory 8, p123). He called it
"small, round, and very much brighter, somewhat suddenly, in the centre. Rather faint from its generally low
altitude. It is south following a
9th mag star by 1 1/4'. This nebula is 20'± north preceding a larger
nebula. I have taken this latter
nebula to be [
******************************
NGC 1298 = UGC 2683 = MCG +00-09-062 = CGCG 390-063 = PGC 12473
03 20 13.1 -02 06 51; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 70°
17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration. NGC 1289 lies 22' WNW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1298 on 4 Jan 1864 with the
11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. His position (observed on 2 nights) is very good and he
accurately measured a mag 13-14 star that precedes by 8 seconds of time. The MCG misidentifies
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NGC 1299 = MCG -01-09-028 = PGC 12466
03 20 09.6 -06 15 45; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40°
17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 5:2 SW-NE, irregular surface brightness. A bright knot or possibly a star is superimposed at the NE
end. The galaxy appears to extend
out from the pointed NE corner towards the SW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1299 = H. II-287 = h296 on 27 Jan 1785, logging it as "F, vS, lE, easily resolvable, unequally bright." On 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) he noted "vF, pS, E."
NGC 1299 was observed 9 times at Birr Castle, perhaps trying to resolve it. The earliest was by assistant George Johnstone Stoney on 19 Dec 1848 and noted as "gradually brighter in the middle; E [southwest-northeast]."
The position angle is off by 90 deg in the RC 3.
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NGC 1300 = ESO 547-031 = MCG -03-09-018 = UGCA 66 = LGG 090-002 = PGC 12412
03 19 41.0 -19 24 40; Eri
V = 10.4; Size 6.2'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 106°
48" (10/25/14 and 10/29/16): the northern spiral arm is brightest and thickest in the 1' section, oriented SW-NE, where it attaches to the bar. At 375x and 488x at least three knots (HII complexes) were clearly resolved along this region. The brightest knot is on the southwest end (close to the end of the bar) and appears as a very faint, small, elongated glow, ~12"x8". This HII complex contains NGC 1300:[H69] 16/19 from Paul Hodge's 1969 "HII Regions in Twenty Nearby Galaxies" (ApJS, 18, 73). [H69] 15, the next brightest knot, is 0.3' NE and appeared very faint and small, ~8" diameter. Finally, [H69] 14, the faintest knot, is near the northeast end of this arm segment (~15" NE of [H69] 15) and is extremely faint and small, 6" diameter. The northern arm appears to fade out as it extends east (north of the core) but reappears along the eastern end of the arm.
The root of the southern arm at the east end of the bar is brighter and thicker, but no HII regions were resolved. The long southern arm could be traced the full length (nearly 4') sweeping west and arcing north on its western half. A small, weak knot is at the very tip, which is 2.5' W of center (on line with the bar).
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): beautiful classic barred spiral at 303x! A prominent 3' bar runs WNW-ESE and contains a very bright, roundish 1' core that gradually brightens to the center. An easily visible arm is attached at the east end of the bar. It hooks sharply to the west on the south side, gradually curling towards the north. The arm has a fairly even surface brightness except where is attaches to the bar in a brighter, thicker section. It ends nearly due west of the core [2.2' from center]. An opposing arm is attached at the west end of the bar and is brightest initially along a clumpy section (containing at least 2 resolved knots) angling from southwest to northeast. The central section of the northern arm (directly north of the core) has a very low surface brightness but it brightens in a thin section near the east end. The two main arms extend at least 4.5'x3' ~E-W
48" (10/25/11): this prototype barred spiral was mesmerizing at 375x. Running roughly E-W through the center is a long bright bar, ~3' in length. The center is sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 1' core that continues to increase to a stellar nucleus. At the west end of the bar, a fairly bright arm emerges and hooks back dramatically to the east (counterclockwise) to the north of the bar and continues to the northeast end of the galaxy. The arm is brightest in a thick arc, oriented SW-NE, where it attaches to the bar. The central section of the arm to the north of the core is slightly fainter and then brightens slightly on its northeast end. A mag 15.5-16 star is superimposed in the gap between this arm and the core, 45" NE of center. The second arm emerges at the east end of the bar and is brightest initially in a fairly thick arc extending counterclockwise to the southwest. This arm is slightly more separated from the core as it gracefully curves to the southwest side of the galaxy. The two main arms increase the overall size of the galaxy to 5'x3' WNW-ESE.
17.5" (8/31/86): fairly bright, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus. A spiral arm is visible at the west end of the central bar curving to the north. NGC 1297 lies 20' NNW.
8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, low surface brightness, diffuse.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1300 = h2522 on 11 Dec 1835, recording "B; vL; 1st very gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 3' l; 2' b; mE. (N.B. These dimensions can only refer to the brighter portions.)" His second descriptions reads: "pF, vL; 1st gradually then pretty suddenly brighter middle to a faint nucleus; mE 8' or 10' l, 2' b.". Herschel's position (2 observations) in his Cape Catalogue is accurate but in the General Catalogue he made a clerical error so his position for GC 689 = NGC 1300 was 1° too far south. Barnard caught this error (Sidereal Messenger 4, p125) and Dreyer corrected the position while compiling the NGC.
NGC 1300 was missed by William Herschel - the closest
galaxies he discovered were
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03 20 35.4 -18 42 58; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 2.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140°
17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 15 star lies 1.7' NNW of center. Located 30' NW of NGC 1297 and 44' NNW of NGC 1300.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1301 = LM 1-103 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, logging "mag
13.0, iF, vmE 135°." His rough
position is 13' NW of
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03 19 51.0 -26 03 37; For
V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x3.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, compact, oval ~N-S, small very bright core. A mag 11.5 star is 1.9' NE of center. NGC 1201 and 1302 are the brightest members of the LGG 086 group.
8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, bright core, fairly small, round.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1302 around Jan 1885 with his 5-inch Byrne refractor while sweeping comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, p53 and The Observatory 8, p123). His position is accurate.
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03 20 40.8 -07 23 40; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20°
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S,
30"x25". The halo
suddenly brightens to a sharp 5" nucleus. A mag 15 star is just off the southeast side 20" from
center. Forms the northern vertex
of an isosceles triangle with mag
9.7
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1303 on 28 Oct 1865 with an
11" refractor at Copenhagen.
His single position matches
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03 21 12.8 -04 35 03; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130°
17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1304 = H. III-444 on 5 Oct
1785 (sweep 457) and logged
"eF, pS, E.". His
position (reduced by Auwers) is just 3 sec of RA east and 2' S of MCG
-01-09-030 = PGC 12575. Corwin
suggests that
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03 21 23.0 -02 19 01; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130°
17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S. A faint mag 15.5 star is 30" off the NE edge and 0.9' from center.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1305 on 4 Jan 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen, logging it as "pB, R, 20" diam, *15 near the northern end." His position is 1' too far north.
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03 21 03.0 -25 30 45; For
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round,
0.7' diameter. Weak, even
concentration to a slightly brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. Located 17' WNW of mag 6.5
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1306 = LM 1-103 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
14.8, vS, gradually brighter in the middle, no Nucl, *10.5 4' E." His rough position matches
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NGC 1307 = NGC 1304 = MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12637
03 21 12.8 -04 35 03; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130°
See observing notes for NGC 1304.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1307 = LM 2-366 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting "mag 15.3, 0.2' diam, R, *9.5 follows 8 sec, north 3'." Close to his discovery position is KUG 319-47 = PGC 12637, though this galaxy may be too faint to have picked up by Leavenworth. Corwin suggests that NGC 1307 is identical to NGC 1304, discovered earlier by William Herschel. This brighter galaxy is 1 tmin of RA west of Leavenworth's position (a common error). Although there is no star matching Leavenworth's description, Corwin suggests a mag 11.5-12 star 6 tsec of RA west and 3.2' north might be Leavenworth's intended star. If Leavenworth reversed his directions, then NGC 1307 = NGC 1304. RNGC calls NGC 1307 nonexistent. See Corwin's notes.
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03 22 28.6 -02 45 27; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45°
17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located within a small group of four stars including two mag 11 stars 1.5' E and 1.9' NNW, also a pair of mag 13.5 stars lie 2' WSW. These four stars form an isosceles trapezoid.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1308 = H. II-568 on 30 Sep
1786 (sweep 608), recording "eF, S, iF. In the midst of 3 or 4 stars; the
following thereof is the brightest."
His position and description of the nearby stars is an exact match with
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03 22 06.3 -15 24 00; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (1/1/92): fairly bright, moderately large, halo
gradually increases to brighter middle, faint almost stellar nucleus,
well-defined halo slightly elongated SW-NE. Located 4' NE of mag 7.5
8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, small, round. A mag 8 star is 4' SW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1309 = H. I-106 = h2523 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451), logging it as "cB, cL, irregularly round, bM, 3' diameter." John Herschel described it as "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, pos from a * 7 mag = 31°, difference in RA 7.5 sec, * 4' S."
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03 21 03.5 -37 06 07; For
V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 95°
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, moderately large, the halo is
slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.8'x1.4'.
The halo is weakly concentrated to a slightly brighter, 1' round
core. Located 20' WNW of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1310 = h2524 on 22 Oct 1835 and
reported "vF, R, pL, very little brighter middle; 90 arcsec." His position is 2' S of
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03 20 07.2 -52 11 11; Hor
V = 13.0; Size 3.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 40°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 2.2'x0.6', broad concentration with a large, brighter core but no distinct nucleus. Located 9.5' S of mag 8.4 HD 20916. Member of the Dorado Group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1311 = h2525 on 24 Dec 1837,
recording it as "F, mE in position 37.3 degrees; gradually brighter in the
middle, 2' long, 15 arcseconds broad.". His position and description is accurate. NGC 1311 and
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03 23 41.7 +01 11 05; Tau
= **, Corwin.
Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 1312 = HN 23 on 16 Dec 1859
with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone
Survey of equatorial stars. He
simply noted "a circular nebulosity", but at his exact position is a
double star at 03 23 41.7 +01 11 05 (J2000). Bigourdan was unable to find this object and Karl Reinmuth,
in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, mentions "perhaps *, ef *
ssf vnr." RNGC, CGCG, UGC,
MCG and RC3 all misidentify
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03 18 16.1 -66 29 53; Tuc
V = 8.7; Size 9.1'x6.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 39°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was the first object I took a look at using the 24" f/3.7 as it was the brightest galaxy I had yet to observe. I was amazed to find a striking, two-armed barred spiral with obvious bright HII knots in the arms! At 200x the main body of the galaxy appeared as a bright oval or wide bar ~4.5'x3.5' oriented SSW-NNE with a central bulge. A relatively short spiral arm emerges from the south-southwest end and hooks towards the northwest. A brighter elongated HII knot (cataloged as [PES80] 5/6), ~30"x20", is embedded within this extension. A mag 15 star is west of the northwest end of this arm.
Just east of the NNE end of the main bar is another brighter HII knot ([PES80] 1), ~30"x15" and oriented E-W. A faint star (or stellar knot) is less than 1' NW. This bright HII region is embedded in a diffuse arm that curves gently east-southeast from the north end of the bar. After the bright knot, this extension dims but ends at [PES80] 3, a third bright knot ~15" diameter, which is isolated at the end of the arm (nearly due east of the core). The HII designations are from a 1980 study by Page, Edmunds and Smith in MNRAS, 193, 219.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1313 = D 206 = D 207 = D 205? =
h2528 on 27 Sep 1826. He described
D 207 as "a faint ill defined nebula about 1 1/2' diameter, round figure,
a very minute star south slightly involved in the margin - a bright star about
20' south of the nebula." His
reduced position was 13' too far east but the declination was incorrectly
transcribed, so his published position was off by 30'. D 206 was described as "a faint
ill-defined nebula, rather extended in the direction of the meridian [N-S],
with several exceedingly minute stars in it." Finally D 205 was placed 1.4° too far west and 10' small,
but the description fits: "a very faint small nebula, north following a
pretty bright star [mag 8.7
John Herschel only observed this bright galaxy on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and logged "pB, irreg round or little extended, vL, very gradually brighter middle, resolvable, 3'."
Joseph Turner observed and sketched the galaxy on 13 Nov 1878 with the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope (p.194 of logbook). He sketched the central bar oriented N-S, broader on the south end and tapering on the east end. Just north of end of the "bar" he sketched a small knot, probably a HII region. A small elongated patch was seen just east of the north end of the bar, oriented NW-SE (part of the eastern spiral arm). A symmetric elongated patch was shown just west of the south end, also oriented NW-SE (this is the brightest section of the western arm).
Pietro Baracchi also observed the galaxy on 4 Dec 1885 and wrote, "pB, vL, irregular, pretty much brighter middle. This object is complicated. It seems to have appendages not quite detached from the main body but alomost separated from it by two very faint portions which seem at first void of nebula, giving a first impression of three detached nebulae, the middle of which is large, elongated due N and S and gradually pretty much brighter middle and the other two, small very faint patches one north and one south of the middle one. The north one pretty much brighter than the south one - but these three individualities are connected by extremely faint nebulous intervals. Another extremely faint pretty large round flat object south-preceding [NGC 1313]. I believe this is a new nebula." His sketch includes this object as a diffuse patch labeled as "New?" on the southwest side. At his position is the HII complex [PES80] 8, which is situated between the central part of the galaxy and a mag 10 star 7.6' SW of center. [PES80] 1 is also shown on the sketch as a brighter patch on the NE end of the galaxy.
NGC 1313 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as possibly a "2-branch spiral."
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03 22 41.2 -04 11 12; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.8
17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Appears as a low surface brightness glow just north of a mag 12 star [52" from center].
17.5" (1/7/89): not seen.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1314 = LM 2-367 on 18 Jan
1887 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and
recorded "mag 16.0, 2.0' diameter, E 170°, mag 10 star with an eF nebula
south, *16 in middle?" There
is nothing at his position but 1.1 tmin of RA west is
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03 23 06.6 -21 22 31; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (12/28/00): moderately bright, slightly elongated
NW-SE, 1.5'x1.3', moderate concentration with a bright core. Located 21' NW of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1315 = h2526 on 13 Nov 1835,
logging "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcsec." His position is accurate. The same
night he also found
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NGC 1316 = Arp 154 = Fornax A = ESO 357-022 = MCG -06-08-005 = PGC 12651
03 22 41.7 -37 12 30; For
V = 8.5; Size 12.0'x8.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 50°
17.5" (11/26/94): very bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, about 2.5'x1.5'. Dominated by an intense 40"x30" core which brightens to a non-stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 1317 6.3' N. Brightest member of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (9/25/81): bright, round, slightly elongated, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1317 7' N.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1316 = D 548 = h2527, along with
John Herschel first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 (seep 636) and noted "vB; pL; lE; very small & very much brighter middle to a nucleus 2" in diameter." On 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801) he logged "vB; vL; 4' diameter; 1st gradually, then very suddenly very much brighter towards the middle to a stellar ncl."
NGC 1316 is the brightest member of the Fornax cluster and is also known as Fornax A, one of the closest and most famous radio sources in the southern hemisphere. Its radio lobes extend several degrees of sky. Arp classified it as a disturbed galaxy with interior absorption -- like Centaurus A, NGC 1316 contains an extensive system of dust filaments as well as low surface brightness shells and tidal tails, indicating a likely merger. Four supernovae have exploded since 1980.
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NGC 1317 = NGC 1318 = NGC 1392 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653
03 22 44.4 -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 78°
17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, fairly small, 1.2' diameter, even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Forms a bright pair with NGC 1316 6.3' S. Located at the southwest end of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (9/25/81): faint, small, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1316 7' S.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1317 = D 547 = h2529, along with NGC 1316, on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta. He described "a small faint round nebula about 15 arcseconds in diameter." and his position is ~15' too far ENE. John Herschel first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 and noted "pB, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." His second sweep he recorded it as "pB, pL, 1' diameter; a miniature of the last neb. of this sweep." Julius Schmidt independently found the galaxy on 19 Jan 1865 and thought it was new, because JH made an typo of 20 degrees in NPD for h2529 in the CGH catalogue. JH corrected the NPD in the addendum of the catalogue, but apparently Schmidt didn't check.
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03 22 44.4 -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 78°
See observing notes for NGC 1317.
Julius Schmidt found NGC 1318 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory in his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "a" in his table). His position is almost identical to NGC 1317 = h2529. Schmidt assumed this nebula was "new" in his 1876 paper since he was working from John Herschel's Cape Catalogue. In the original listing for h2529, Herschel made an typo of 20 degrees in NPD but he corrected this mistake in the addendum of the catalogue. Apparently Schmidt didn't check his correction list. Dorothy Carlson and RNGC list this number as "Not Found".
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NGC 1319 = ESO 548-006 = MCG -04-09-003 = PGC 12708
03 23 56.5 -21 31 39; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 27°
17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.6'. Increases to a small brighter core and occasional quasi-stellar nucleus. Located 6.8' due west of NGC 1325! A mag 14 star lies 0.8' NW of center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1319 = h2533 on 13 Nov 1835 and
logged it as "F; S; R; bM; 15"; precedes IV-77 [NGC 1325]." His position matches
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03 24 48.7 -03 02 33; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 135°
24" (12/17/22): at 327x; fairly bright, moderately
large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1' length, small high surface brightness core.
Forms an interacting pair with
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE, moderate concentration, small bright core, faint halo. First of four in the field and forms a close pair with NGC 1321 1.7' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1320 = H. III-197 = h298 = h2530, along with NGC 1321, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280). He described the pair as "Two. Both excessively faint, verified with 240x but with 157x I had but a very distant suspicion of them." John Herschel made observations from both Slough, England as well as the Cape of Good Hope.
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NGC 1321 = MCG -01-09-035 = Mrk 608 = PGC 12755
03 24 48.6 -03 00 56; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45°
24" (12/17/22): at 327x; fairly bright, elongated 5:2 E-W, 30"x12", high surface brightness. Forms a bright pair with NGC 1320 1.7'.
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, elongated ~E-W, bright core. Appears slightly smaller but higher surface brightness than NGC 1320 1.7' S. Second of four in the field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1321 = H. III-196 = h297 = h2531, along with NGC 1320, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280). He described the pair as "Two. Both eF, verified with 240x but just suspected with 157x." John Herschel observed the pair from both Slough on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), as well as the Cape of Good Hope on 5 Oct 1831 (sweep 739) .
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NGC 1322 = MCG -01-09-037 = PGC 12761
03 24 54.7 -02 55 09; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 100°
24" (12/17/22): at 327x; moderately bright, fairly
small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 30" diameter, small bright core increases
to a very small bright nucleus.
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Third of four in the field and appears slightly fainter than the NGC 1320/NGC 1321 pair. NGC 1321 lies 6' SSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1322 = h2553 on Oct 5 1836 and logged "F, R, bM, 15", the 3rd of three [with NGC 1320 and 1322]." His position was accurate.
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03 24 56.1 -02 49 19; Eri
V = 15.0; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 85°
24" (12/17/22): at 327x; faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 20"x15". A mag 14.5 star (close double) is 30" SW of center. Northernmost of four in a 13' N-S string with NGC 1322 5.8' S. NGC 1320/1321 at the S end lie in the foreground.
17.5" (11/25/87): very faint, extremely small, round. Located 30" NE of a mag 14 star. Fourth of four in a group, with two pairs at different separations. NGC 1322 and 1323 have similar redshifts.
Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 1323 on 2 Nov 1850 (Saturday) while reobserving the field containing NGC 1320 and 1321. Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone, as he visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. The description reads, "suspected neb (or perhaps only a star) with a F* close sp." It's possible Stoney found this galaxy earlier on 19 Dec 1848. He mentioned a "star or nebula about 2 1/2' north of [NGC 1322]. But the separation is nearly 6' and there is an extremely faint star 2' NNE of NGC 1322, which is more likely the object seen on that date. The Eridanus quartet was observed a total of 14 times at Birr Castle!
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03 25 01.7 -05 44 44; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135°
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1324 = H. III-445 = h299 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), logging "vF, pS, E." On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel noted, "vF; pmE; 20" long, 12" broad."
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NGC 1325 = ESO 548-007 = MCG -04-09-004 = UGCA 70 = LGG 097-002 = PGC 12737
03 24 25.6 -21 32 36; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 4.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 56°
17.5" (12/28/00): bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 3.0'x1.3', broad concentration with a large, brighter core. A mag 11.5 star is embedded in the northeast end. The southwest end is better defined and clearly tapers down, giving a lens-like appearance. The edge of the halo is more ill defined to the northeast of the star.
Second brightest in the
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, pretty edge-on 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration. A star is attached at the northeast end and a mag 13.5 star is 1.5' SE of center. Located in a small group with NGC 1319 6.8' W and NGC 1325A. NGC 1325A is faint, moderately large, round, but very diffuse.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1325 = H. IV-77 = h2534 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091). He described "a star about 9 or 10m with a nebulous ray to the south-preceding side. The ray is about 1.5' long. The star may not be connected with it." John Herschel described and sketched this galaxy from South Africa on 11 Nov 1835: "A complete telescopic comet; a perfect miniature of Halley's, only the tail is rather broader in proportion; mE; 90" l; the star at the head = 10 mag. See fig 17, Pl VI."
Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 15 Nov 1875 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 8 1/2). He noted it appeared "much fainter than Herschel's sketch shows it - It seems to be much altered since he observed it." Instead of the tip of the galaxy at the brighter star (called "a perfect miniature of Halley's" by Herschel), Turner sketched a thin section of the galaxy, skirting around the start and extending further northeast.
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03 23 56.4 -36 27 52; For
V = 10.5; Size 3.9'x2.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 77°
17.5" (11/26/94): bright, fairly small, round, 1.3' diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core and bright stellar nucleus. On a line with three mag 13 stars 2.7' and 4.2' WSW and 3.6' to the ENE. A brighter mag 11 star lies 4.3' NNW. Located on the SW side of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (9/25/81 and 10/31/81): faint, fairly small, round, bright core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1326 = h2535 on 29 Nov 1837, recording it as "60" diameter, very small & very much brighter middle to a nucleus, ? a disc." His position is accurate (on the SE side of the halo).
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03 25 23.2 -25 40 46; For
V = 14.7; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 176°
24" (12/1/13): at 260x appeared very faint, very small,
elongated 3:2 N-S, 18"x12".
Visible ~80% of the time with averted. Situated 2.5' ENE of a mag 10.7 star.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1327 = LM 1-105 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and placed roughly at 03h 25m -25d 41' (2000). His description simply includes a magnitude of 16.3 for the nucleus, and the comment "neb?". Southern Galaxy Catalogue, ESO-LV, RC3 and Uranometria 2000 (2nd edition) identify NGC 1327 = ESO 481-026 at 03 25 23.2 -25 40 46 (2000). This galaxy is within 1 minute of RA and a reasonable match in position and description.
NGC 1327 was described by Delisle Stewart (based on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901) as "3 very faint stars, close stars, no nebula." ESO/Uppsala also identified a pair of stars with a wider third star about 8' NW of this galaxy as possibly NGC 1327, although they stars are too bright to be Stone's object. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent and it is missing from the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas. See my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.
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03 25 39.1 -04 07 30; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 130°
17.5" (11/25/87): faint to fairly faint, very small,
round, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus. Located 4.6' SW of mag 8.7
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, slightly brighter core. Located ~5' SW of a mag 8 star.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1328 = LM 2-368 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.5 tmin of RA east of
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03 26 02.6 -17 35 29; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35°
17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, slightly elongated
SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5'. Contains a small
bright core, ~10" in size and a faint stellar nucleus with direct
vision. A mag 11.5 star lies 4.0'
S. Located 9' NE of mag 9 SAO
148955. A faint edge-on galaxy
(
John Herschel discovered NGC 1329 = h2536 on 11 Dec 1835 and
commented "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30 arcsec.". His
position matches
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03 29 04.1 +41 40 30; Per
24" (2/14/15): at 225x appears as small, fuzzy patch with 1 star often resolving [probably the mag 15 star at the northwest end. At 375x, a second mag 15.5 star just 15" E was cleanly resolved. At 450x, a third mag 16 star was resolved.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1330 = St. 12-26, along with
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NGC 1331 = IC 324 = ESO 548-019 = MCG -04-09-012 = LGG 097-025 = PGC 12846
03 26 28.3 -21 21 19; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2
13.1" (10/10/86): faint, fairly small, almost round. Located 2' SE of NGC 1332.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1331 = H. III-959 on 19 Dec
1799 (sweep 1091). He recorded
"The second is close to it [NGC 1332], or about 1 1/2' south following the
former; it is very faint, very small." His single position on this sweep is 22 seconds of RA too
small and happens to fall close to
Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 26 Nov 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 9) as well as Pietro Baracchi on 7 Jan 1885.
Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 3 Dec
1888 and placed it accurately (B. 142, later
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NGC 1332 = ESO 548-018 = MCG -04-09-011 = UGCA 72 = LGG 097-003 = PGC 12838
03 26 17.1 -21 20 04; Eri
V = 10.3; Size 4.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 120°
13.1" (10/10/86): bright, moderately large, very bright core, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.6'. A faint mag 14-14.5 star is just southwest of the core. Forms a pair with NGC 1331 = IC 324 2.8' SE (collinear with the major axis). NGC 1332 is the brightest in a group with NGC 1315, NGC 1319, NGC 1325, NGC 1331 and Holmberg VI (NGC 1325A).
8" (12/6/80): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, bright core, diffuse halo. NGC 1331 not seen.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1332 = H. I-60 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331). He logged "very bright, small, little extended, much brighter middle." He made a second observation using the front view (without a secondary) on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and discovered NGC 1331. He recorded both as "Two, the 1st [NGC 1332] very bright, small bright nucleus with faint branches from np to sf." The RA order of NGC 1331 and 1332 is reversed in the GC and NGC, despite Herschel's noting that III. 959 (NGC 1331) was 1 1/2' SE of I. 60 (NGC 1332). So the pair is out of RA order.
Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 26 Nov 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 9) as well as Pietro Baracchi on 7 Jan 1885.
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03 29 19.7 +31 24 57; Per
Size 9'x7'
18" (1/20/07): fairly large, striking reflection nebula with a 10th magnitude star at the NE end. The nebula curves to the southwest ending with a 1' brighter knot with very faint star involved near its edge. A couple of mag 14 stars are superimposed between the mag 10 star and the knot. The total size is roughly 7'x4'. The surrounding region (particularly to the north) is nearly starless and clearly affected by dust. This region has a number of Herbig-Haro objects and is an active star formation region.
17.5" (2/9/02): bright, interesting reflection nebula
at 140x. Apparently illuminated by
a mag 10 star oddly offset at the NE end of the glow. The appearance is irregular; extending ~10'x6' SW-NE in the
general direction of a mag 10 star 11' SW. The SW extension contains a couple of faint mag 14 stars and
ends at a small, brighter knot that appears to surround a very faint star or
stars. The field is oddly void of
faint stars and there is a large starless region to the north (this is the dark
nebula
17.5" (12/7/90): fairly bright reflection nebula surrounds a mag 10 star that is offset to the northeast side of the nebula. This is a large object, about 10'x6' and elongated SW-NE. There is a bright knot in the southwest end. Two or three 15th magnitude stars are superimposed.
13.1" (11/29/86): fairly bright nebula, large, extends SSW of a mag 9.5 star, oval, slightly brighter at the south edge.
Eduard Schönfeld discovered NGC 1333 = Au 17 on 31 Dec 1855 with a 3-inch Fraunhofer refractor at Bonn Observatory, while measuring stars for the BD catalogue (NGC 1333 received the number BD +30° 548). He noted it as a nebulous star. The discovery was not announced until 1862 in AN 1391 and Auwers included it the same year as #17 in his "Verzeichnis neuer Nebelflecke" (list of new nebulae). In the meantime Horace Tuttle independently discovered the object on 5 Feb 1859 with a 3-inch comet-seeker and Bond (director of Harvard College) announced it as new in 1859MNRAS..19..224B: "it follows a star of the 9-10 mag by 6 seconds, and is 2' north of it. It is barely visible in a telescope of 3 in aperture."
In September 1862 d'Arrest noted it was as faint as a Herschel nebula of third class with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen, but since Tuttle's (independent) discovery was made using a 3-inch scope, he thought it might be a variable nebula (a popular topic among visual observers). Winnecke also took the view that it "must be a new one" as it was listed neither in the Slough catalogue nor Auwers' lists. Based on all the observations, Schönfeld reached the conclusion this case was a "...striking example of how the visibility of very faint, large diffuse nebulae depends on the magnification, air transparency and adaptation to the dark of the eye, so that, compared with ordinary fixed stars, aperture takes a back seat." In 1914 Barnard photographed the region at Yerkes Observatory and noted the nebula appeared "roundish and not symmetrical with respect to the star - its center seems to be several minutes to the south." Summarized from Harold Corwin's identification notes and Steinicke's "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".
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03 30 01.8 +41 49 57; Per
V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 115°
24" (2/14/15): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~0.6'x0.3', broad concentration to a brighter core, which increases to a fairly weak nucleus. A mag 13.5-14 star is 1.0' NW of center. A mag 15.5 star is at the eastern end [30" E of center] and a similar star is at the north edge of the core. Located on the east side of AGC 426.
17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is just off the WNW tip. An extremely faint stellar nucleus seen for moments. NGC 1335 lies 16' SSE. This is a possible outlying member of AGC 426.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1334 = Sw. 8-37 on 14 Feb
1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, pL,
35", No nucl. A mag 16 star precedes by 9.6 seconds due west." His position and description matches
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NGC 1335 = UGC 2762 = MCG +07-08-019 = CGCG 541-018 = PGC 13015
03 30 19.5 +41 34 22; Per
V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 165°
24" (2/14/15): fairly faint to moderately bright,
fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 30"x18". Contains a bright, elongated small core. Located 3' N of mag 9.0
17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round, an
extremely faint star is possibly involved, can just hold steadily with
averted. Located 4' N of mag 8.5
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1335 = St. 12-27, along with NGC 1330, on 13 Oct 1869. His rough, unpublished position is 13' to the NW of this galaxy, so the identification is not uncertain. His published micrometric position in list 12 (#27) was reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and is accurate. UGC doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1335.
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NGC 1336 = ESO 358-002 = MCG -06-08-016 = LGG 096-009 = PGC 12848
03 26 32.2 -35 42 50; For
V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 22°
18" (12/22/11): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.0'x0.7. Broad concentration but no distinct core. Observation may have been through thin clouds. Located 12' WSW of mag 5.7 Chi 2 and 15' NNE of mag 6.4 Chi 1!
17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:2 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x1.4'. Gradually increases to a large, brighter core. Situated within a group of several mag 6 stars and located 13' W of mag 5.7 Chi 2 and 14' NNE of mag 6.4 Chi 1! Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1336 = h2537 on 22 Oct 1835 and
recorded on his last of 3 observations "vF, lE, 40 arcsec." His position matches
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03 28 05.8 -08 23 21; Eri
V = 11.9; Size 5.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 145°
13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, even surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1337 = Sw. 3-26 on 10 Nov 1885
with his 16" refractor and recorded "vL; vE nearly in meridian;
eF." His position
matches
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03 28 54.5 -12 09 12; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 55°
48" (10/22/11): at 488x this bright, fairly large,
roundish galaxy has an interesting structure. Off center within the glow is a bright "bar" that
extends 1' from NW to SE. The bar
contains a small bright core and a stellar nucleus. Surrounding the bar feature is 1.2' roundish halo, that is
more extensive on the SW side but with a noticeably lower surface
brightness. The halo on the NE
side of the bar is brighter but smaller.
Located 2.0' W of a mag 10 star and 6' SW of mag 8.8
17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, even surface brightness. Located 2' W of a mag 10.5 star and 6' SW of mag 8.5 SAO 148982.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1338 = St. 13-24 on 18 Dec
1883. His published micrometrical
position was measured on 15 Dec 1884 and matches
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03 28 06.5 -32 17 11; For
V = 11.6; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 172°
18" (12/22/11): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 ~N-S, 0.9'x0.6'. Has a high surface brightness and evenly increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Located 6' SE of double star HJ 3578 = 9.2/12.6 at 27".
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, very compact, round, bright core. An uneven mag 10.5/13 double star at 30" separation lies 6' NW. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1339 = h2538 on 18 Nov 1835 and logged "pB, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 40 arcsec." On a later sweep he noted "B, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle; a double star precedes." The double star (HJ 3578) is 5.8' NW.
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03 28 19.1 -31 04 05; For
V = 10.4; Size 6.0'x3.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 165°
18" (12/22/11): very bright, fairly large, elongated
2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3'x1.5'. Contains a
very large, faint halo but sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated
core that increases to the center.
Mag 10
17.5" (11/26/94): bright, moderately large, elongated
2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.0', well concentrated with a very bright 30" round
core and a bright stellar nucleus.
Forms an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.7
8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1340 = h715 on 19 Nov 1835 and
logged "vB, lE, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 45 arcsec". There is nothing at his position but
exactly 10' S is
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03 27 58.4 -37 08 58; For
V = 12.3; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 134°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 12 star is off the SE end 0.9' from center. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1341 = h2540 on 29 Nov 1837 and
noted "F, S, R; has a star 12th mag following." His position and description matches
NGC 1341 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "vE at 140°."
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03 31 36 +37 22; Per
V = 6.7; Size 14'
17.5" (12/23/92): about 100 stars mag 9-14 in 15' diameter, scattered in chains and loops. Two mag 8 stars off the NE side are probably field stars, a nice double star is at the west end. There are several striking star lanes at low power including a long stream oriented E-W. A line of six stars oriented NW-SE forms the SW side and terminates at an easy double star. The NW end is near the striking double star (10.4/11.2 at 14". The field has a large variation of magnitudes.
8": bright, large, scattered, consists of mag 8 stars and fainter.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1342 = H. VIII-88 = h301 on 28 Dec 1799 (sweep 1092). He described "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, about 15' diameter." This was the last open cluster that he discovered, though it was observed again on 14 Jan 1801 (sweep 1094).
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03 37 49.7 +72 34 17; Cas
V = 12.7; Size 2.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 80°
48" (11/2/13): bright, large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, ~2.2'x1.1', unusually sharply concentrated with a blazing, round core ~0.4' diameter, which is punctuated by a faint stellar nucleus. Two faint stars [14" separations] are superimposed within the eastern side of the halo and faint spiral arcs were visible in the outer halo. An extremely faint companion, identified in NED as HFLLZOA G134.74+13.65, was seen as a very low surface brightness patch 1.2' NE of center. A relatively wide pair of stars (h2190 = 13/14 at 15" separation) is 1' NNW of center. This is an unusual "nuclear ring" galaxy with intense starburst activity in the ring.
17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, fairly small, large brighter core, extremely faint halo elongated 2:1 E-W. A double star (h2190 = mag 13/14 at 15" separation) is off the NNW edge 1.0' from the center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1343 = H. III-694 = h300 on 11 Oct 1787 (sweep 764) and noted "vF, vS, irr R, bM. 360 confirmed it." John Herschel made two observations, recording on 29 Oct 1831 (sweep 378), "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15". Close to the double star h 2190." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1344 = NGC 1340 = ESO 418-005 = MCG -05-09-005 = AM 0326-311 = LGG 096-004 = PGC 12923
03 28 19.6 -31 04 05; For
V = 10.4; Size 6.0'x3.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 165°
18" (12/22/11): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3'x1.5'. Contains a very large, faint halo but sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to the center. Mag 10 SAO 194317 lies 5.5' N and mag 9.6 HD 21668 lies 6' E.
17.5" (11/26/94): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.0', well concentrated with a very bright 30" round core and a bright stellar nucleus. Forms an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.7 SAO 194325 6' E and mag 10.4 SAO 194317 5.5' N of center. Outlying member on the north side of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1344 = H. I-257 = h2542 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972). He recorded "considerably bright, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle, about 1.5' diameter." His position was accurate, though for some reason the RA in the NGC is 21 seconds too large. Precessing the 2000 coordinates back to 1790 equinox, the declination was -31° 48', making NGC 1344 the third most southerly deep sky object (second most southern galaxy after NGC 1366) that Herschel discovered. The altitude was only 6.6° as it crossed the meridian.
John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 19 Nov 1835 and assumed it was new, but his position was 10' too far north and it was catalogued again as GC 715 = NGC 1340. So, NGC 1344 = NGC 1340, with NGC 1344 the primary designation. The RA was corrected in Robert Baker's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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03 29 31.7 -17 46 42; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 33°
17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.5'. Contains a brighter, elongated core. A trio of mag 9.5-10.5 stars (with nearly equal sides of 4'-5') lies ~5' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1345 = h2541 and noted
"vF, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 20 arcsec.". His
position is an exact match with
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03 30 13.3 -05 32 36; Eri
V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80°
24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small,
oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.45', very small brighter core. A mag 13.4 star is just
0.6' W of center. Member of a
small group (USGC S125) that also incudes
NGC 1346 forms an interacting pair with
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, slightly
elongated, bright core. A mag 13.5
star is just 30" W. Located
13' WSW of mag 8.1
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1346 = St. 8b-12 on 1 Dec 1875. He measured an accurate micrometrical position (list 8b, #12) on 15 Dec 1876 and noted it followed a mag 13 star by 2.2 seconds (of time).
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03 29 41.8 -22 16 45; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (2/5/21): at 200x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness. At 260x, there was a weak central concentration. The companion wasn't seen in very poor seeing.
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, moderately large, irregularly
round, 1.2' diameter, weakly concentrated. A very faint companion at the S edge was not seen. Located 14' N of mag 6.8
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1347 = LM 2-369 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.8', E 130°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a
nucleus." His position is
only 8 sec of RA east of
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03 34 09 +51 25 12; Per
Size 6'
18" (11/23/05): at 225x, this unimpressive cluster appears ~4'x3', elongated NW to SE with roughly 20 stars resolved. Includes two mag 10.5-11.5 stars, a few mag 12 stars with the remainder mag 13-15. The stars are fairly evenly distributed with a couple of tight clumps of stars on the south side. Appears fairly well detached in a low power field, though not eye-catching. Located two degrees NE of Alpha Persei (Mirfak).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1348 = H. VIII-84 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and noted "a cluster of small stars, not very rich." This is a reddened cluster (see Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.387, p.479-486, 2002) at a distance of roughly 6000 light years.
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03 31 27.5 +04 22 51; Tau
V = 13.0; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.2
17.5" (10/21/95): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, very weak even concentration to a quasi-stellar nucleus. Located along the hypotenuse of a small right triangle formed by three mag 13.5 stars with the nearest star 1.6' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1349 = Sw. 6-13 on 20 Dec 1886
with his 16" refractor and reported "eeF; S; R; between 2
stars." His position is 10
tsec E and 1' S of
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03 31 07.9 -33 37 42; For
V = 10.3; Size 5.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0°
18" (12/22/11): bright, large, oval 2:1 N-S,
3.0'x1.4'. Sharply concentrated
with a very bright oval core surrounded by a much fainter halo. The core steadily increases to a very
small, brighter, quasi-stellar nucleus.
Located 6' SW of mag 7.2
17.5" (11/26/94): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S. The halo appears about 3'x2' although difficult determine the exact dimensions as the halo fades gradually into the background. Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" round core and stellar nucleus. A very faint star is just west of the south extension and two mag 12 stars are 2.7' SE and 3.0' E of center. Located 6' SW of mag 7.2 SAO 194353. Fornax I cluster member.
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1350 = D 591 = h2545 on 24 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW. He noted (single observation) "a very faint small ill-defined nebula, south-following [preceding] a small star." He probably was referring to the mag 7.2 star 6' NE. His position was fairly poor, nearly 15' to the SE.
John Herschel observed the galaxy in his sweep of 19 Oct 1835, logging "bright, large, much elongated, but with a round nucleus much brighter than the environing faint atmosphere. PD roughly taken. Transit missed, the observation having been lost by relying on the RA given by Mr. Dunlop's Catalog (3h 25m) which is too great. That here set down is assumed at random as probably nearer the truth." His approximate position was corrected by DeLisle Stewart based on a photograph taken between 1898 and 1901 at Harvard College Observatory's Arequipa Station and repeated in the IC 2 Notes.
Harold Knox-Shaw also photographed the galaxy at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11 with the 30" Reynolds reflector and described an "oval ring with central star and traces of structure external to this in the form of either another ring or spiral arms".
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03 30 34.9 -34 51 15; For
V = 11.6; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140°
18" (12/22/11): fairly bright, oval 3:2 NW-SE,
0.8'x0.5', high surface brightness.
Brightens evenly to a very small bright core and a quasi-stellar
nucleus. Located 9' SE of mag 9.4
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, bright core. Fornax I cluster member.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1351 = h2544 on 19 Oct 1835 and
reported "pB, R, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 30 arcsec.". His
position matches
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03 31 32.9 -19 16 42; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 134°
17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly
elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration.
Located 4.4' NW of mag 8.4
John Herschel discovered NGC 1352 = h2543 on 11 Dec 1835 and
recorded "eF; S; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; has a * 8 mag
S.f. Very difficult and probably not to be seen without a recently polished
mirror, such as was used in this observation." His position and description matches
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03 32 03.0 -20 49 05; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 3.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 138°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.0', large bright core, stellar nucleus. The halo appears more extensive NW of the core. The major axis is parallel to a mag 11.5 star off the SE end 2.8' from the center.
8" (11/28/81): faint, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core. A mag 12 star is 2.8' SE of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1353 = H. III-246 = h2546 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331). He noted "very faint, elongated, equally bright." On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he reported "considerably bright, considerably large, irregular figure, little elongated from np to sf." John Herschel logged it on 11 Nov 1835 as "bright, much extended, gradually much brighter middle, 90" l, 40" br.
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03 32 29.4 -15 13 16; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 148°
18" (11/23/05): this galaxy was a pleasant surprise as it appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3'. Contains a fairly bright bulging core with fainter extensions that fade and taper at the tips (spindle shape). A mag 14 star lies off the SE end, 1.2' S of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1354 = H. III-487 = h2547 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and recorded "vF, S, E." John Herschel called it "vF, S, lE, gradually little brighter middle, 25" diameter." The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 1355 = MCG -01-10-002 = PGC 13169
03 33 23.5 -04 59 55; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 80°
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very
elongated WSW-ENE, bright core.
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, edge-on WSW-ENE, bright core.
Samuel Hunter, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1355 on 27 Dec 1861. His sketch clearly shows NGC 1355 labeled as Alpha, along with NGC 1358 (close to a double star). Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 1355 on 8 Oct 1864 while observing nearby NGC 1358. He was surprised this nebula was missed by William Herschel and Lord Rosse (unaware of Hunter's observation). Stephan recorded NGC 1355 on 22 Nov 1875 during an observation of NGC 1358, as well as Dreyer on 6 Nov 1877. Dreyer later realized that Alpha on Hunter's diagram was d'Arrest's "nova". Nevertheless, he credited d'Arrest and not LdR with the discovery in the GC Supplement and NGC.
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NGC 1356 = ESO 200-031 = Rose 37 = PGC 13035
03 30 40.6 -50 18 35; Hor
V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 149°
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.2'x1.0'. Weak concentration, though with direct vision a faint, stellar nucleus is visible. With careful viewing the galaxy appeared to be mottled or clumpy.
Forms a close pair with much fainter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1356 = h2549 on 23 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40 arcsec." The next sweep he logged "vF, pL, irregular, near stars." His first position is at the northern tip of the galaxy.
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03 33 17.0 -13 39 49; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85°
13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, moderately large,
round, bright core. Forms the
vertex of an isosceles right triangle with mag 8.1
William Herschel discovered NGC 1357 = H. II-290 = h2548 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364) and recorded "F, pL, R, bM, about 5 or 6' south preceding of a pretty large star." John Herschel logged it twice from the Cape of Good Hope and noted on 8 Dec 1835 "pF, pL, R, 40", near three stars, two of which are 10th mag." Sir Robert Ball, observing with the 72" at Birr Castle on 13 Nov 1866, remarked "cB, pL, bM, either double or with a star [correct] very closely preceding. Observations interrupted by the superb display of shooting stars." According to Wikipedia, the 1866 Leonids produced hundreds per minute and a few thousand per hour in Europe.
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NGC 1358 = MCG -01-10-003 = LGG 103-001 = PGC 13182
03 33 39.7 -05 05 22; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.6'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 15°
17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large,
irregularly round, sharp concentration.
A pretty mag 13 double star at 15" separation is 1.7' ENE. Located 8' W of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with NGC 1355 6.8'
NW. Member of the
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, almost round, small bright core. A faint double star is close east and brighter star to west.
13" (12/18/82): very faint, small, elongated N-S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1358 = H. III-446 = h302 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and noted "vF, S, between some small stars." His position was too far south, but John Herschel measured an accurate position (two observations) copied into the NGC.
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03 33 47.2 -19 29 23; Eri
V = 12.2; Size 2.4'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 139°
17.5" (11/17/01): fairly large oval 4:3 NW-SE,
3.0'x2.5' WNW-ESE, fairly low surface brightness with no significant
concentration. This galaxy has a
disturbed, knotty appearance that was not picked up visually. Brightest in a small group with ESO
548-044 8.5' NE and part of the larger
John Herschel discovered NGC 1359 = h2550 on 12 Oct 1836 and
recorded "F, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2'." His position matches
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03 33 14.6 -25 52 18; For
V = 9.6; Size 460"x320"
18" (1/17/09): superb view at 115x and OIII filter. Appears as a huge oval, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, extends ~6'x4', contains a bright mag 11 central star. This showpiece planetary is clearly asymmetric and notably brighter on the NNE side in a sector extending from the center and fanning out to the north. This brighter region is irregular in surface brightness and slightly dims before brightening along the NNE rim. The south side is slightly fainter and contains a weaker arc or lane.
18" (1/1/08): at 115x; this unusual planetary is a huge oval or irregular egg-shape, ~6'x4', oriented SSW-NNE (PA ~30°) surrounding a very bright mag 11 central star. Excellent contrast with an OIII filter as it really brings out its asymmetric structure. The planetary is noticeably brighter in a fan-shaped wedge spreading out from the central star to the north. At times the northeast rim appeared a bit clumpy. The fainter south side has a slightly darker lane extending to the southeast.
17.5" (11/17/01): At 100x with OIII filter, this huge planetary appears a very large oval 3:2 or 4:3 SSW-NNE, ~6'x4.5' with a striking central star. Appears clearly brighter on the north side of the central star in a section defined by a triangular wedge with apex at the central star. The nebulosity dims a bit on the west side as well as the south.
17.5" (10/8/88): very bright, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 6'x4' diameter, very bright mag 11 central star, almost even surface brightness. Very impressive planetary with or without OIII filter.
14.5" (12/17/20): bright, unusually large PN with a prominent 11th mag central star. Irregular oval or egg shape SSW-NNE, nearly 6'x4'. Noticeably brighter along the north side in a roughly triangle slice extending from the central star. Much weaker on the SE flank. Good contrast gain at 76x and 87x using OIII and UHC filters.
13.1" (10/10/86): very large, oval 4:3, very bright mag 10-11 central star. Impressive at 88x using an OIII filter.
13.1" (10/20/84): large, pale oval ~N-S, bright central star. Appears moderately bright using a filter.
80mm finder (1/1/08): faintly visible at 25x as a dim oval glow surrounding a faint star. Adding an OIII filter significantly increased the contrast and the outline appeared better defined.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1360 in 1859 with his 4.5-inch
comet-seeker. He didn't announce
the observation until 1885, though.
Wilhelm Tempel also discovered it on 9 Oct 1861, along with
In the March 1885 issue of "The Sidereal Messenger: A
Monthly Review of Astronomy" Swift reported that "in 1859 while
searching in Eridanus for comets I ran upon the most conspicuous nebulous star
visible from this latitude - a 7th magnitude star nearly in the center of a
bright nebulosity. As both were so
bright, I, of course, supposed they were well known. Not until five years since was I aware that this wonderful
object was not in the G.C."
Dreyer credited Swift (his earliest discovery) and Winnecke in the
NGC. So, NGC 1360 was
independently "discovered" by four observers, the most (along with
This is one the brightest objects missed by the Herschels as well as by John Dunlop. In 1914, Hardcastle classified NGC 1360 as a spindle-shaped nebula. The following year, Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory reported it wasn't a spindle but was "probably like the Owl", based on a photograph taken with the Reynolds reflector. Minkowski first classified it as definitely a planetary in 1946. A star was incorrectly plotted at the position on the Uranometria 2000 Atlas (first edition) because the CoD and CPD catalogue (used as a source for the U2000) included the central star.
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03 34 17.7 -06 15 54; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 39°
17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration to a very small, brighter core. Situated nearly midway between two mag 12 stars 5' NW and 5' ESE.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1361 = LM 2-370 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 0.2 tmin east and
1' north of
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03 33 53.0 -20 16 56; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 5°
17.5" (12/9/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round,
30" diameter. Steadily
increases to a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. Located 5.4' NNW of mag 8.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1362 = h2551 on 13 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate. William Herschel is credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC, but H. III 960 applies to NGC 1370 (see that number).
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03 34 49.3 -09 50 33; Eri
V = 13.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 45°
17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small,
irregularly round, 0.7'x0.6', very weak concentration. Forms a close pair with
Sherburne Burnham discovered NGC 1363 = Sw. 5-54 with the
18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory on 31 Dec 1877 (Memoirs of
the Royal Astr Soc, Vol 44, p169). At Burnham's offset from a nearby mag
6 star is
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03 34 58.8 -09 50 19; Eri
V = 14.7; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no other details visible. Forms a close pair with NGC 1363 2.3' W. Located 5.6' ENE of mag 6.2 SAO 149047.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1364 = LM 2-371 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory while observing NGC
1363 (previously discovered by Sherburne Burnham). His position is a good match with
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03 33 35.9 -36 08 24; For
V = 9.6; Size 11.2'x6.2'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 32°
48" (10/22/11): stunning view of this huge, barred spiral with the full extent of the long, graceful arms clearly visible and a great deal of structure. The very bright bar runs nearly 3' WSW-ENE and contains an extremely bright core that increases to a striking knotty nucleus that is sliced by a dust lane running SW to NE. The dust lane creates a mini spiral in the center with a bright elongated section south of the lane that has an "arm" attached at its northeast end that curls to the southwest. The section of the nucleus north of the lane appears as a small but brighter arm, gently curving from SW to NE.
The main northern spiral arm is attached at the west end of the bar and has a bright, mottled "knot" as it emerges from the bar and heads north-northeast. This knot contains the HII regions [H69] 23-25 from Paul Hodge's 1969 "HII Regions in Twenty Nearby Galaxies" (ApJS, 18, 73). It was also the site of SN 2001du, a supernova discovered visually by Robert Evans. This arm dims a bit and then brightens along a 1' strip (containing [H69] 19) just northwest of a superimposed mag 13.5 star. The arm then dims significantly but can be easily traced a total length of 6.5', ending just southeast of a mag 13.5-14 star.
The main southern arm emerges on the east-northeast end of the bar as a brighter patch or OB association that contains [H69] 2,3, matching the west end. A group of stars is just beyond this patch to the east. The arm extends ~6.5' SW and is bordered by several stars; a mag 14.5 star is on the south edge before the middle of the arm, a mag 16 star 1.3' due south of this star and two mag 15/16 stars are on the inside (northern edge) beyond the middle of the arm. A very small, very faint knot is near the southwest tip of the arm. The arm dims significantly at this point but bends and continues another 2' NW.
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed SN2012fr, a type Ia supernova, as a mag 12 star situated just 2" west and 52" north of the center of NGC 1365.
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the best visual barred spiral in the sky and although it was only at 33° elevation (well past the meridian), the view was stunning at 200x with its long sweeping arms making a slashing cosmic "Z" in the eyepiece. I was also surprised by the structure in the fairly small, extremely bright core that is embedded in the 3' E-W bar. On the north edge of the mottled core, a very short, hooking appendage extended towards the northeast with a fainter counterpart on the southwest end. This gave the small core the appearance of a tiny barred spiral! At the west end of the bar a bright arm emerges, dramatically sweeping back to the NNE (sharp 110° angle) beyond a mag 13 star that is situated near the 1/3 mark of its total length. The counterpart on the east end of the bar shoots to the southwest, reaching a faint star at its end. The total distance between the tips of the arms is roughly 10'.
20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 127x and 212x, NGC 1365 appeared as an amazing two-armed barred spiral, similar to the photographic appearance. The core is a quite bright, bulging oval embedded in a larger bar oriented ~E-W. Attached at opposite ends of the bar are two long, graceful arms that extend quite a distance and are nearly straight. The arm attached on the west side of the bar wraps around a mag 12.5 star about 1' NW of the core and extends well beyond towards the NNE. The opposite arm attached on the following end is slightly fainter and shoots towards the SSW. The tips of the outer arms dramatically increase the total size of the galaxy.
18" (12/30/08): although a pale imitation of the view from Australia, with careful viewing at 175x the spiral arm attached at the west end of the central bar was faintly visible sweeping to the NNE for ~3' in length. The counterpart on the SE side was not seen.
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, elongated core, large, 3' diameter, very diffuse outer halo. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (1/1/84): fairly bright, fairly large, bright core, diffuse halo, broad concentration.
8" (9/25/81): moderately large, elongated, gradually brighter core.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1365 = D 562 = h2552 on 2 Sep 1826. He described "a pretty large faint round nebula, about 3 1/2' diameter, gradual slight condensation to the centre, very faint at the margin." He made two observations but his published RA was off by a full 10 minutes of time. His handwritten notebook positions are only 9' E and 9' SE, so he clearly made a transcription error (of 3 minutes in time) in his catalogue. As a result, Dunlop wasn't credited with the discovery in the GC or NGC.
John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1365 on 28 Nov
1837 (sweep 801) and described "A very remarkable nebula. A decided link
between the nebula
Albert Le Sueur sketched a pair of dramatic spiral arms, central bar and core as a "Z" shaped figure using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope on 30 Jan 1870 (unpublished plate VII, figure 84). Joseph's Turner sketch (unpublished lithograph plate II, figure 10) on 2 Dec 1875 shows a distinct bar but the outer halo forms a nearly complete oval, so the overall shape is a squashed "Theta". NGC 1365 was probably first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "! open, 2-branch spiral, double nucleus."
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NGC 1366 = LGG 096-029 = PGC 13197
03 33 53.7 -31 11 39; For
V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 2°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, small, bright core,
thin faint extensions 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5'.
Located 6.8' S of mag 6.2
William Herschel discovered NGC 1366 = H. III-857 = h2553 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972). He recorded "very faint, small, irregularly figure, little brighter middle." His position is at the south edge of the galaxy. In 2000 coordinates, NGC 1366 is the 4th most southerly object that Herschel discovered, but precessing his positions back to their discovery dates, NGC 1366 is the most southerly deep sky object that Herschel discovered (-31° 54' for 1790). It appeared at an elevation of 6.6° as it crossed the meridian and the observation was made standing or sitting on steps on the ground, not in the observing gallery. In the same sweep he also discovered the far southern galaxies NGC 1344 and NGC 1097 in Fornax.
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03 35 00.7 -24 56 04; For
V = 10.7; Size 5.6'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright,
elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.5', halo fades into the background. Very bright elongated core 30"
diameter increases to a stellar nucleus.
A mag 8.3 star
8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo.
Ormond Stone found NGC 1367 = LM 1-106 in 1886 with the
26-inch Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 13.0 [bright], *9, nf 5.0'." His rough position is a good match with
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03 34 58.9 -15 39 23; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 108°
18" (11/26/03): very faint, small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE,
0.7'x0.4', weak concentration, very small bright core. Forms an isosceles triangle with a mag
14 star 1.8' ESE and a mag 14.9 2.5' NE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1368 = LM 1-107 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position falls 3' S of MCG -03-10-012 = PGC 13247. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observator. Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 29 Dec 1905 (unpublished J. 4-1503). Finally, Robert Baker listed it as new in his 1937 Harvard catalogue of galaxies in Fornax and Eridanus. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1368.
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NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 = MCG -06-09-004 = LGG 096-019 = PGC 13330
03 36 45.2 -36 15 24; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 12°
18" (12/30/08): faint, fairly small, irregularly round,
~0.9'x0.8', very weak concentration.
Located 4.3' NW of mag 7.2
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1369 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2" Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory. It was found during a survey on the Fornax Cluster (nebula "b" in his table). but there is nothing at his position, which is 9.4' SE of NGC 1365. Interestingly, NGC 1365 is the previous entry in his table (AN 2097, p137) and that position is very accurate. The entry that follows NGC 1369 is a bright star (assigned mag 5.6), which supposedly follows NGC 1369 by 7 sec in RA and 2.4' S, though its position must also be in error. Harold Corwin found that if Schmidt made 3 minute error in RA for both objects (change 27 to 30), then NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 = PGC 13330 and the bright star (4.5' SE) is mag 7.2 HD 22621.
This galaxy was listed in a table of new nebulae found between 1909-11 at the Helwan Observatory, but Knox-Shaw remarked that it was "possibly identical with [NGC] 1369." ESO-LV (surface photometry catalogue) and RC3 identify NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 but the ESO-Uppsala catalogue and MCG don't label this galaxy as NGC 1369. The RNGC calls this number nonexistent.
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NGC 1370 = ESO 548-048 = MCG -03-10-013 = LGG 095-002 = PGC 13265
03 35 14.5 -20 22 26; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50°
17.5" (12/9/01): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4'. Situated exactly midway between two mag 13/14 stars just off the NW and SE flanks (both ~40" from center)! NGC 1362 lies 20' WNW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1370 = H. III-559 = H.
III-960 = h2554 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597). He logged III. 559 as "3 very small stars in a line,
with vF nebulosity. On 19 Dec 1799
(sweep 1091) he recorded III. 960 as "very faint, very small, 300x
confirmed it." His position
on both sweeps are pretty close to
In the CGH catalogue, John Herschel assigned the first H-designation to h2551 (NGC 1362) and the second to h2554 (NGC 1370). Auwers has a note to III. 559, commenting on the large discrepancy in position with h2551 (87 seconds in RA and 4' in Dec). In the GC, Herschel decided to reverse the assignment of his father's numbers and Dreyer copied this in the NGC. But both observations refer to NGC 1370. John Herschel made 3 observations, recording on 11 Dec 1835, "vF; R; situated exactly between 2 stars 14th mag."
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NGC 1371 = NGC 1367 = ESO 482-010 = MCG -04-09-029 = UGCA 79 = AM 0332-250 = LGG 097-012 = PGC 13255
03 35 01.3 -24 56 00; For
V = 10.7; Size 5.6'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135°
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.5', halo fades into the background. Very bright elongated core 30" diameter increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 8.3 star SAO 168653 (wide double at 53" with a mag 11.5 star) is 4.5' NE. NGC 1360 lies one degree SSW.
8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1371 = H. II-262 = h2555 on
17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "F, a little & irr E above 1' in
dia." His position is ~5' N
of
Ormond Stone independently found the galaxy in 1886 and recorded LM 1-106 (later NGC 1367) as "mag 13.0 [bright], *9, nf 5.0'." His rough position is a good match for NGC 1371 and his comment about the nearby star clinches the equivalence. Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin both conclude NGC 1371 = NGC 1367, with NGC 1371 the primary designation.
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03 36 59.7 -15 52 53; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2
18" (11/23/05): very faint, extremely small, round,
15"-20" diameter. A mag
14.5 star lies 1' SW.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1372 = LM 1-108 on 12 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
is 0.9 tmin west of
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03 34 59.2 -35 10 16; For
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 131°
18" (12/17/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
4:3 NW-SE, 40"x30", broad concentration. Smallest and faintest in a trio with
13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, extremely small. First of three with NGC 1374 4.8' SE
and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1373 = h2556 on 29 Nov 1837 and
recorded "eF, vS, the preceding of three [with NGC 1374 and
1375]." His position is quite
poor and lands at the southwest edge of NGC 1374, so clearly there was some
problem with the observation. When
Julius Schmidt observed the field he measured an accurate position for NGC
1374, but was unsure of its identification and has no measurement for NGC
1373. Still, there are only three
galaxies here, and Herschel's description is appropriate for
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NGC 1374 = ESO 358-023 = MCG -06-08-029 = LGG 096-014 = PGC 13267
03 35 16.6 -35 13 35; For
V = 11.1; Size 2.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.9
18" (12/17/11): very bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. Contains a relatively large intense core that increases to the center. Forms a striking pair with NGC 1375 2.3' S of center. NGC 1373 lies 4.9' NW and
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, round, bright core. In a close trio with NGC 1375 2' S and NGC 1373 4.8' NW. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1374 = h2557 (along with NGC 1373 = h2556 and NGC 1375 = h2558) on 29 Nov 1837, recording "vB, pL, lE, gradually much brighter middle, the 2nd of three." His position was 1.6' ENE of center (similar offset as NGC 1375). In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory.
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NGC 1375 = ESO 358-024 = MCG -06-08-030 = LGG 098-002 = PGC 13266
03 35 16.8 -35 15 57; For
V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 91°
18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.4'x0.6'. Broad concentration with a fairly large brighter core. Forms a striking pair with NGC 1374 2.3' N.
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, edge-on streak 3:1 E-W. In a trio with NGC 1374 2.4' N and NGC 1373 6.8' NW. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1375 = h2558 in the Fornax Cluster and described "B, S, lE, pretty much brighter middle; the 3d of 3 [with NGC 1373 and 137] of the same RA as the second." His RA is 7 sec too large, but Julius Schmidt's position (measured on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory and listed as nebula "c") is accurate in RA.
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NGC 1376 = MCG -01-10-011 = LGG 103-002 = PGC 13352
03 37 05.9 -05 02 34; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 95°
17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, diffuse, weak concentration. Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103).
13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, round, moderately large, weak concentration, diffuse.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1376 = H. II-288 = h303 on 28 Jan 1785 (sweep 359) and logged "F, pL, irr R, r." John Herschel measured an accurate position on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), calling it "L; the faintest thing imaginable."
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03 36 39.0 -20 54 05; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 92°
17.5" (12/9/01): moderately bright, fairly small,
elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core, 1.2'x0.6'. Located 11' W of mag 9.5
William Herschel discovered NGC 1377 = H. II-961 = h2560 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and noted "vF, vS." John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope, recording it as "F, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec."
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03 35 58.2 -35 12 40; For
= **, Carlson & ESO. Not found, de Vaucouleurs
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1378 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "d" in his table). His position corresponds with an 11" double star (brighter component mag 13.2) and ESO, Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify NGC 1378 with these two stars.
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03 36 04.0 -35 26 29; For
V = 10.9; Size 2.4'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.8
18" (12/17/11): very bright, fairly large, round, 1.6'
diameter. Well concentrated with a very bright 20" core that increases to
a bright, stellar nucleus.
Slightly larger
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, almost round, bright core, almost stellar nucleus. Forms a right angle with NGC 1387 11.5' SE and NGC 1381 10' NE. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round, bright core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1379 = h2561 on 25 Dec 1835 and
reported a "Globular cluster, pB, R, gradually pretty much brighter
middle, 70 arcsec." His
position corresponds with
In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported it was not resolved visually and showed on continuous spectrum on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector.
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03 36 27.5 -34 58 31; For
V = 9.9; Size 4.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 7°
18" (12/17/11): extremely bright, large, elongated ~5:3 N-S, ~3.0'x1.8'. Sharply concentrated with an intense, elongated core that brightens to the center, though there was no evident nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed ~0.9' SW of center. This is one of the brightest Fornax cluster galaxies.
13.1" (12/22/84): very bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core, faint elongated halo. A very faint mag 14 star is SW of the core 1.2' from the center. Member of Fornax I cluster.
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated, bright core.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1380 = D 574 = h2559 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta. He recorded "a rather faint pretty well-defined elliptical nebula, about 1' long, and 50" broad, a little brighter to the centre." His single position was well off, 19.5' too far ESE, but this is brightest single galaxy he likely picked up. John Herschel also made a single observation on sweep 635 (19 Oct 1835) and logged, "very bright; large; round; pretty suddenly brighter towards the middle; A fine nebula." He added: "The obs. of the place like that of Dunlop 591 above was lost by setting the instrument on the place given in Mr Dunlop's Catalogue, and relying on his RA (3h 31m) which is too great, instead of sweeping over them, when they could not have escaped being regularly taken." In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory.
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NGC 1381 = ESO 358-029 = MCG -06-09-003 = PGC 13321
03 36 31.6 -35 17 43; For
V = 11.5; Size 2.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 139°
18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, fairly large, very
elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.6'x0.5'.
Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core that increases to
the center. A mag 14 star lies
1.8' SE and a similar star is 3' NW.
Situated nearly at the midpoint of a line connecting
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, edge-on 3:1 NW-SE, bright core, faint elongated halo. A mag 14 star is 1.8' SE of center. Member of the Fornax I cluster with NGC 1379 10' SW and NGC 1387 14' SSE.
8" (10/31/81): faint, small, elongated.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1381 on 19 Jan 1865 with the
6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory. It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster on the
same night (nebula "e" in his table published in 1876). His position is an excellent match with
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NGC 1382 = NGC 1380B = ESO 358-037 = MCG -06-09-009 = PGC 13354
03 37 09.0 -35 11 42; For
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 179°
18" (12/17/11): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter. Fairly low surface brightness with only a broad, mild concentration and no core or zones. NGC 1381 lies 9.6' SW.
13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, round, fairly small, very diffuse. On a line with NGC 1381 9.5' SW and NGC 1379 20' SW. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1382 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory. It was found during a survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "f" in his table). There is nothing at his position, but 37 seconds of RA east and 1.7' S is ESO 358-037. This is the only reasonable candidate but his position for NGC 1381 (the previous object is his list) is accurate, so the identification NGC 1382 = ESO 358-037 is uncertain.
Harold Knox-Shaw found this galaxy again on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory and reported it as new in the 1915 observatory bulletin. de Vaucouleurs called this galaxy NGC 1380B in his 1956 "Survey of Bright Galaxies South of -35° Declination", based on Mt Stromlo plates. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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03 37 39.2 -18 20 22; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 91°
17.5" (12/11/99): moderately bright, moderately large,
elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.0'x0.6', well concentrated. Situated between two mag 13/14.5 stars 1.5' SW and NE. First in a group of 7 NGC galaxies
including
John Herschel discovered NGC 1383 = h2562 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "pF, vS, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle." His position is accurate.
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03 39 13.5 +15 49 08; Tau
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 145°
17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' WNW of
center. Located 3.5' WSW of mag
8.6
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1384 = m 90 on 20 Oct 1864 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted a "neb * 13." His position falls very close to a
faint, unequal double star but Harold Corwin notes that 1.6' S is
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03 37 28.8 -24 30 07; For
V = 10.9; Size 3.4'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 165°
48" (10/29/19): at 610x; very bright, large, excellent spiral with an unusual, chaotic appearance! Overall, the galaxy is elongated ~5:3 N-S, ~3.0'x1.8', with a prominent thick bar running ~E-W through the center. A small, bright knot is close north of the west end of the bar.
A brighter, elongated patch (probably a short section of a spiral arm) was easily seen extending north of the bar. Only the initial part of the southern arm attached to the west end of the bar was visible. The main, long spiral arm was rooted on the east end of the bar and stretched well north of the central region. Its surface brightness seemed irregular or patchy. The arm faded and was less defined as it curled clockwise and spread west on the north end of the halo. The south portion of the halo was faint overall (due to dust) but displayed a semi-circular outline due to the very low surface brightness southern arm.
17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately large. Dimensions are 2.5'x2.0' slightly elongated N-S, but with an irregular appearance. A bright bar appears to extend through the galaxy WNW-ESE surrounded by an irregular patchy halo more elongated N-S. Spiral structure is strongly suggested with a spiral arm on the NE side. The galaxy appears more extensive north of the bar. Located within a 10' string of four mag 11-12 stars oriented SW-NE.
8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly small, brighter core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1385 = H. II-263 = h2563 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and recorded "F but less bright than the last [NGC 1371], bM, about 1.5' dia." His position is 4' too far north-northwest. John Herschel called this object "B, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 40 arcsec" and measured an accurate position.
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03 36 46.2 -35 59 58; Eri
V = 11.2; Size 3.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 25°
18" (12/17/11): bright or very bright, large, elongated
5:2 SW-NE, 2.5'x1.0'. Gradually
brighter outer halo, then sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated
core that increases towards the center.
13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE,
bright core. NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE
and NGC 1369 15' S (not observed).
Located 5.2' NNW of mag 9.5
8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, bright core, almost round.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1386 on 19 Jan 1865 with the
6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the
Fornax Cluster (nebula "g" in his table). His position is at the east
edge of
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NGC 1387 = ESO 358-036 = MCG -06-09-007 = LGG 096-016 = PGC 13344
03 36 56.8 -35 30 24; For
V = 10.7; Size 2.8'x2.8'; Surf Br = 12.8
18" (12/17/11): at 285x appeared bright to very bright,
fairly large, round, 2' diameter.
Sharply concentrated with a very bright 25"-30" core that
increases to a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus. Bracketed at low power by NGC 1379 11.5' WNW and
13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, possible faint stellar nucleus. Member of Fornax I cluster. NGC 1381 lies 14' NNW and NGC 1379 11.5' WNW.
8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round, broad concentration.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1387 = h2564 on 25 Dec 1835 and described a "globular cluster, vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, 90 arcseconds, A globular cluster in all probability identical with this, was also seen in Sweep 636, while searching beyond the meridian for Dunlop 562." His position is accurate. He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars (NGCs 1310, 1379, 1399 and 1436). In 1915 Knox-Shaw reported it was similar to 1380 and 1399 "and probably a nebula", based on a photograph as well as a visual observation with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory.
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03 38 12.0 -15 53 58; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Forms the eastern vertex of a triangle with a mag 11.5 star 4.5' W and a mag 13 star 3' SW. NGC 1372 lies 17' W.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1388 = LM 1-109 on 12 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
happens to be fairly accurate in this case, falling 2.4' SE of
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NGC 1389 = ESO 358-038 = MCG -06-09-010 = LGG 098-004 = PGC 13360
03 37 11.7 -35 44 46; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 30°
18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 60"x40". Moderately concentrated with a brighter core and a thin fainter halo. Forms the SW vertex of a trapezoid with a mag 10 star 3' N, and two mag 12 stars 3' E and 3.7' NE.
13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, small, almost round, weak concentration. Member of Fornax I cluster.
8" (1/1/84): faint, small, round.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1389 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory. It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "h" on his list). His position is accurate.
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03 37 52.1 -19 00 30; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 19°
17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4'. Very weak concentration along the major axis. Situated 6' N of a mag 9.8 star and ~40' SW of the NGC 1407 group.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1390 = LM 2-372 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 14.0, 1.0'x0.6', E 260°." There is nothing at his position but 16 sec of RA west and 2' N is ESO 548-054 = PGC 13386, the only nearby candidate. His PA is in error (should read 20°, instead of 260°). The RA was corrected in Robert Baker's 1937 "Catalogue of 1113 Galaxies in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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03 38 52.9 -18 21 15; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 65°
17.5" (12/11/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3
~E-W, very weak concentration.
Located between
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1391 = LM 2-373 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His description reads "mag 15.4,
0.4' dia, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, 1st of 3, one of which is
GC 742 [NGC 1383]. There is
nothing at his position, but 28 tsec of RA east is
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03 22 44.4 -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 78°
See observing notes for NGC 1317.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1392 = Sw. 6-15 on 13 Feb 1887, along with Sw. 6-14, and recorded "vF; pS; R." There is nothing at his position, though Sw. 6-15 was placed ~4.5' N of brighter VI-14. Swift has a long note at the end of his 6th list about VI-14 and VI-15. He assumed VI-14 referred to the "Great Southern Comet" 1887-I, though he found it 3° south of the predicted place. At the end of his paper, H.C.F. Kreutz remarked that the most recent orbital calculations placed Swift's nebula 38 minutes of RA east and 4° south of the position of the comet, so they were likely not related. More of the story which follows, is gleaned from Gary Kronk's book on Lewis Swift and Harold Corwin's IC identification notes.
In the following volume of Astronomische Nachrichten (AN 118, 203), Swift wrote (17 Dec) "I have made two unsuccessful attempts to refind the two objects one of which I thought was very probably Comet 1887-I. The seeing on both occasions were fairly good but not equal that when seen which was exceptionally fine. I am therefore not surprised that the faintest one was not seen as it was a very faint object and though so near the suspected comet was not noticed for some little time. In fact I begin to fear I shall never see the faint one again in consequence of an increased number of electric street lights south of and not far from the observatory."
Barnard also searched for Swift's nebulae and reported on 19 November (AN 118, 173) he strongly suspected Swift's positions were erroneous as he searched for the comet unsuccessfully on 11 and 12 February and would have picked up a brighter object when he covered Swift's position. After later receiving a letter from Swift, he specifically searched for the nebulae again on the 15th of November with a 6.4-inch refractor (at Vanderbilt) and found nothing at Swift's position. But expanding his search area he found two nebulae with the same relative positions and appropriate descriptions that "seems to me that these are Swift's objects". A note was added by A. Krueger, AN's editor, that based on Barnard's position, the two nebulae are GC 697 and 698 (= NGC 1316 and 1317). This would imply Swift made a very large error of 15 minutes of time in RA (too far east), but otherwise these galaxies are a good match with Swift's description and relative positions!
Swift was apparently quite upset by Barnard's remarks and responded in the AN 118 note (5 Jan 1888) that the previous night he observed Barnard's nebulae and "they bear about as much resemblance to mine as the Orion nebula does to the Andromeda nebula. I am now more thoroughly convinced that the suspected object was a comet than I was at first and highly probably was comet 1887 I." Despite Swift's comments, the most likely conclusion is NGC 1392 = NGC 1317 and Sw. 6-14 = NGC 1316.
ESO misidentifies
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NGC 1393 = ESO 548-058 = MCG -03-10-019 = PGC 13425
03 38 38.5 -18 25 41; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170°
17.5" (12/11/99): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1' diameter, bright core. Member of the NGC 1407 group. First of three on a line with NGC 1391 5.6' NE and NGC 1394 10' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1393 = H. III-451 = h2565 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "vF, S, R." John Herschel logged "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30" diameter." Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1391 and NGC 1394 to the NE.
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NGC 1394 = ESO 548-060 = MCG -03-10-021 = PGC 13444
03 39 06.9 -18 17 32; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 5°
17.5" (12/11/99): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', small bright core. A mag 13 star lies 1.6' N. Third of three on a line with NGC 1393 and NGC 1391.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1394 = LM 2-374 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 14.5, 0.4'x0.2', E 170°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus,
3rd of 3." There is nothing
at his position, but 30 seconds of time further east is
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03 38 29.8 -23 01 41; Eri
V = 9.6; Size 5.9'x4.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 126°
13.1" (10/10/86): bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 ~E-W,
very bright core, fainter halo.
Two faint mag 14 stars lie on the west and north edges 1.0' from
center. Brightest in a group of
five with
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1395 = H. I-58 = h2566 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "B, S, lE, mbM." John Herschel recorded "vB, pmE, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 60" long", and measured an accurate position (2 sweeps).
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03 38 06.5 -35 26 24; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 90°
18" (12/17/11): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, ~20" diameter, low surface brightness. Requires averted vision and no details were visible. Located just 4.7' W of NGC 1399 (second brightest galaxy in the Fornax cluster).
18" (12/30/08): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15". Required averted to glimpse though the observation may have been affected by clouds or contrails. Located 4.7' W of NGC 1399 in the Fornax I cluster.
Note: this identification is very unlikely and the number should probably be classified as "lost".
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1396 on 19 Jan 1865 with the
6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the
Fornax Cluster (nebula "i" in his table). There is nothing at his position of 03 38 01 -35 40 17
(2000), and the RNGC classifies NGC 1396 as nonexistent. The Southern Galaxy Catalogue and RC3,
though, identify
But I'm not convinced that Schmidt could have picked up this galaxy with a 6-inch refractor as it was extremely faint in my 18-inch. Harold Corwin took another look at the SGC galaxy in September 2017 and is now also skeptical this is the object seen by Schmidt. See Harold Corwin's historical notes and my RNGC Corrections #6.
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03 39 47.2 -04 40 12; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.4
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1397 = H. III-569 on 30 Sep
1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "eF, lE, easily resolvable." His position (re-reduced by Auwers) is
just 1.3' NE of
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NGC 1398 = ESO 482-022 = MCG -04-09-040 = PGC 13434
03 38 52.0 -26 20 13; For
V = 9.7; Size 7.1'x5.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 100°
17.5" (11/26/94): very bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1, 2.2'x1.1', well concentrated with a very bright 30" rounder core and a stellar nucleus. NGC 1360 lies 1.3° NW. This galaxy has a beautiful inner and outer ring structure on deep images.
14.5" (12/17/20): bright, large, slightly elongated central region at least 1.5' diameter. Strongly and sharply concentrated with a very bright inner core that increases to an intense stellar nucleus. The outer halo is very diffuse and difficult to judge diameter but perhaps 2.5' to 3'.
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, round, bright core.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1398, along with an independent discovery of NGC 1360, on 9 Oct 1861 using his personal 4-inch Steinheil refractor from Marseilles. Tempel didn't announce the discovery until May 1882. In the meantime it was independently found by Friedrich August Winnecke on 17 Dec 1868 with a 4.5-inch refractor by Reinfelder & Hertel at Karlsruhe. It was also found by Eugen Block (announced in AN 2287) on 18 Oct 1879 with a 4-inch refractor at Odessa. This is the brightest galaxy discovered by Tempel (V = 9.7) and the most southerly.
Based on plates taken at the Helwan observatory in 1927-31, NGC 1398 was described as an "oval ring 5' diameter, surrounding a faint, disc 1.5' diameter with a vB central almost stellar ncl, 1/2' with a pF axis E 10°."
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NGC 1399 = ESO 358-045 = MCG -06-09-012 = LGG 096-017 = PGC 13418
03 38 29.0 -35 27 04; For
V = 9.6; Size 6.9'x6.5'; Surf Br = 13.7
18" (12/17/11): very bright, large, round, 3'
diameter. The outer halo has a
fairly low surface brightness but the central portion is sharply concentrated
with a very bright 35" core.
The core continues to brighten significantly to a quasi-stellar
nucleus. A star is superimposed
less than 20" NNE of center.
Brighter of a pair with
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, large faint halo is broadly concentrated, brighter core. A star is superimposed 0.3' N of the center. This galaxy is the second brightest and second largest in the core of the Fornax I cluster. NGC 1404 is 10' SE.
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, round, bright core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1399 = h2569 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded a "globular cluster, vB, pL, pretty suddenly brighter middle, resolvable or resolved, 2'." He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars (NGCs 1310, 1379, 1387 and 1436). In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported it was not resolved visually awith the 30-inch Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory.
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NGC 1400 = ESO 548-062 = MCG -03-10-022 = PGC 13470
03 39 30.8 -18 41 17; Eri
V = 11.0; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 40°
17.5" (12/11/99): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, brighter core, stellar nucleus. Smaller and fainter than NGC 1407 11' NE. Possible member of the NGC 1407 group.
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, small faint halo. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1407 11.6' NE.
8" (10/31/81): faint, very small, round. Situated 11' SW of NGC 1407.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1400 = H. II-593 = h2567 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and recorded "pB, pS, R, resembling the following [NGC 1407], but much less." John Herschel noted "B, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 30"."
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NGC 1401 = ESO 482-026 = MCG -04-09-042 = LGG 097-010 = PGC 13457
03 39 21.9 -22 43 29; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 2.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 130°
13.1" (10/10/86): faint, small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is just 0.4' N of center. NGC 1403 lies 20' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1401 = H. III-247 = h2568 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "eF, vS." His RA was 23 seconds too large, but John Herschel measured an accurate position. I'm surprised neither noted the elongation.
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03 39 30.5 -18 31 37; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 88°
17.5" (12/11/99): fairly faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small brighter core. Located 10' S of NGC 1400 in a group.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1402 = LM 2-376 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position essentially matches ESO 548-061 = PGC 13467.
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NGC 1403 = ESO 482-025 = MCG -04-09-041 = PGC 13445
03 39 10.8 -22 23 18; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 175°
17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, small, 40" diameter, small bright core surrounded by a very faint halo, almost stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is just off the west edge 30" from the center. A bright wide double star mag 8/10.5 at 30" is located 4' NNE. NGC 1401 lies 20' S.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1403 = LM 2-375 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His RA was 0.2 minutes of time too large and it was corrected in Robert Baker's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1404 = ESO 358-046 = MCG -06-09-013 = LGG 094-012 = PGC 13433
03 38 52.1 -35 35 38; For
V = 10.0; Size 3.3'x3.0'; Surf Br = 12.5
18" (12/17/11): very bright, moderately large, round,
1.5' diameter. The outer halo
gradually increases then brightens fairly rapidly to a small, very bright
core. The core increases to the
center but a stellar nucleus wasn't seen.
A mag 12-12.5 star is 45" SE, at the edge of the halo. Mag 8.1
At 285x, supernova 2011iv, discovered on Dec 2, was easily visible just 7" W and 8" N of center. The supernova was similar in brightness to the mag 12-12.5 star at or just off the southeast edge of the halo.
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, fairly small, round, bright
core. Located just 2.8' NNW of mag
8.1
8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, round, bright core. A mag 8 star is close SSE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1404 = h2571 on 28 Nov 1837 and recorded (the following night) "vB, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 40", has a star N.f." His RA was 12 seconds too large and the star is south following but this identification is certain. In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory, though he initially reported it as a new nebula. His later table in 1876 correctly identifies it as h2571.
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03 40 18.9 -15 31 48; Eri
V = 15.6; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 15.1; PA = 153°
17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, fairly small,
elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.3'.
Requires averted to glimpse.
Located 5' NNE of brighter
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1405 = LM 1-110, along with NGC 1413, on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. He logged "mag 16.0, pL, vE 150°, gradually little brighter middle, sev vF st inv." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is accurate and the position angle matches, though no are stars involved (noted first by Herbert Howe in 1900). Howe measured an accurate RA in 1899-00 at Denver.
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03 39 23.1 -31 19 18; For
V = 11.8; Size 3.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15°
13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, moderately large, 3.0'x0.6, brighter core, dims at ends of extensions. Located 16' ESE of mag 7.4 SAO 194416. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1406 = h2572 on 18 Nov 1835 and accurately recorded "F, vmE, very gradually little brighter middle, 2' l, 20" br; *7 mag precedes in parallel."
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NGC 1407 = ESO 548-067 = MCG -03-10-030 = LGG 100-004 = PGC 13505
03 40 11.8 -18 34 48; Eri
V = 9.7; Size 4.6'x4.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35°
24" (1/1/19): at 260x; very bright, very large, round, 2.5'-3' diameter. The galaxy displayed three distinct brightness zones that were sharply delineated. The large halo was fairly smooth, but the sharply concentrated with a very bright core. The core has a sharp brightness spike with an extremely bright nucleus!
A number of galaxies are nearby including NGC 1400 11.5' SW,
NGC 1402 10' WNW,
17.5" (12/11/99): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, bright core, nearly stellar nucleus. Brightest in the NGC 1407 Group (LGG 100), which includes 8 NGC galaxies and IC 343.
13.1" (1/18/85): bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1400 11.6' SW.
8" (10/31/81): bright, small, round, small bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1407 = H. I-107 = h2570 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459). He recorded "B, R, mbM or large nucleus, about 1.5' diameter." He included his sketch (fig. 28) in his 1811 PT publication as an example of "Nebulae that have a Nucleus". John Herschel called it "vB, L, R, first very gradually then very small, very much brighter middle; 3' diameter."
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03 39 24 -35 31; For
= Not found, RNGC, Corwin and ESO.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1408 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "k" in his table). There is nothing near his position, though a 20" pair of mag 14.5/15.5 stars is 1.6' NW and a slightly close pair of mag 13.5/15 star is 4' SE. Either might apply, so this number is considered lost. See Corwin's notes.
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03 41 10.4 -01 18 08; Tau
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130°
24" (2/5/21): NGC 1409 is the brighter southwestern
component of a double system with
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, oval SSW-NNE. This is a contact pair with NGC 1410 - just 14" between centers. At high power appears faint, small, round, small bright core. NGC 1410 is just 15" NE in a common halo. Located on the Eridanus border.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1409 = H. III-263 = h304 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "Suspected, eF, stellar or lE, 240x power rather confirmed it, but left a doubt." His position is 2' south of this double system (with NGC 1410).
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NGC 1410 = VV 729 = III Zw 55 = MCG +00-10-012 = CGCG 391-028 = PGC 13556
03 41 10.7 -01 17 55; Tau
V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 120°
24" (2/5/21): NGC 1410 is the fainter northeastern component of an interacting double system with NGC 1409 [15" between centers]. At 260x; faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, stellar nucleus. Sometimes appears as a "bulge" extending out of the north side of NGC 1409, but resolved clearly at 375x.
17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms a very close contact pair with NGC 1409 on the Eridanus border.
R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's observer, discovered NGC 1410 on 17 Jan 1855. He recorded a "Double neb [with NGC 1409], north and south, both vS, bM. Cannot make out whether there is a connexion between them."
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03 38 44.9 -44 06 02; Hor
V = 11.3; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 6°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very
bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~2'x1.5'. Very sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 20"
core and fairly even surface brightness halo that gradually fades out.
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core. One of farthest southern galaxies easily viewed from Northern California.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1411 = h2573 on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "B, R, very small & very much brighter middle, 20 arcsec." His position is accurate. Harold Corwin suggests Lewis Swift may have found this galaxy again on 3 Oct 1897 at Echo Mountain, but made an error in recording the RA of Sw. 11-55, with the RA 9 min too small (the dec matches). If so, then NGC 1411 = IC 1943. See Corwin's notes for IC 1943.
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03 40 29.3 -26 51 44; For
V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 131°
17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated nearly 2:1 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.7', bright core. Situated in a group of three mag 11/12 stars with a mag 12 star 1.6' SE. Located 38' SE of NGC 1398 in northeast Fornax.
John Herschel found NGC 1412 = h2574 on 20 Nov 1835 and
recorded "F, S, E, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 15"; has a
* S.f. distance 2'." There is
nothing at his position and NGC 1412 was reported as not found on a 60 min
exposure at the Helwan observatory (1935) or on Bruce 24-inch refractor plates
from South Africa (Robert Baker, 1933).
As a result the RNGC classified the number as nonexistent. But 40' due south of Herschel's
position is
Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 26 Dec 1897, placed
it 37 sec of RA too far west (declination matches) in discovery list XI-58 (later
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03 40 11.5 -15 36 39; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1
17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter. A mag 14.5 star is located 1.7' W. Forms a pair with NGC 1405 5' NNE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1413 = LM 1-111 (along
with NGC 1405 = I-110) on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the
Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, vS, R, little
brighter in the middle." His
rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 0.8 min of RA east of
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03 40 57.0 -21 42 48; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 172°
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, fairly small, very elongated
3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.3'. Collinear with
two mag 13 stars 6' S. Forms a
pair with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1414 = LM 2-377 on 19 Nov 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.8, 1.6'x0.1', E 0° (N-S), brighter middle to a nucleus. His description and position is accurate (just off the south side). Herbert Howe corrected position, measured in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, refers to NGC 1422. In Harvard Observatory's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus", Robert Baker noted the "Original NGC position in agreement with present catalogue".
NGC 1414 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "Elongated at 165°."
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NGC 1415 = IC 1983 = ESO 482-033 = MCG -04-09-047 = LGG 097-011 = PGC 13544
03 40 56.8 -22 33 50; Eri
V = 11.9; Size 3.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 148°
17.5" (11/2/91): moderately bright, moderately
large. Contains a bright core with
a bright almost stellar nucleus and a much fainter halo elongated 2:1
NW-SE. A mag 11 star is 2.7' NNW
of center. Forms a wide pair with
NGC 1416 9' S. Located 8.5' ESE of
mag 8.6
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, elongated NW-SE, fairly small, bright core, faint elongated halo.
8" (11/28/81): faint, small.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1415 = H. II-267 = h2575 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and logged "F, vS, R, little brighter in the middle." John Herschel made 3 observations from the CGH, recording it first as "pF, E, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 40" long."
Lewis Swift probably independently found the galaxy on 8 Oct
1896 from Echo Mountain in Southern California and recorded it in list XI-55
(later
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NGC 1416 = ESO 482-034 = MCG -04-09-048 = PGC 13548
03 41 02.9 -22 43 08; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (11/2/91): faint, small, round, weak
concentration. Located almost on
line with mag 9.2
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1416 = LM 2-378 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.5, 0.5' dia, R, *8.7 nr; *8.6 north 2'." His position 3' south of
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03 41 57.4 -04 42 18; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 175°
24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 327x; moderately bright and large, oval 2:1
N-S, 2'x1', relatively large brighter core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11.3 star is about 1' SE. Brightest in a group with
17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large,
elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.
A mag 11 star is 1.3' SE of center. Brightest in a group (LGG 103) with NGC 1418 4.9' ESE and IC
344 7.3' WNW. The group also
includes NGC 1358 and
13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright core. A mag 10.5 star is close SSE. Second of three in a group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1417 = H. II-455 = h306, along with NGC 1418, on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457). He recorded both as "Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, little brighter in the middle. The following [NGC 1418] eF, vS, E, hardly to be seen but 240 verified it; about 6 or 7' south following the first." His position is accurate.
On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), John Herschel remarked "R; north-preceding a star. The second of 3 [with NGC 1418]." His position is 19 seconds of RA too far west, but the description applies (the star is 1.3' SE). He also accurately measured the position, but listed it under h307 (NGC 1418). See notes for IC 344 = h305.
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NGC 1418 = MCG -01-10-022 = Holm 70b = LGG 103-005 = PGC 13606
03 42 16.2 -04 43 50; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 15°
24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 327x; fairly faint and
small, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SSW-NNE, brighter elongated core is a bit offset
towards the N side. Fainter of a
pair with NGC 1417 5' WNW. NGC
1424 lies 14' E and mag 7.7
17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~N-S, almost even surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star is 1.4' S. Forms a pair with NGC 1417 4.9' WNW. Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)
13.1" (12/7/85): faint, small, oval ~N-S. A mag 12 star is 1' S. Third of three in a group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1418 = H. II-456 = h307, along with NGC 1417 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and recorded, "Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, little brighter in the middle. The following [NGC 1418] eF, vS, E, hardly to be seen but 240 verified it; about 6 or 7' south following the first." His position was 2.6' too far NE, but the identification is certain. John Herschel had problems with his observation, and his description for 30 Dec 1826 applies to NGC 1417!
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03 40 42.1 -37 30 40; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.4
18" (1/21/04): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter. Increases to a very small, brighter
core. An occasional stellar
nucleus was glimpsed when the seeing steadied up at 215x. Located 28' SW of mag 4.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1419 = h2576 on 22 Oct 1835 and
recorded "pB, vS, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 15"
(clouded)." His position
(from two sweeps) matches
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03 42 39.8 -05 51 09; Eri
= ***, Corwin.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1420 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. At his single position is a close triple star and he noted a mag 13 star precedes by 10.5 seconds of time in approximately the same declination. This clinches the identity with this close triple.
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03 42 29.4 -13 29 20; Eri
V = 11.4; Size 3.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 179°
18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated N-S, ~3.2'x1.0', broad concentration with a brighter bulging core. The surface brightness is noticeably irregular and mottled with the impression of several brighter patchy knots. Most noticeable is a brighter northern end that appears to contains a small brighter spot. This end also seems to contain a small knot or extension that bulges out and angles towards the northwest. [This feature was verified on the DSS]. A mag 13 star is close west of the north end.
17.5" (11/2/91): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 3.0'x0.7', broad weak concentration, fades towards tips. The surface brightness has a patchy or mottled appearance. The southern tip is slightly fainter than the northern edge. A mag 13 star is 2.8' NE of center.
8" (11/28/81): very faint, moderately large, elongated N-S. A distinctive 6.5' collinear string consisting of four stars mag 10-12 oriented NW-SE begins 8' S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1421 = H. II-291 = h2577 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364) and noted "pF, mE in the direction of the meridian, between 3 and 4' l and about 1' broad, resolvable." John Herschel observed this galaxy on 8 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, vmE, very little brighter middle, 3' l, 20" br; pos. = 184.2 degrees." Dreyer and Lord Rosse made a detailed observation with the 72" on 14 Oct 1876: "F, mE 178.7°, about 4' long; F* (17m +/- ) p near the on end, 38.7" distant, the brighter part of the neb seems abruptly terminated just foll the star, towards which it also appears curved; eF* or knot in neb foll the *17m."
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NGC 1422 = ESO 548-077 = MCG -04-09-051 = LGG 097-015 = PGC 13569
03 41 31.1 -21 40 53; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 2.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 65°
17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, very small, round,
20", low surface brightness.
Based on the DSS image, I only viewed the brighter core as this galaxy
is very extended SW-NE. Forms a
pair with NGC 1414 8' WSW. Located
30' NW of
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1422 = LM 2-379 on 19 Nov
1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and
recorded "mag 15.5, 0.8'x0.2', E 80 deg." There is nothing at his position, but roughly 1 min of RA
west is
NGC 1422 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "elongated at 65°." He also corrected to RA.
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03 42 40.1 -06 22 54; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 20°
18" (1/21/04): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3'. No details but not difficult. A mag 14.5 star follows by 1.3'.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1423 = Sw. 5-55 on 31 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 29 sec of RA east of
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NGC 1424 = NGC 1429? = MCG -01-10-026 = PGC 13664
03 43 13.9 -04 43 48; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 10°
17.5" (11/25/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness. NGC 1418 lies 14' W and NGC 1417 19' W.
13.1" (12/7/85): faint, fairly small, almost round, diffuse, slightly elongated N-S. Located 14' E NGC 1418.
Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 1424 on 8 Dec 1850
(Sunday) while observing the field of NGC 1417. Bindon may have been observing with his brother George
Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. This
galaxy was suspected during the earlier observation on Saturday night. The observer noted a "faint
nova" 16' following [NGC 1418].
The following month month Stoney called it "vF, E." This group was observed 15 times at
Birr Castle. Francis Leavenworth
mentioned the galaxy in his description of
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03 42 11.5 -29 53 36; For
V = 10.6; Size 5.8'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 129°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core. A pair of mag 12.5/14 stars at 30" separation are 2' NE of center and a mag 11 star lies 2.5' N. Outlying member of the Fornax I cluster.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1425 = H. II-852 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972). He recorded "faint, pretty large, irregularly round, gradually brighter middle." His position is accurate.
Harold Corwin comments that Lewis Swift's
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NGC 1426 = ESO 549-001 = MCG -04-09-054 = AM 0340-221 = LGG 097-016 = PGC 13638
03 42 49.1 -22 06 30; Eri
V = 11.4; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 111°
13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1426 = H. III-248 = h2578 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS, lE." John Herschel made two observations from the CGH, first calling it "F" and then "B", probably due to varying sky conditions.
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03 42 19.4 -35 23 34; For
V = 10.9; Size 3.6'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 76°
18" (12/17/11): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 2.0'x1.5'. Well concentrated with a very bright, rounder 25" core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5-13 star is 1.7' W, a bit outside the halo.
18" (1/21/04): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x1.4'. Contains a large, prominent core which is rounder than the halo.
8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1427 = h2579 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 20" dia." His position is accurate.
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03 42 22.8 -35 09 16; For
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 118°
18" (12/17/11): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'. Contains a faint outer halo, well-concentrated with a bright 20" core that increases somewhat to the center. A mag 13 star is at the west edge (35" from center).
18" (1/21/04): fairly faint, small, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE. A mag 13 star is just west of the NW edge and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star. Located 14' N of NGC 1427. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1428 on 19 Jan 1865 with the
6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory. It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula
"l" in his table). His
position matches
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03 44 00 -04 43; Eri
= Not found, Corwin. =*, Carlson.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1429 = LM 2-381 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He has two listings under this number. The first reads mag 15.2, 0.2' diameter, R, bgM with the note "1st of 2, one of which is GC 763 [NGC 1424]; *10 p 15s". The second object is listed at 0.5 min of RA east and described as mag 15.5, 0.3'x0.2', E 180° (N-S) with the note "second of 2". There is only a single galaxy near his position, namely NGC 1424 (discovered earlier at Birr Castle), which better matches the second entry (elongated N-S). So, NGC 1429 is nonexistent though Corwin comments his description may apply to a different pair of galaxies!
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03 45 02.9 -18 15 59; Eri
See observing notes for
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1430 = LM 2-380 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He reported, "mag 15.4, 0.6'x0.4', E 20°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus." There is nothing at his position and no reasonable candidates showed up in a quick search of the surrounding fields. Bigourdan was not able to recover this object and it was reported not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce astrograph in South Africa (Baker, 1937).
Harold Corwin identified this number with a mag 13.3 star near Leavenworth's position but a single star does not fit his description (0.6'x0.4' in PA 20°). As a result, I had listed this object as lost. But in Apr 2016 Yann Pothier suggested that NGC 1430 is a duplicate of NGC 1440. The RA of NGC 1440 is 1.5 minutes further east (typical error in the Leander-McCormick observations) and the description is a fairly good match (except for the magnitude estimate). See Corwin's identification notes.
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03 44 40.8 +02 50 06; Tau
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 160°
17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, low surface brightness, requires averted vision. Located 14' NW of mag 6.7 SAO 111393. Four mag 9.5-11 stars are in the 220x field including a mag 11 star 4' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1431 = m 91 on 6 Sep 1864 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, pL, iR." His position is 2' N of
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03 45 49.5 +24 22 05; Tau
Size 15'x15'
8" (12/28/16): at 124x (unfiltered): although all the bright stars in the Pleiades had scattered light halos, it appeared mag 3.9 Maia had a slightly more extensive halo and irregular halo than mag 3.7 Electra. So, I am fairly confident this was due to the outer reflection nebulosity surrounding Maia. The scattered light itself seemed about the same intensity around both stars.
Paul and Prosper Henry (brothers) discovered NGC 1432 on the first plate they took of the Pleiades on 16 Nov 1885 at Paris Observatory using the 33-cm astrograph. The plate showed nebulosity around Maia which they described "appears very clearly and has spiral form...it was impossible to see it in our telescopes." The discovery was announced in AN 113, p.239, though it didn't include their image of the nebula, which was published in 1888. The Maia nebula is the only object in the NGC discovered photographically!
Edward Pickering wrote a short article on 21 Jan 1886
(published in Astronomische Nachricten 113, 399) that he had already photographed the Pleiades on 3 Nov 1885
with an 8-inch lens and stated it only showed "certain
irregularities...due merely to defects in the photographic process." However, a comparison of the Henry
photograph revealed these "irregularities" included a patch west of
Maia, pointing to the north, and a diffuse remnant near Merope pointing south
(well known visible nebula).
Pickering also mentioned "a faint narrow streak of light projecting
from Electra on the following side", though Dreyer didn't include the
Electra nebula (
Otto Struve made the first visual observation on 5 Feb 1886 with the new 30-inch refractor at Pulkovo. On 23 Feb 1886 he made another observation and sketch showing the nebula stretching from Maia to the east. E.E. Barnard also observed it visually in 1890.
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03 42 01.5 -47 13 20; Hor
V = 9.9; Size 6.5'x5.9'; Surf Br = 13.7
13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a large halo. The overall dimensions are ~3.5'x2.2'. I had a strong impression of extensions or the beginnings of two spiral arms (sketch made and verified); one arm begins at the west end and starts to curve towards the east on the south side while the other is symmetrically placed on the following end and hooks west on the north side. On images these arms connect to form a perfect barred ring. A mag 12 star lies 2.8' SW of center, beyond the halo.
This barred spiral is the brightest member of the NGC 1433
group and part of the Dorado Cloud that includes
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1433 = D 426 = h2580 on 28 Sep 1826. His description (based on two observations) reads "a very faint nebula, about 1' diameter, rather elliptical in the parallel of the equator; with a brightish point or condensation of the nebulous matter, a little to the preceding side of the centre."
John Herschel first logged the galaxy on 14 Dec 1835 (sweep 654), "B, L, pmE, suddenly much brighter middle; 100" long, 60" broad". On 3 Dec 1837 (sweep 805) he noted "vB, L, mE, very suddenly much brighter middle to nucleus = 10th mag star."
Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1433 with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 10 Nov 1877. He showed the thin bar running E-W with a well defined, bright nucleus. (p. 149 of his logbook). It was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! vB, vL, ellips. spiral"
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03 46 12.8 -09 40 57; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165°
17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint and small, round,
10" diameter. Situated
between mag 8.6
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1434 = LM 2-382 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.3, 0.4' dia, R, *8.5, follows 25 sec and 3' N. " There is nothing at
his position, but 1.8 min of RA due east is
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03 46 10 +23 45 54; Tau
Size 30'x30'
24" (12/28/16): at 124x (unfiltered): the huge Merope
Nebula was easily visible, roughly spanning 20' in a wedge or triangular shape
with mag 4.2 Merope close to the northeast vertex. The most well defined edge is clearly the eastern side as it
extends N-S. The edge passes close
to a string of 7 stars oriented NNW-SSE, including two mag 10 stars and nearly
reaches mag 8.1
18" (1/26/11): at 73x (unfiltered), the Merope Nebula
was immediately visible as a huge wedge-shape or comet-shaped glow with Merope
near the focus on the northeast end and the nebula spreading out generally to
the south and west. The most
striking feature of the nebula is the well-defined and approximately eastern
edge oriented N-S that heads south from Merope, passing through a 1' pair of
mag 10/11 stars as well as a 1' pair of mag 10/12.5 star. The nebulosity can be traced a bit over
20' along this side. On the west
side of Merope the border is more ill-defined but roughly heads southwest for
~20'. The southern border is also
ill-defined but is roughly oriented NW to SE and nearly extends nearly as far
as mag 9
17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, the Merope Nebula is the brightest of the reflection nebulae that encase the Pleiades. It appears as a moderately bright, very large, fan-shaped cone of light extended in a wedge SW to SE from Merope. The boundary of the nebulosity is straighter and better defined along the SE edge where it follows a string of mag 10-11 stars. The SW border is not as well defined but extends beyond a trio of mag 13 stars. The fan is broadest at its southern extremity which is roughly 15' from Merope.
16x80 (12/22/84): the Merope nebula was faint but definite in the 16x80 finder using a Deep Sky filter. Also, nebulosity surrounding other stars were confirmed with confidence at full aperture in the 13.1" at 62x.
8" (10/4/80 and 11/4/80): very large, faint, very elongated tear-drop shaped nebulosity extending SW away from Merope. Has a sharper edge along the eastern side. Best view using the Rich Field Adapter at 37x-50x.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1435, the Merope Nebula, on 19 Oct 1859 from Venice with his personal 4-inch Steinheil refractor using 45x. The following historical summary is from Wolfgang Steinicke's book "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".
The Merope Nebula was the first deep sky object Tempel
discovered. He initially thought
it was a comet, but the next night (20th) he checked and found no movement.
The discovery was published on 23 Dec 1860 (AN 54, 285). Christian
August Peters, the editor of Astronomische Nachricten, confirmed the
observation using a 7-inch refractor. Auwers first observed it on 14 Jan
1861, but d'Arrest was unsuccessful using the 11-inch Merz refractor at
Copenhagen in Aug 1862. Based on his negative results on several attempts,
he reported "I have hitherto been able positively to see nothing. ...I
therefore, even yet, am of opinion that this nebula is variable, otherwise the
original announcement of the discovery ... must be looked upon as been greatly
exaggerated. This report began a heated interchange involving many of the
world's most prominent visual observers over the next 30 years (see
In September 1862, Julius Schmidt supported d'Arrest, claiming if it was not variable he would have noticed it while carefully observing the Pleiades since 1841. He first reported a sighting on 5 Feb 1861, describing it as "very large, very pale and quite shapeless." Auwers responded critically to d'Arrest, claiming neither Tempel's (Merope) nebula nor NGC 1333 were variable but that "large, blurred, faint objects are much more easily visible in small instruments than in large ones" and d'Arrest's failure was due to "a small field of view, completely filled by the 15' large nebula". Charcornac at Paris Observatory also reported the nebula was difficult to see at high power. Schönfeld wrote that the nebula "instantly stuck out in the local telescope (6.5-inch refractor in Mannheim, Germany) on Sept 20, 1862 when I pointed it freely towards Merope, without knowing the exact place, looking like a blurred nebula with the shape and size described by Auwers."
d'Arrest responded to the attack on 12 Nov 1862 (AN 1393) stating "after a long effort I actually set eyes on Tempel's Nebula", though it was "the faintest object which I remember ever having seen in the refractor". He was "still convinced that the nebula was variable; otherwise the discovery report ["large, bright nebula"] must be seen as highly exaggerated." In March 1862, Winnecke viewed the nebula with a 4.1-inch refractor at low power and asked Otto Struve to take a look in the 15-inch Merz refractor, convinced that it would be difficult to see in the larger scope. Winnecke noted "Indeed, we were not convinced about its existence until the telescope was moved quickly back and forth". Winnecke concluded there was no reason to invoke variability to explain the observations. In 1863, Tempel wrote a letter to the French magazine Le Monde asserting that nebulae, in general, are unchanging (otherwise their constituent stars would have to be vary simultaneously) and that atmospheric conditions were the source of different observational results.
Reverend Thomas Webb observed the nebula on 6 Oct 1863 with his 5.5-inch Clark refractor, stating "on turning the telescope upon the group at 29x and 64x, though I probably should not have it discovered unknown, I found it with ease, as a very ill-defined, but on the whole egg-shaped haze, encompassing a brilliant star with its smaller but rather brighter end." As far as the variability "he [Schönfeld] thinks this and other suspected nebulae, being very feeble, large and diffuse, are influenced in visibility by magnifying power, varying transparency of the air, and practice of the eye, so that aperture is less concerned in their case than in that of minute stars." Although he never observed the nebula, John Herschel catalogued the Merope Nebula as GC 768 and his description stated "VAR" [variable].
The controversy about the variability and GC entry caused Lawrence Parsons (4th Earl of Rosse) to take a look with the 36-inch and 72-inch reflectors at Birr Castle, but he found no nebulosity in five observations from Feb 1871 to Sep 1873! Dreyer, himself, was unsuccessful (on a "misty" night) on 24 Dec 1875. The first (marginal) successful observation at Birr Castle was not made until 10 Dec 1877 and confirmed later that month.
The debate over variability wasn't settled. In 1875 Charles Wolf at Paris Observatory reported he was unable to see the Merope Nebula from Nov 1874 to Feb 1875 and Stephan at the Marseilles observatory confirmed this. Wolf concluded, "This nebula is truly variable and its period seems to be rather short". But Tempel published another report in Jan 1877 (AN 2139) concluding, "the invisibility of the Merope Nebula in a large telescope is due to the eyepiece and its field of view. If d'Arrest had used an eyepiece of lower power than 95x, giving a field of 20 to 25'; he would have seen the nebula very easily." Tempel also made disparaging remarks about the large reflectors at Birr Castle, claiming the 36-inch and 72-inch didn't show more stars than his 11-inch Amici refractor (Tempel and Dreyer had a bitter dispute in 1878 about the "spiral form of nebulae", which Tempel couldn't see in his 11-inch).
On 6 Mar 1877, Maxwell Hall drew the nebula with his 4-inch refractor at 100x and was amazed it was invisible to Lord Rosse and Robert Newall, who had a 25-inch Cooke refractor. Hall was also critical of Schiaparelli's description of the orientation of the nebula. Hall's article touched off another debate between Wolf, Common, Hough, Tempel, Swift, Barnard and Burnham.
Charles Wolf published his work on the Pleiades and included a sketch made in Nov 1875. He saw nebulosity extending to Electra and Celaeno, by masking Merope with the micrometer bar. A much earlier report by Hermann Goldschmidt to Leverrier in Paris on 21 Sep 1863, claimed he saw not only the Merope nebula but that the Pleiades were completely surrounded by diffuse nebulosity, extending over an area of 5°.
In 1880, Ainslie Common published a drawing of the Pleiades nebulosity using his 36-inch reflector. It showed a large, elongated patch SE of Merope (the wrong direction!) and two additional patches; one north of Merope and another to the NW of Alcyone. This caused some more controversy.
In 1880, Tempel published (MNRAS, 40, 622) an excellent drawing of the nebula using Amici I, with accurate form and brightness levels, along with a large number of nearby faint stars. He mentioned the various astronomers who confirmed the object, including Schmidt, Winnecke Auwers and Schönfeld, and also opponents such as d'Arrest, Secchi and the Birr Castle observers. He stated "But all ambiguity has been since cleared up, for on fitting the large telescopes with eyepieces of a low magnifying power the nebula becomes distinctly visible, and is shown by them with image equal in clearness to that given by the smaller instrucments. He also criticized Goldschmidt's observation of the Pleiades surrounded by nebulous clouds and the drawing of Common, saying the sketch must have "evidently been executed with a telescope of insufficient power to show the Merope Nebula." He concluded with satisfaction "It is now ascertained beyond question that the nebula exists...and anyone publishing statements about its non-existence merely uses vain words, and proclaims himself wanting in knowledge of the history and nebulae and the management of telescopes."
Common was offended and responded the "three-foot telescope" mentioned in his report was of three-foot aperture! Hall wrote one more report on 13 Dec 1880, claiming the nebula had changed shape, now "extending as far as Electra, and the parabolic form of the Nebula, as seen 1877, was destroyed." He wondered why Tempel had overlooked the "extension of the nebula in the direction of Electra."
Amazingly, the controversy of the existence of the Merope Nebula wasn't over. At Dearborn Observatory in Chicago, Hough and Burnham had previously been critical of earlier reports, because of their discordant descriptions and their negative results in 1879 and 1880 using the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at 120x and higher. After Tempel's paper, they made a concerted effort from 29 Nov 1880 to 22 Mar 1891 with various eyepieces, stopping down the refractor to 12-inch, even masking Merope. But they came up empty and decided the previous positive observers were misled by the glare from Merope and the neighboring stars! Dreyer immediately responded, criticizing the large exit pupil used and furthermore he didn't see anything unusual about or contradictory about previous published reports of a "large and diffused nebulosity". Also, the theory about the glare from Merope causing an illusion was rejected. Swift also responded on 2 Dec 1881, that he independently ran across the Merope Nebula in 1874 while searching for comets with his 4.5-inch refractor and "strongly suspected it was a new comet." His analysis was that Hough and Burnham used too high of a power as he could see the nebula even stopped down to 2-inch aperture at 25x.
Barnard observed and drew the Merope Nebula and nearby stars with his 5-inch refractor in 1883. He wrote "it is plainly visible in my 5-inch refractory, it has been seen with a 2.5-inch telescope, in the presence of a quarter-full moon." He criticized Common's sketch but felt his sketch agreed with Tempel's (though it extended further west past Electra). Barnard also mentioned that Trouvelot reported that it is variable and had become very faint (he described the nebula as changing to a dim purplish color) and "can now be seen only by those acquainted with its former appearance"!
Paul and Prosper Henry first photographed the Pleiades on 16 Nov 1885 and revealed additional nebulosity around Maia, later catalogued as NGC 1432 (the only photographic discovery in the NGC) as well as faint nebulosity near Electra. In 1886 Charles Wolf published a comparison between the photographic image and the visual observations that showed significant changes in the Merope Nebula. Morever, the separate nebula observed by Goldschmidt and Wolf had disappeared but he concluded that photographic and visual observations can never be reconciled as objects invisible on photographs can exist visually. Surprisingly, the image most closely resembled the ridiculed drawing of Common. Common wrote that his sketch showed the Maia Nebula, however the connection is poor - his placement is closer to Alcyone than Maia.
The image encouraged others to search for addition nebulae in the Pleiades. On 26 Feb 1886, Spitaler and Palisa in Vienna reported the Maia nebula appeared as a "small flaky nebulosity, completely separated from Maia" and on 3 Mar, the former was "only the brightest knot of an extended nebulosity, completely covering Maia." Spitaler wrote "one can hardly refrain from thinking that at least the whole Pleiades region west and north of Alcyone is covered by an extended nebulosity, of which all previously perceived, apparently isolated nebulae, are merely bright knots of light."
On 23 Oct 1886 Isaac Roberts took a 3 hour exposure which revealed "not only are the stars [Alcyone, Maia, Electra, Merope] surrounded by nebulae, but the nebulosity extends in streamers and fleecy masses, till it seems almost to fill the spaces between the stars, and to extend far beyond them." Common again felt vindicated and repeated his treatment by Tempel, "who thought I had not used a sufficiently large telescope" (a misunderstanding by Tempel).
Another image was taken by the Henry brothers in 1888 showing extensive nebulosity. At an RAS meeting on 8 Jun 1888, Common says "I immediately compared my sketches with it and found that every star I had seen, except one, was there, and, of course, in their proper places." Robert Newall, who also attended the meeting, stated he was certain that his observations differed from Common with Merope appearing as an oval comet with Merope at the focus and he had not seen the additional patches claimed by Common.
In an 1888 issue of Knowledge, English astronomer Arthur Ranyard wrote an article titled "Great Nebula in the Pleiades" and stated "The observations are worth examining, as they throw some light on the differences which are always likely to exist when observations are pushed into the border-land of vision, where by reason of the extreme faintness or minuteness of the objects examined, the eye begins to fail, and the imagination begins to play a larger and larger part in filling up the gaps where the senses of the eye-straining observer fail him."
Maxwell Hall made a late interesting set of observations in 1889 in Jamaica. He compared the view of the Merope Nebula using a 9-inch reflector with a glass mirror and his 4-inch Cook refractor. He reported "a glance through the refractor showed the well-known nebula projected against the dark background or field of view; but in the reflector there was so much light scattered around the field of view that the nebula was invisible." He concluded this explained the positive sightings in smaller refractors and vice versa, the failure with larger reflectors (especially Lord Rosse's initial failures). In 1891, Spitaler reviewed the major observations of the Pleiades nebulae in a 20-page paper and created a remarkable map of the region, showing extensive nebulosity surrounding the Pleiades. He argues his map shows the main structures were correctly drawn and generally only the boundaries vary.
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03 43 37.1 -35 51 12; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 150°
18" (1/21/04): large, low surface brightness glow with just a weak concentration. Appears slightly elongated NNW-SSE, perhaps 2.5'x2.0', but edges fade into the background so difficult to determine the outline of the halo. A mag 9.7 star lies 11' NE. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1436 = D 562 = h2581 = h2582 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and described "a pretty large faint round nebula, about 3.5' diameter, gradual slight condensation to the centre, very faint at the margin." His position was 22' too far SSE.
John Herschel logged it on 9 Jan 1836 (sweep 636) as "very bright, and evidently a globular cluster." He only gave the rough place from Dunlop. He made another observation (h2582) on 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801) but assumed it was new and as a result NGC 1436 = NGC 1437. Dorothy Carlson and RNGC list NGC 1436 as "Not Found". See Corwin's notes for the full story.
While searching for NGC 1436 with the Great Melbourne
Telescope on 14 Feb 1888, Pietro Baracchi discovered
******************************
NGC 1437 = NGC 1436 = ESO 358-058 = MCG -06-09-025 = AM 0341-360 = LGG 986-022 = PGC 13687
03 43 37.1 -35 51 12; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 150°
18" (1/21/04): large, low surface brightness glow with just a weak concentration. Appears slightly elongated NNW-SSE, perhaps 2.5'x2.0', but edges fade into the background so difficult to determine the outline of the halo. A mag 9.7 star lies 11' NE. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1437 = h2582 on 28 Nov 1837 and
logged "F, vL, gradually little brighter middle, R, 4"
dia." His position matches
******************************
03 45 17.2 -23 00 09; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 69°
17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, halo gradually brightens but no nucleus. A mag 11 star just 20" off the east edge detracts from viewing and a very faint mag 14.5 star lies 1.7' S.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1438 = LM 1-112 on 11 Dec 1885
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 15.0, vmE 60°, *10 follows 1.0'." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) and description
matches
NGC 1438 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and he corrected the position.
******************************
03 44 49.9 -21 55 14; Eri
V = 11.4; Size 2.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.3
13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus, round, large faint halo.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1439 = H. III-249 = h2584 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS." John Herschel made 3 observations from the CGH, first logging it as "pF, S, R, bM, 20" dia."
******************************
NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1430: = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 =
03 45 02.9 -18 15 59; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.1'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 28°
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, small faint
halo, bright core, stellar nucleus.
Located 7' ENE of mag 10
William Herschel discovered NGC 1440 = H. II-458 = h2583 on
6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "pB, R, bM." John Herschel made
two observations from South Africa, logging it on 11 Dec 1835 as "pB; R;
very suddenly much brighter middle to a nucleus = *13' 60" dia." William also made an observation on 20
Sep 1786 with a 1° error in declination, with the designation II-594. JH included this observation in the GC
(773), although he noted that Auwers considered it identical to II-458. Dreyer added it as
Joseph Turner observed this galaxy on 10 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and noted it "resembles a planetary nebula with a faint halo surrounding the nucleus, which is a little elongated n the north-following direction."
Finally, Francis Leavenworth found this galaxy again in
1886, recorded it in the second discovery list (#387) from the Leander
McCormick observatory but made a 2 min error in RA (too far east). Dreyer assumed it was new and was catalogued
as
******************************
03 45 43.0 -04 05 31; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70°
24" (12/8/20): at 260x-375x; between fairly faint and
moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', contains a bright
core. Brightest and largest in
trio with
13.1" (12/18/82): faint, small, slightly elongated. Largest and brightest of three with NGC 1449 5.7' SE and NGC 1451 6.2' ENE. Brighter NGC 1453 lies 13' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1441 = H. II-597 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "faint, extended in a row with some stars." The star "in a row" are 4.4' WSW, 1.6' E and 3' ENE. He made a second observation on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "extremely faint, small, irregular figure. I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough." The two objects he suspected are almost certainly NGC 1449 (6' SE) and NGC 1451 (6' ENE).
******************************
NGC 1442 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752
03 45 02.9 -18 15 59; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1440.
William Herschel found NGC 1442 = H. II-594 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and logged "pB, vS, R, bM." There is nothing at his position and it was reported as not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce astrograph in South Africa (Baker, 1937). But exactly one degree north is NGC 1440 = H. II-458, which he earlier discovered on 6 Oct 1785. The equivalence was first noted by Auwers but John Herschel still included his father's observation in the GC (774) as well as Dreyer in the NGC with the comment H. II-594 is probably identical to H. II-458 = NGC 1440. Leavenworth found this galaxy again in 1886 and reported it as new in his second list (#387, later NGC 1458), though his RA was 2 minutes of time too large. So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.
******************************
03 45 53.1 -04 03 09; Eri
= *, Corwin. "Not found", Carlson.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1443 in 1882, and described in paper V (AN 2439) "class III and forms with NGC 1441 and the two d'Arrest nebulae (NGC 1449 and NGC 1451) a trapezoid, so the second northernmost in this group". There is nothing at his position, but Corwin identifies a single mag 14.5 that fits Tempel's description. See Corwin's identification notes.
******************************
03 49 26 +51 39 18; Per
V = 6.6; Size 4'
17.5" (11/2/91): at 220x, about 20 mag 7-14 stars scattered in a 5' diameter, not rich or impressive. The group mainly consists of a bright double star (STF 446 = 7/10 at 9") with a third fainter mag 13 star 12" NE of the bright mag 7 star. Close northwest is a line of four mag 10-12 stars oriented SW-NE.
The bright star (B-type
8" (1/1/84): consists of a mag 7.5 star with 7 faint stars just west. The brightest star is STF 446 = 7.5/9.0 at 10".
William Herschel discovered NGC 1444 = H. VIII-80 = h308 on 18 Dec 1788 (sweep 894) and recorded "a cluster of small stars, containing one large one, 9-10 mag; 2 or 3' diam. not rich." On 8 Nov 1831 (sweep 384), John Herschel logged a "cluster of about 20 st; place that of a superb double star (∑ 446); the rest 12m."
******************************
03 44 56.1 -09 51 20; Eri
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5": faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. Located 2.2' SE of a mag 12 star and 25' ESE of mag 3.5 Delta (35) Eridani. NGC 1434 lies 21' NE.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1445 = LM 2-383 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag
14.5, 0.3' dia, R, *9, position 330° at 2'." His position is 0.8 min of RA east of
******************************
03 45 57.5 -04 06 44; Eri
= *?, Corwin.
J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1446 on 8 Jan 1877 observing with the 72" at Birr Castle. He commented "perhaps a vF neb f [NGC 1441]" with no micrometric offsets and the sketch only shows two stars following NGC 1441, so it's unclear what object Dreyer had in mind. (in 1882). Wilhelm Tempel independently recorded a new object in 1882 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and placed it 16 seconds of RA east of NGC 1441 and +3/4' in declination. There is nothing at this exact separation and Harold Corwin lists a possible star if the +3' to 4' should read -3' to 4'. Dreyer assumed both observations referred to the same object, so he and Tempel are credited in the NGC.
******************************
03 45 47.1 -09 01 07; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105°
17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20"
diameter, very small brighter nucleus.
Located 2.7' WSW of mag 7.9
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1447 = LM 2-384 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 14.5, 0.4' dia, R, neb?; *9.5 at 3.2' separation in PA 240° (WSW)
." His position is 3' S of
******************************
03 44 32.0 -44 38 38; Hor
V = 10.7; Size 7.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 41°
18" (12/30/08): moderately bright, large, edge-on ~6:1 SW-NE, ~4.5'x0.8'. Contains a brighter, elongated core that increases to the center. A brighter star is close southeast of the core (1.4' from center) and a fainter star is near the northeast end. Situated at the midpoint of two mag 9.2/9.7 stars located 7.5' N and 7.5' S. Viewed at only 8° elevation. Brightest members of a subgroup (LGG 102) of the Dorado Group complex.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1448 = h2585 on 14 Dec 1835 and
recorded "pB, vL, vmE, 3' l, 20" br, position = 221.6
degrees." There is nothing at
his position but 50 seconds of RA east is
This galaxy was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901. He noted NGC 1448 was not seen and was an error for NGC 1457.
******************************
NGC 1449 = MCG -01-10-032 = LGG 103-013 = PGC 13798
03 46 03.0 -04 08 17; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 20°
24" (12/8/20): at 260x and 376x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3'. Similar NGC 1451 is 4' SSW and brighter NGC 1441 is 6' WSW in the LGG 103 group.
13.1" (12/18/82): faint, very small, round. Located 5.7' SE of NGC 1441 and forms a trio with NGC 1451 4.2' NNE in a group. Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1449, along with NGC 1451,
on 9 Oct 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position, measured on 4 nights,
matches
William Herschel probably made the first discovery of NGC 1449 and NGC 1451 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638). He description of NGC 1441 mentions, "I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough." Due to the uncertainty it wasn't assigned a general (internal) number or later catalogued. Édouard Stephan also observed the pair on 22 Nov 1875.
******************************
03 45 36.5 -09 14 04; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15°
17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly
elongated, 0.7'x0.5' SSW-NNE.
Several faint galaxies are situated nearby.
Lewis Swift found NGC 1450 = Sw. 5-56 = LM 1-113 = LM 1-114
on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position
is 16 seconds of RA due east of
Frank Muller (also from the LM Observatory) noted the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. As a result Dreyer assigned a single NGC designation, crediting both Swift and Stone. As the LM discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, Stone made the earlier discovery. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
******************************
NGC 1451 = MCG -01-10-033 = LGG 103-014 = PGC 13801
03 46 07.1 -04 04 10; Eri
V = 13.3; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 45°
24" (12/8/20): at 260x-375x; fairly faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, very small bright nucleus. A mag 14 star is 2' S and a mag 14.7 star is 2' SE. In a group of galaxies with nearby NGC 1449 and NGC 1441.
13.1" (12/18/82): faint, very small, round. In a trio with NGC 1441 6.2' WSW and NGC 1449 4.2' SSW within a group. Located 7.9' SW of NGC 1453. Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1451, along with NGC 1449,
on 9 Oct 1864. His position
(measured on 4 nights) matches
William Herschel probably noticed NGC 1449 and 1451 in an observation of NGC 1441 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638). He mentions "I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough." Due to his uncertainty, Caroline didn't assign internal (general) discovery numbers. Édouard Stephan observed the pair on 22 Nov 1875, apparently aware of d'Arrest's discovery.
******************************
03 45 22.3 -18 38 01; Eri
V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 113°
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, broad weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus, small faint halo. Appears similar to NGC 1440 25' NNW but slightly fainter. Member of NGC 1407 group (LGG 100).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1452 = H. II-459 on 6 Oct
1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "F, R, little brighter in the
middle." His position is 3.2'
north of
******************************
NGC 1453 = MCG -01-10-034 = LGG 103-007 = PGC 13814
03 46 27.2 -03 58 09; Eri
V = 11.5; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2
24" (12/8/20): very bright, large, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar peak. The outer halo (at least 1.5' diameter) has a much lower surface and fades gradually away without a definite edge. One of the two brightest galaxies in the NGC 1376/1417 Group.
13.1" (12/18/82): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, very small bright core. Brightest of four with a faint trio of galaxies NGC 1441, NGC 1449 and NGC 1451 roughly 10' SW. Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1453 = H. I-155 = h309 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "cB, S, mbM." On 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) he noted "pB; gradually much brighter middle."
******************************
03 45 59.3 -20 39 08; Eri
= *, Gottlieb. Not found, ESO.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1454 = LM 2-385 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and reported a
"*?; *9.5, P 240° [SW] distance 3'.2." There is nothing at his position.
******************************
NGC 1455 = NGC 1452 = ESO 549-012 = MCG -03-10-044 = PGC 13765
03 45 22.3 -18 38 01; Eri
V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 113°
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, broad weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus, small faint halo. Appears similar to NGC 1440 25' NNW but slightly fainter. Member of NGC 1407 group (LGG 100).
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1455 = LM 2-386 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.7, 0.5', lE 30°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus." There is nothing at his position but 40 sec of RA west is NGC 1452 and his position angle matches its bar. Heber Curtis was perhaps the first to note "R.A. as given in the NGC probably in error; no object in that place. [NGC 1452] faint; Saturn-shaped; 1' long in p.a. 30°."
******************************
03 48 08.3 +22 33 31; Tau
= **, Gottlieb.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1456 in 1886 with a 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England and noted a "double star mag 10-12, companion nebulous at 130°, 9'' [separation]. At his position is a wide pair of stars with the southwest component a "fused" double star (both components visible) on the DSS at 03 48 08.3 +22 33 31 (2000). The single mag 10 star is 1.4' NE. Lohse's description matches this pair although there is no involved nebulosity, as first noted by Sherburne Burnham when he examined the pair in 1909 at Yerkes. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
******************************
NGC 1457 = NGC 1448 = ESO 249-016 = MCG -07-08-005 = PGC 13727
03 44 32.0 -44 38 38; Hor
V = 10.7; Size 7.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 41°
See observing notes for NGC 1448.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1457 = h2586 on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, vmE, gradually little brighter middle, a ray nebula, 4' l, 20" br, pos = 38 degrees.". His position (observed on 3 sweeps) is accurate. He also picked up this galaxy on a separate sweep in 14 Dec 1835, but placed this galaxy 50 sec of RA too far west. He apparently missed the equivalent descriptions and it was also catalogued as NGC 1448. The IC 2 notes notes this number is identical to NGC 1448 (DeLisle Stewart). The primary designation should be NGC 1457 (earlier discovery), but this galaxy is generally referred to NGC 1448.
******************************
NGC 1458 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752
03 45 02.9 -18 15 59; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1440.
Francis Leavenworth found NGC 1458 = LM 2-387 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He reported "mag 13.0, 0.3' diameter, round." There is nothing at his position and it was reported not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce refractor in South Africa (Baker, 1937). But NGC 1440, two minutes of time west, is likely Leavenworth's object. NGC 1442 is probably another observation of this galaxy with a one degree error in declination (see these entries for more). So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.
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03 46 57.9 -25 31 18; For
V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 167°
17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, low almost even surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 2.9' S of center.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1459 = LM 1-115 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of
RA) is a good match with
******************************
03 46 13.7 -36 41 48; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 60°
18" (1/21/04): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.0' diameter. This Fornax I cluster member has a fairly low surface brightness. A mag 12.8 star is very close off the SE side [38" from center]. Located 2.7' S of a mag 10.6 star. Member of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1460 = h2587 on 28 Nov 1837 and described "F; S; R; 15"; attached to a star 14 mag." His position and description is accurate.
******************************
03 48 27.1 -16 23 36; Eri
V = 11.8; Size 3.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 155°
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.5'. Strong concentration with a small bright core. Located 3.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star.
8" (11/28/81): faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1461 = H. II-460 = h2588 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and noted "pB, S, lE, mbM or a nucleus." His position is 2' south of MCG -03-10-047 = PGC 13881, and accurate in RA. John Herschel logged "pB, vlE, pretty much brighter middle, 25" diameter", but was off by 21 seconds in RA (too far east). Schönfeld measured an accurate position (used in the NGC).
******************************
03 50 23.5 +06 58 22; Tau
V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (11/2/91): extremely faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE (orientation uncertain), very low surface brightness. A faint double star lies 1' WNW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1462 = m 92 on 13 Sep 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S, vlE". Marth's position is accurate.
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03 46 15.5 -59 48 37; Ret
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
moderately bright and large at 200x, round, even concentration to a small,
brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. Quite a number of brighter stars are nearby including a group
of 7 bright mag 10-11 stars that lie just to the north and two additional mag
11 stars that flank the galaxy 1.8' SSW and 2.5' ENE. In addition, the galaxy is 8.5' NNW of mag 9.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1463 = h2589 on 6 Oct 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, bM, 15", one of a constellation with 7 bright stars." His position (h2589) and description is accurate.
******************************
03 51 24.4 -15 24 08; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 44°
18" (11/22/03): faint, small, round, 40"x35",
fairly low even surface brightness with just a weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' SSE. Located 16' NE of mag 8.3
Lewis Swift found NGC 1464 = Sw. 5-57 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported "pF; S; R; forms equilateral triangle with 2 stars." His position is 2' NW of PGC 13976 and the description applies, though the triangle is technically isosceles in shape.
Frances Leavenworth discovered this galaxy earlier in 1886
(the discovery list was submitted on 12 Oct) but his rough RA for LM 1-116
(later
******************************
03 53 32.0 +32 29 33; Per
V = 13.7; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 165°
13.1" (1/1/84): fainter extensions visible oriented ~N-S.
13.1" (11/5/83): faint, small, round, but not
difficult. Mag 6.6
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1465 = Sw. 5-58 on 25 Sep 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "pF;
pS; R; pB* near p[receding]."
His position is 8 tsec east and 39" north of
******************************
03 44 32.7 -71 40 16; Hyi
V = 11.6; Size 2.3'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, round, 2.5' diameter. Appeared mottled with some extremely faint stars resolved in the halo. The only brighter resolved star is on the south side of the halo. The view is somewhat hampered by mag 6.3 CT Hydri just 4' ENE and a mag 9 star 2.3' SSE. NGC 1466 is one of the 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
outlying globular of the LMC is known to be one the oldest LMC clusters. At 128x it appeared moderately bright,
fairly small, round, 2' diameter.
There was no resolution except for a single faint star at the south edge
but the surface brightness was high.
This cluster was fairly prominent and very easy to find as it is
situated 4' WSW of mag 6.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1466 = h2590 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, irregularly round, gradually little brighter middle, 30", has a * 7th mag foll, and others near." On a second sweep he notes "Viewed past meridian; found in place; pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30" dia."
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03 51 52.7 -08 50 17; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 115°
17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, small, round, 0.6'
diameter, slightly brighter core.
Slightly brighter of a pair with
17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very small bright core surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo. Located 4.3' NNE of a mag 10 star.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1467 = LM 2-388 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.0, 0.3' dia, R, *9 at 4.2' in PA 185° [SSW]." His position is just 0.2 min of RA west of
******************************
03 52 12.5 -06 20 56; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 135°
17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, weak even concentration to an occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' ENE of center. Located ~3' N of a 1' pair of mag 11/12 stars.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1468 = St. 12-27 on 28 Dec 1877. His published position in the 12th discovery list was reduced on 14 Dec 1881.
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04 00 28.0 +68 34 40; Cam
V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153°
17.5" (11/2/91): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.6', very bright core surrounded by fainter elongated halo. A mag 10 star is just off the west edge 0.6' WSW from the center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1469 = Sw. 3-27 on 24 Feb 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF;
vS; R; B* nr." His position
is 6' NW of
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NGC 1470 = MCG -02-10-016 = PGC 14002
03 52 09.7 -08 59 57; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 169°
17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.3', slightly brighter core. Forms a faint pair with NGC 1467 10' NNW.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1470 = LM 2-389 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.0, 0.8'x0.2', E 180° [N-S], *9.5 precedes 20s, 2' S." There is nothing at his position but
1.0 min of RA west is
******************************
NGC 1471 = NGC 1464 = PGC 13976
03 51 24.4 -15 24 08; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1464.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1471 = LM 1-116 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 14.5, vS, pE 45°."
His description is accurate, though his rough position is 1 minute 40
seconds of RA due east of
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03 53 47.3 -08 34 06; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, round. A mag 13 star is 1' SE. FIrst and brightest of three with NGC
1477 4' E and
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1472 = LM 1-117 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described "mag
14.0, 0.1' dia, 1st of 3 [with
******************************
03 47 26.8 -68 13 13; Hyi
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 36°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x
appears moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weakly concentrated
with a slightly brighter core.
This galaxy has a slightly mottled or clumpy appearance (the SGC notes a
"large knot 0.3' NE of center"). Elongated in the direction of a star 3' SW. Situated within a string of 4 stars -
one star to the NW and three to the SE.
Member of a small group that includes
John Herschel discovered NGC 1473 = h2592 on 2 Nov 1834 and
recorded "pF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25"
dia." His position (from two
sweeps) corresponds with
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03 54 30.3 +10 42 24; Tau
V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 0°
17.5" (2/11/96): faint, fairly small, round, 40"
diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter 15" core. A mag 13.5 star is just 1.0' N of
center. Located 12' WSW of mag 9
This galaxy is identified as
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1474 = m 93 on 5 Oct 1864 and
logged "vF, S, R." His
position is 8' S of
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03 53 49.8 -08 08 15; Eri
Size 0.6'x0.6'
18" (10/16/09): not seen initially at 275x but referring to the exact position an extremely faint glow was quickly seen with averted. Appears very small, round, 12" diameter. Visible ~2/3 of the time with averted once it was acquired.
18" (1/1/08): extremely faint and small, round,
10"-15" diameter.
Requires averted vision to glimpse. Located 9' SE of mag 8
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1475 = LM 2-390 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded
"mag 15.3, 0.1' dia, R, *14 4' north-preceding." His position is close to
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03 52 08.9 -44 31 57; Hor
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 86°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.2', broad concentration. Located 15' SE of a mag 8 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1476 = h2591 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, S, pmE in the parallel; gradually brighter in the middle, 15" long." On a second sweep he described it "vF, lE, gradually brighter in the middle, 25" long". His position is accurate.
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03 54 02.9 -08 34 30; Eri
V = 14.8; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 15 star is 1' NE. Located in a trio with NGC 1472 4' W and NGC 1478 2' NE.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1477 = LM 1-118 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, 2nd of 3 [with NGC 1472 and 1478]." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is essentially accurate, along with the companions.
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03 54 07.3 -08 33 20; Eri
V = 15.5; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold. Faintest of a trio with NGC 1477 2' SW and NGC 1472 5' WSW.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1478 = LM 1-119 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, 3rd of 3 [with NGC 1472 and 1477]." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is essentially accurate, along with the companions.
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03 54 24 -10 12; Eri
= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1479 = LM 2-391 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory recorded "mag
16.0, 0.6'x0.1', 1st of 2 [with
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03 54 30 -10 16; Eri
= Not found, RNGC.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1480 = LM 2-392 (along with NGC 1479 = LM 2-391) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, but there is nothing at his position. Muller mentions a "*10 following 30s" but no discovery sketch was found to aid in the identification and Harold Corwin's search came up empty. The RNGC has an obvious typo in the position as the RA is off by over 8 hours.
******************************
03 54 28.9 -20 25 38; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 133°
24" (12/1/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2
NW-SE, 30"x20", broad concentration. Fainter of a pair with
17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, very small, slightly
elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness.
Located 2.5' NW of mag 8.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1481 = h2593 on 13 Nov 1835 and
described "eF, S, R, precedes two bright stars and the nebula III.962 [NGC
1482].". His single position
is 2' S of
******************************
NGC 1482 = ESO 549-033 = MCG -03-10-054 = KTS 22B = PGC 14084
03 54 38.9 -20 30 09; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 103°
24" (12/1/13): moderately bright to fairly bright,
fairly large, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~1.5'x0.9'. Contains a large bright core that increases to a very small,
bright nucleus. Surrounding the
core is a very low surface brightness halo. Forms a right triangle with two bright stars; mag 8.6 HD
24694 2.3' ENE and mag 8.6
17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3
~E-W, broad concentration. Forms
the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 8.7 SAO 168936 2.5' NW
and mag 8.6
William Herschel discovered NGC 1482 = H. III 962 = h2594 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091). He recorded "very faint; very small; near 2 bright stars, south preceding of them." John Herschel observed the galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope on 13 Nov 1835 and logged "F, S, R; makes an obtuse angled triangle with two bright stars, the one preceding, the other following it." A week later he called it "eF, S; makes an obtuse angled nearly isoceles triangle with two stars 10th mag north of it." His third observation on 11 Dec was recorded as "pB, little extended, gradually brighter middle (newly polished mirror); makes an obtuse angled triangle with two stars 10th mag to its north."
Fritz Zwicky discovered SN 1937E, during his systematic search for supernovae using the 18" Schmidt at Palomar (his 4th discovery).
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03 52 47.7 -47 28 40; Hor
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
moderately bright and large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x0.9', broad
concentration, slightly irregular or patchy surface brightness but no clear
spiral structure. Located 15' SE
of mag 6.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1483 = h2595 on 14 Dec 1835 (and possibly earlier by Dunlop) and recorded "pretty faint; round; very little brighter in the middle; 20". (Newly polished mirror, but the sky dull and haze forming; so that this may very possibly be Dunlop 428.)". His second observation reads "very faint; pretty large; round; very gradually a little brighter in the middle; 80" across. I feel convinced that this nebula is too faint to have been seen by Mr Dunlop. Put on the 9 inch aperture, could not discern the least trace of it. Mirror polished yesterday and in high beauty. Sky superb."
James Dunlop found D 428 on 2 Sep 1826 and described
"An extremely faint ill-defined small nebula. A pretty large nebula (D 427) precedes this." Despite Herschel's comments, Dunlop's
position lands very close to NGC 1483 and his position for
******************************
03 54 17.9 -36 58 14; Eri
V = 13.1; Size 2.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80°
18" (12/30/08): faint, thin edge-on ~6:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.25', low even surface brightness with no noticeable core. Located at the SE edge of the Fornax I cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1484 = h2596 on 28 Nov 1837 and
recorded "vF, L, E, very gradually very little brighter middle,
2'." His position is 1' S of
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04 05 03.6 +70 59 46; Cam
V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 22°
17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is just following the SSW end.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1485 = Sw. 3-28 on 24 Feb 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged "eF; pS;
R." His position is 2.6' NW
of
******************************
03 56 18.6 -21 49 17; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 2°
17.5" (2/22/03): very faint, fairly small,, 0.6'x0.4',
weak concentration with a roundish, brighter core, requires averted
vision. The halo appears elongated
SSW-NNE although difficult to pin down a consistent orientation. Located 10' E of mag 9.7
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1486 = LM 2-393 in 1886
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is about 25 sec of RA east
of
******************************
03 55 45.3 -42 22 05; Eri
V = 11.9; Size 3.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 55°
18" (1/17/09): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.8'x1.5', slightly elongated E-W, weak central brightening. Appears to have an irregular surface brightness, though viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma. Two mag 12.5-13 stars form an isosceles triangle with the galaxy 1.2' N and 1.2' W.
On the DSS this is a distorted interacting system with two brighter condensations and long, faint tidal plumes. This object should be viewed from a more southerly latitude to see detail. Member of the small NGC 1512 group (LGG 108).
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1487 = D 480 = h2597 on 29 Oct
1826. He described "a very
faint ill-defined nebula, with two or three very small stars in it, and a small
star following." There is
nothing at his published position, but 83 seconds of RA west is the interacting
system
John Herschel observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps. On 24 Oct 1835 (sweep 639) he recorded "pB, pL, R, 90"; makes a triangle with two stars 13th mag about 1 radius of nebula (by diagram) from its edge."
Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 26 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p. 151 of his logbook). He noted it had a mottled appearance and was "rather irregular in shape, of rather an oval form...the sp side is brider than the rest of the nebula." NGC 1487 is a distorted triple system.
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04 00 04.3 +18 34 02; Tau
= **, Thomson. Incorrect ID in RNGC, CGCG, RC3.
Edward Cooper discovered NGC 1488 = Au 19 with a 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland. While compiling the comprehensive Markree ecliptic Catalogue it as noted (probably by asistant Andrew Graham) as a nebulous mag 12 star. At his position is a 9" pair of stars. Bigourdan reported finding a 13th mag double star with no nebulosity. Engelhardt also made a micrometric measurement of the components of this double star.
RNGC, CGCG and RC3 misidentify
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03 57 38.2 -19 12 58; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 12°
17.5" (2/22/03): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.4', nearly uniform surface brightness. Situated between a mag 10.8 star 2.7' W and a mag 11.4 star 4' NE.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1489 = LM 2-394 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
15.0, 1.0'x0.6', E 190° (SSW-NNE)."
His position is 40 sec of RA east of
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03 53 34.4 -66 01 05; Ret
V = 12.4; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 142°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 280x
appeared bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very bright
20" core that increases to the center, surrounded by a diffuse 1.2'
halo. A faint star is embedded at
the east edge of the halo. NGC
1503 lies 18' E and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1490 = h2599 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, S, lE, pretty much brighter middle, 18" diameter." His position is accurate.
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04 03 13.6 +51 18 58; Per
Size 3'x3'
18" (1/20/07): at 115x and 174x and OIII filter appears as a bright, large, elongated HII region on the west side of an 11th magnitude star. Appears roughly 4'x2', extending SSW to NNE and brighter on the south end. The west side has a fairly hard, well-defined edge while the east side is more irregular and fades into the background. Four faint stars are involved on the northern end and a pair of fainter stars are at the south end.
17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, this is a moderately bright, roundish glow, ~3' diameter. Extends mostly west of a mag 11 star, wrapping around the star, particularly on the north side. Excellent contrast gain with an OIII filter as it appears bright with an irregular surface brightness. There is a subtle bite cut out of the nebulosity on the east side that creates a darker hollow extending just west of the star. At 220x (unfiltered), about a half dozen stars are involved or at the edges. The nebulosity is quite irregular with a high surface brightness region preceding the star. Faint, elongated haze extends from this patch to the NE past the star giving an elongated appearance. A pair of mag 13-14 stars is at the northern end and another pair is just off the western edge.
17.5" (12/7/90): at 140x with OIII filter appears as a bright, moderately large, circular nebulosity involving a mag 11 star. The brightest portion lies to the west of the star and is elongated 3:2 ~N-S. There appears be a dark gap just west of the mag 11 star. Two very faint stars are superimposed near the edges.
13.1" (1/18/85): bright emission nebula just west of a mag 10.5 star, extends SW-NE, interesting shape.
8" (11/14/80): bright, large, ~6' diameter. A mag 10.5 star is at the east side.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1491 = H. I-258 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "vB, iF, resolvable, bM, 5' l, 3 or 4' br. A pL star in it towards the following side, but unconnected." His position is fairly accurate, though Dreyer used a micrometric position of an involved star by Engelhardt. See Corwin's notes.
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03 58 13.1 -35 26 48; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 10°
18" (1/21/04): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, fairly even surface brightness. Located 1.5' N of a mag 13 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1492 = h2598 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "vF, vS, R, 10'." His position is accurate, though, his size of 10' is probably a typo for 10".
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NGC 1493 = ESO 249-033 = AM 0355-462 = LGG 106-004 = PGC 14163
03 57 28 -46 12 36; Hor
V = 11.3; Size 3.5'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.7
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 3.0' diameter, broad concentration. Contains a brighter, elongated core or "bar" oriented ~E-W. The halo contains a strong suggestion of irregular spiral structure. A mag 15 star is at the east edge of the halo. This face-on SBcd galaxy is a member of LGG 106 (subgroup of the Dorado Group).
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1493 = D 438 = h2600 with his 9-inch reflector on 2 Sep 1826 and described "a very faint nebula, about 1' diameter, round figure". JH first logged it on 14 Dec 1835 and noted "F, vL, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 3'; sky dull, a haze forming." On a second sweep he was critical of Dunlop's discovery and commented "faint; large; round; very gradually a little brighter in the middle; 2.5' across. With 9" aperture, and a mirror newly polished yesterday, and in high beauty, it is barely possible to discern with the utmost attention that this nebula exists; but to have discovered it with that aperture and power 180 would have been quite out of the question; possibly, however, 90 might show it better." Despite Herschel's skepticism, Dunlop's position is unusually accurate.
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03 57 42.5 -48 54 32; Hor
V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 179°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 N-S, 2.4'x1.5'. Contains an elongated bar-like core with a suggestion of
spiral structure and mottling (HII regions) in the halo. A distinctive trio of mag 12-12.5 stars
(separations 30"-45") lie 3.5' N. Located 14' W of mag 7.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1494 = h2601 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, L, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 70" dia." On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2.5'; has north of it a triangle of stars 12th mag." His position and description is accurate.
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03 58 21 -44 28 00; Hor
V = 12.6; Size 3.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 104°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright or fairly bright, fairly large, very thin edge-on 8:1 WNW-ESE, 2.5'x0.3', broad concentration but no well-defined core, slightly mottled or uneven appearance, fades at tips with the ESE tip fainter. A mag 11.8 star lies 1.9' SE of center and a mag 9.4 star is 5.9' ESE, nearly collinear with the major axis. Possible member of the Dorado Group (NGC 1433 subgroup?).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1495 = h2602 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "F, E in the parallel, very gradually very little brighter middle, 60" l, 40" br." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
NGC 1495 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "Elongated at 105° instead of 90° [parallel] as given in the NGC."
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04 04 32 +52 39 42; Per
Size 6'
17.5" (12/28/94): 20 stars mag 12-15 in a 5' region elongated E-W. The stars are mainly arranged in a semicircle open to the east with several nice close pairs! The brightest mag 11 star is on the NE end of the semicircle and the SE end is a very close double. An isolated mag 10 star is 4' SW and 0.8' NE of this star is an evenly matched mag 14 pair at 7" separation.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1496 = h310 on 8 Nov 1831 (sweep 384) and recorded a "curious knot of stars forming a cluster in form the segment of an elliptic ring." His position and and description accurates describes this cluster.
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04 02 06.8 +23 07 59; Tau
V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 60°
48" (10/31/13): moderately bright to fairly bright,
moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 45"x30", contains a bright
core. A mag 12.7 star is 1.1' SW
of center. Brightest in a group
with
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, forms a triangle with two stars to the south. UGC 2927 lies 6' WSW. Located 15' E of ∑479 = 7.0/7.9 at 7" and about 3.5° SE of the Pleiades.
13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, roundish, slightly brighter middle, a pair of stars are just south.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1497 = St. 8b-13 on 13 Jan 1872 and logged a rough position 9' to the SW. His published micrometric position (list 8 second part, #13) was made on 11 Dec 1876.
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04 00 19.4 -12 01 11; Eri
Size 0.7
17.5" (12/30/99): at 220x, this is an easily resolved trio of mag 13.5-14 stars forming a small isosceles triangle (separations of 30", 30", 45"). This triple star or asterism is the closest object to William Herschel's position but it's difficult to see how he confused it with a poor cluster.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1498 = H. VII-3 on 8 Feb 1784 (sweep 136). He recorded "a small cluster of compressed stars, containing some pretty large." In the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" Dreyer noted "there is no very pronounced cluster near the place." Herschel's reference star was 3 Leporis with an offset of -72m 30s and -30' dec. This places NGC 1498 at 03 59 54 -12 01 (J2000) and Auwer's reduction gives the same position. A close trio of mag 13/14 stars lies at 04 00 19.4 -12 01 11 (mean of three stars with a maximum separation of ~45"), which is a plausible candidate although it doesn't qualify as a "small cluster of compressed stars."
Pietro Baracchi searched for this object unsuccessfully a couple of times with the Great Melbourne Telescope in 1887. See Corwin's notes for more of the story.
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04 03 14 +36 22 06; Per
Size 145'x40'
17.5" (1/16/02): Despite its reputation as a challenging target, this was an easy, fascinating object at 64x with a H-beta filter. The California Nebula is HUGE and extended a full two eyepiece fields even using a 31 Nagler for a total length of over 2.5 degrees and with a varying width of 15'-30', extended WNW-ESE. The E-W border is well-defined with a filter, particularly in the general vicinity of Xi Persei (middle of three naked-eye stars in the leg of Perseus collinear with the Pleiades) on the southern border and a long straight stretch on the northern edge. Along the northern edge, there is some filamentary, wispy structure similar to the view of the Veil nebula in a small scope!
The nebulosity is weaker and more disorganized, though, close to the preceding and following ends. The nebula tapers towards the eastern end where there are some additional brighter streaks and dark intrusions near a group of stars. Portions of the central region are clearly fainter with no evident structure. At the west end the structure is also chaotic with an irregular mix of weak nebulosity and darker voids. There is much to view here even at 64x, and I spent 30 minutes scanning the entire length for structure.
17.5" (10/28/89): the California Nebula requires very low power and visibility is best using an H-beta filter. At 82x appears very large, faint, very elongated, irregular low surface brightness with darker lanes and some wispy structure along the edges. The most well-defined section of the border is near a mag 8.5 star bordering the southern edge. Located roughly 30' N of mag 4.0 Xi Persei.
13.1" (1/18/85): definite contrast gain with H-beta filter as only the section NW of Xi was definite using a Daystar 300 filter (siimlar to UHC), but the H-beta shows the full extent easily.
13x80mm (1/13/07): excellent view in my 80mm finder using a 24mm Panoptic and an H-beta filter as a huge, elongated bar of fairly high contrast stretching across the field. The glow is generally brightest in the broad middle section between Xi Persei and the 6th magnitude star off the central north side. The nebula noticeably tapers towards the southeast end as the northern side of this end squeezes inward. Similarly, the northwest end also tapers as the northern boundary narrows towards the southern side.
13x80mm (2/5/21): very nice view with the 24mm Panoptic and an H-beta filter, as the 5° field frames the 2.5° wide nebula. Slightly brighter in the middle section, particularly on both the south and north border.
16x80mm (7/27/84): very large and faint, very elongated WNW-ESE, sharper and brighter on WNW edge, very low surface brightness. Improved contrast with an H-beta filter.
15x50mm IS binoculars (8/27/11): very faintly visible as a large, elongated glow near Xi Persei using a pair of 2" H-beta filters over the objectives.
Naked-eye (11/30/21): the California Nebula appeared as a bright, high contrast, very elongated glow using a handheld 1x image-intensifier monocular (PVS-14 L3 Gen3 Un-Filmed White Phosphor model) with a narrowband H-alpha filter. The Pleiades, nearly 13° to the SSW, shared the same naked-eye field on the screen.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1499, the California Nebula, on 3 Nov 1885 while searching for comets with the 6-inch Cooke Equatorial refractor at Vanderbilt University Observatory. In the Sidereal Messenger (Vol 5, p27), he reported "this requires the lowest power and cannot be seen by direct vision. It is only by directing the vision slightly to one side of its place that it is pssible to see it, then flashes out feebly." The NGC position is near the following end.
Simon Archenhold produced the first photograph on 27 Oct 1891. He quickly published an article with a sketch of the outline (nearly 2°) and apparently felt it was too large photographically to be identical to Barnard's intended object. Barnard responded in an 1894 article that he discovered this object visually and published a photograph taken in 1895 with the Willard lens in Astrophysical Journal, 2, 350.
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03 58 13.9 -52 19 42; Dor
V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 88°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.6'x0.5', weak concentration. Nearly on a line between a mag 11.2 star 2.6' WNW and a mag 10.2 star 4.7' ESE.
NGC 1500 is the brightest member of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1500 = h2603 on 24 Dec 1837 and logged "F, vS, R, pretty much brighter middle, 12"; has a star 8th mag 15.5 tsec preceding in RA, to northward." Herschel noted this nebula might be equivalent to James Dunlop's D 369, which was described as "a faint nebula, elliptical in the parallel of the equator, about 30" long and 12" broad". Dunlop's position is 2 min 30 sec of RA east of this galaxy and not nearly as elongated as Dunlop's description. This equivalence is not given by Glen Cozens or Wolfgang Steinicke.
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04 06 59.4 +60 55 15; Cam
V = 11.9; Size 56"x48"; PA = 98°
18" (11/7/07): superb view at 450x in good seeing. The 1' diameter disc is slightly elongated ~E-W, ~60"x50" with a very narrow, brighter rim and darker center. The mag 14.4 central star was steadily visible. On closer inspection the thin rim was clearly irregular in surface brightness and slightly brighter along the southwest and northeast sides with a couple of tiny knots embedded in the rim. The slightly darker interior was weakly mottled or patchy with subtle variations in surface brightness.
17.5" (1/8/00): at 100x, this moderately bright PN was irregularly round, 1' diameter, weakly annular with a faint glimpse of the central star. There was a good contrast gain with the OIII filter and the image was crisp-edged, slightly elongated SW-NE and the small, darker center was more evident. Excellent view at 220x with the faint central star (mag 14.4) clearly visible. The surface brightness was irregular with an unevenly brighter outer rim. The central star was visible steadily at 280x and the overall surface brightness was mottled or "clumpy" (brighter on west and NE rim), darkening in the center.
17.5" (9/14/85): bright, moderately large, almost round, 1' diameter, high surface brightness. An easy mag 14.2 central star is visible. Appears darker near the central star with a brighter rim.
13.1" (1/28/84): slightly annular, very faint mag 14 central star visible.
8": fairly faint, moderately large, bluish, slightly elongated, sharp-edged.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1501 = H. IV-53 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) with a power of 157x. Using the front-view design (no secondary) he noted "a very curious planetary nebula of nearly 1' in diameter; it is round, pretty well defined of a uniform light and pretty bright." Just 6 nights later, he reported "with 360x much magnitified, but still the borders pretty abruptly defined, irregularly elliptical." John Herschel didn't report an observation.
On 15 Jan 1868 Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, reported "a bright ring and inside it a dark annulus, very decided. A star in the centre seen very clearly and continuously with various powers; suspect variable [unequal?] brightness in the ring, perhaps a dark spot in it nearly on the p side. The f side of the ring appears broadest and to approach the central star nearer than the preceding side does. The n and s sides of the ring seem rather brighter than the p and f sides. Suspect other bright points in it, but am not at all certain. It is slightly elliptical, its major axis being nearly p and f."
George Searle of Harvard identified the emission spectrum in 1879. Based on a Crossley photograph, Curtis (1918) described, "central star nearly mag 12, surrounded by a very irregular and patchy elliptical disk, about 56"x48" in pa 98°. The periphery shows traces of a broken ring formation the brightest portions are the edges at the ends of the minor axis." Based on a Mt. Wilson photograph with the 60", Pease (1917) reported "this is a fine planetary of regular elliptical shape, 60"x45", p.a. 120°, with protuberances at each end of the minor axis making a total breadth 53". The nebula is irregularly mottled, bearing a resemblance to the convolutions of the brain."
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04 07 49 +62 19 54; Cam
V = 5.7; Size 8'
13.1" (1/28/84): bright, striking cluster, 40 stars
visible in a trapezoidal outline.
The brightest is the striking double STF 485 = 7.0/7.1 at 18" and
the cluster also includes STF 484 = 9.0/9.5 at 5". NGC 1502 is located near the SE end of
the chain of stars "Kemble's Cascade". The cluster, part of the Camelopardalis OB1 association,
contains 17 type-
William Herschel discovered NGC 1502 = H. VII-47 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "a cluster of stars, pretty rich and considerably compressed, slightly extended, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure." The cluster was found about 1/2 minute after discovering the planetary NGC 1501.
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03 56 33.5 -66 02 28; Ret
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 25" diameter. Contains a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. Located 18' E of brighter NGC 1490.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1503 = h2604 on 2 Nov 1834 and
logged "eF, S, R, (a doubtful object) Has a * on p, 10th mag 3'
dist." His position is 1' N
of
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04 02 29.7 -09 20 07; Eri
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round,
20" diameter. Appears as a
low surface brightness spot sandwiched between
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1504 = LM 1-120 (along with NGC
1505 = LM 1-121) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander
McCormick Observatory. His rough
positions (nearest min of RA) correspond with
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NGC 1505 = MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339
04 02 36.4 -09 19 21; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 40"x30". Increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11.5-12.5 stars 3.5' WSW and SSW. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 1504 1.8' SW (inside the triangle).
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1505 = LM 1-121 (along with NGC 1504 = LM 1-120) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) matches MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339. MCG does not label this galaxy NGC 1505.
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04 00 21.6 -52 34 25; Dor
V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 ~SW-NE, 35"x25", weak
concentration, gradually increases to a faint stellar nucleus. Situated between a mag 13 star 1.8' SW
and a mag 13.5 star 1.1' NE.
Member of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1506 = h2605 on 23 Dec 1837 and logged "eeeF, S, R.". On the next sweep (when brighter NGC 1500 was also discovered) he added "between two stars 12th and 13th mag." His position and description matches.
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04 04 27.1 -02 11 21; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 3.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 11°
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 N-S, even surface brightness. A mag 10.5 star is 3.4' SSE and a mag 13 star is 1.2' W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1507 = H. II-279 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and recorded "mE, easily resolvable, about 4' long, some of the stars [in it] visible." On 1 Feb 1786 (ssweep 518) he noted "vF, mE, very little brighter middle, about 3' l."
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04 05 47.6 +25 24 31; Tau
V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 25°
17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright
core.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1508 = St. 8b-14 on 1 Dec 1875 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory. He measured an accurate position (list 8b, #14) on 15 Dec 1876.
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04 03 55.2 -11 10 44; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (12/30/99): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. This is a very compact galaxy with a fairly high surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is 1' E.
NGC 1509 = IC 2026 forms a close pair with
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1509 = LM 1-122 = Sw. 5-59 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Stone reported (2 observations), "mag 14.0, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle." His rough position (accurate to the nearest min of RA and less than 1' too far north) is close enough to be unambiguous.
Lewis Swift found NGC 1509 again on 22 Oct 1886 and reported it in his 5th discovery list as "vF; vS; lE; F* nr p[receding]." His RA was 9 too large and it's possible the "F* nr p" refers to PGC 14389 (as I almost thought). Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. Dreyer credited both Swift and Stone with the discovery in the NGC (in that order), but the Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, so discovery priority goes to Stone.
Bigourdan reobserved the galaxy in 1897 but assumed it was a nova (misidentifying a nearby star as NGC 1509) and it received the number IC 2026. So, NGC 1509 = IC 2026. Howe also observed the field in 1899-1900 and measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver. See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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04 03 32.6 -43 24 01; Hor
V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 90°
13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round, only 20" diameter. Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 13.5 stars ~1.8' S and 1.7' WSW. Located 5' SW of NGC 1512.
13.1" (11/29/86): not seen although far south from northern California. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1512.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1510 = h2606 on 4 Dec 1836 and recorded "F; R; vgpmbM, 80" dia. Not resolved. A companion to Dunlop 466 [NGC 1512]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1511 = ESO 055-004 = AM 0359-674 = KTS 23A = LGG 107-002 = PGC 14236
03 59 36.9 -67 38 03; Hyi
V = 11.3; Size 3.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 125°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, ~2.5'x0.8'. Contains a bright, elongated core with a small very bright nucleus. Two stars mag 14-15 stars bracket the galaxy just 54" E and 1.3' W of center and just north of the center. The northeast flank of the galaxy appears slightly brighter and more sharply defined and there is an impression of a dust lane on the south side. At 260x the galaxy has a mottled appearance and is slightly warped or asymmetric at the tips. A mag 10.8 star lies 3.5' SSE and a fainter edge-on NGC 1511A is in the field 11' SSE.
NGC 1511A appeared fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on
7:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.4', broadly concentrated with a slightly bulging core. NGC 1511 is a member of a small group
that includes NGC 1473, NGC 1511A and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1511 = h2608 on 2 Nov 1834 and
described "pB; mE; very gradually brighter middle; 90" l; pos
125.5°." His position and
description matches
The galaxy was sketched by Joseph Turner in 1876 (unpublished plate II, figure 12) using the Great Melbourne Telescope and later by Pietro Baracchi.
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NGC 1512 = ESO 250-004 = MCG -07-09-007 = AM 0402-433 = LGG 108-003 = PGC 14391
04 03 54.2 -43 20 56; Hor
V = 10.3; Size 8.9'x5.6'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 90°
13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 SW-NE. Sharply concentrated with a bright, 30" core. The tightly bound spiral "ring" was not seen, although there was some brightening at the southwest and northeast ends of the major axis, where the spiral arms emerge from the central bar. Forms a pair with NGC 1510 5' SW.
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated. Forms a pair with NGC 1510 5' SW. Very far south for viewing from Northern California.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1512 = D 466 = h2607 on 29 Oct
1826 and described "a small faint round nebula, about 25" diameter, a
little brighter in the centre: a star of 10th or 12th magnitude preceding the
nebula [
John Herschel made 3 observations: On 24 Oct 1835 he logged "bright, large, slightly elongated, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle, 3' diameter; it is just north of a great group of large stars 6, 7 and 8th mag, scattered over two or three fields." On a second sweep he noted "Globular. bright, pretty large, round, 3' diameter. Resolved into stars barely perceptible." Finally, on a third sweep he recorded "B, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle." Based on the second description, Herschel identified this object as a globular cluster in the General Catalouge.
Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1512 on 5 Dec 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus and faint halo. He commented "I cannot make out any distinct appearance of stars, although at times there is a suspicion of sparkling about the center - Indeed it has all the appearance of an ordinary nebula, round and much brighter in the centre. His unpublished lithograph (plate II, figure 13) shows a ring surrounding the core and nucleus. The east side of the halo or ring seems to be connected to the core by a bar.
Dreyer identified NGC 1512 as a globular in the NGC, following the GC. NGC 1512 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and "identified as extremely faint ring nebula. Long exposure needed." Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt, the galaxy was described in 1921 as a Phi-type (barred-ring) spiral.
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04 09 55 +49 31 00; Per
V = 8.4; Size 9'
13.1" (1/18/85): about 60 stars mag 11 and fainter over unresolved background glow. Located 50' SE of Lambda Persei (V = 4.3).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1513 = H. VII-60 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "A L cl of considerable L stars, pretty compressed and very rich, irregularly round, about 7' dia." His position is accurate.
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04 09 17.0 +30 46 33; Tau
V = 10.9; Size 136"x121"
48" (10/25/14): at 610x unfiltered; very bright and large; very irregular surface brightness, the rim varies greatly in thickness and brightness. The relatively thick rim is very bright in the northwest quadrant, along roughly a 70° arc. A second enhanced portion of the rim is along the southeast end (~35° arc) and a third slightly smaller, bright region (more circular) is on the east end. The rim is weak on the south or south-southwest end as well as the north and northeast side. A mag 17 star is at the edge of the rim on the southwest end. A few modest outer lobes were evident; the rim bulges out on the southeast side (near the two enhancements on this end) and to a lesser extent on the northwest and the south end. The mag 9.5 star at the center and a very faint companion to its southeast are surrounded by a darker central hole.
18" (2/4/08): at 175x, appears as a large, roundish glow (~2.5'x2.2) surrounding a bright mag 9.4 central star. Excellent response to UHC and OIII filters. The surface brightness is clearly irregular with subtle brighter and darker regions. The SW and NE ends were slightly dimmer, while the NW and SE portions of the rim were brighter. The region around the central star was also slightly darker.
17.5" (12/30/99): at 100x, moderately bright, round, ~2' halo surrounding a prominent mag 9.5 star. Displayed an excellent response to UHC and OIII blinking while the H-beta filter killed the PN (OIII/H-beta = 12). Using the OIII filter, the surface brightness was noticeably uneven, with the NW quadrant of the rim clearly brighter. The SE end was also weakly enhanced while the center and ends of the minor axis were slightly darker. At 220x using a UHC filter, the halo appeared nearly 2.5' in diameter. There was a small, darker "hole" surrounding the central star and the halo was clearly irregular with a brighter "knot" on the SE side, while the NW portion of the halo was brighter along the rim.
17.5" (9/14/85): very bright, large, round, 2'
diameter. Contains a very bright
mag 9.5 central star surrounded by a fairly bright halo with an irregular
surface brightness. Located midway
between mag 8.3
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, fairly large, round, dominated by a mag 9.5 central star.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1514 = H. IV-69 = h311 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980). He wrote, "A most singular phenomenon. A star of about 8th magnitude with a faint luminous atmosphere of a circular form, and about 3' in diameter. The star is perfectly in the center and the atmosphere is so diluted, faint and equal throughout that there can be no surmise of its consisting of stars; nor can there be a doubt of the evident connection between the atmosphere and the star. Another star, not much less in brightness and in the same field with the above, was perfectly free from any such appearance." The full description and sketch (fig. 8) were included in his 1814 PT paper.
The striking symmetry of NGC 1514 caused Herschel to rethink his idea of planetary nebulae. He previously assumed all nebulae were unresolved stellar clusters of some kind, disguised by their great distance. After this observation he was convinced of the existence of pure nebulosity (1791 PT paper "On Nebulous Stars"), out of which individual stars or planets were born and he no longer expected every nebula to be resolved with enough aperture. This essentially destroyed his interest in the 40-foot telescope (48-inch aperture), although the difficulty in using this unwieldy scope was also a major factor.
John Herschel made two observation and noted on 17 Jan 1827 (sweep 56): "A *9 m with a dilute, faint, equable nebulous atmosphere 60" or 90" diameter. Other stars 9 m have no atmosphere." A total of 20 observations of NGC 1514 were made with the 72" at Birr Castle with one of the earliest (13 Jan 1852) by Bindon Stoney. He described NGC 1514 as a "new spiral of an annular form round the star, which is central; Brightest part is sf the star, spirality is very faint, but I have no doubt of its existence". Assistants Stoney and later R.J. Mitchell sketched an irregular rim with brighter and dimmer sections. Samuel Hunter made a sketch on 9 Jan 1858 with a brighter reversed "S" shape within an oval halo. A version of this sketch was chosen (over Stoney and Mitchell's sketches) for Rosse's 1861 publication (plate XXV, figure 7). Resolving spiral structure was a major theme at Birr Castle but irregularities in the rim was likely the cause of this illusion.
Edward Pickering verified it was gaseous nebula based on its spectrum in 1879.
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04 04 03.0 -54 06 10; Dor
V = 11.2; Size 5.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 18°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
showpiece galaxy with a close companion at 260x. Very bright and large, very elongated at least 4:1 SSW-NNE,
~4.5'x1' with a bulging core -- similar to a smaller version of
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1515 = D348 = h2609 on 5 Nov 1826 using his 9-inch f/12 reflector from Parramatta. He found "a very faint nebula, about 35 arcseconds diameter. This precedes a group of small stars." His position is 1 min 15 sec of RA too far east (typical error) and a group of mag 12 stars follows, clinching the identification. John Herschel first observed this galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "B, L, very much extended, gradually brighter in the middle; 3' l, 40" br".
Joseph Turner observed this galaxy on 26 Nov 1877 and Pietro Baracchi on 6 Dec 1885 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope but neither noticed the companion close west.
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04 08 07.4 -08 49 46; Eri
Size 1.2'x0.6'; PA = 147°
24" (2/5/21):
17.5" (2/11/96): at first view (fairly poor seeing) appeared as a single but irregular galaxy elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'. In periods of better seeing, the system resolved into an extremely close contact pair [21" between centers] with the brighter component at the SSE end, round, 25" diameter. The fainter component is attached at the NNW end, round, 20" diameter. A mag 15 star lies 1' S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1516 = H. III-499 = h2610 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and recorded "very faint, small, extended, easily resolvable." John Herschel observed this double system twice from the Cape of Good Hope, recording on his second sweep, "vF; first very gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 20" diameter".
Ormond Stone independently found this system again on 31 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He resolved the individual members
(catalogued as I-113 and I-114) , noting a separation of 0.5' in PA 340°
[NNW-SSE], but his rough position (nearest min of RA) is over two minutes of RA
too large. Dreyer assumed these were
new nebulae and assigned the numbers
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04 09 11.9 +08 38 56; Tau
V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3
13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located just 1.0' NW of a mag 10 star.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1517 = St. 13-25 on 19 Oct
1883. His published position was
reduced on 23 Dec 1884 and matches
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04 06 49.1 -21 10 35; Eri
V = 11.8; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35°
18" (1/21/04): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~2.8'x1.0', broad concentration with a large bulging core and tapered ends. Irregular, mottled surface brightness and fades on the SW end. Located 2.6' NE a mag 10 star.
17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.7'x0.9', weak concentration. Located 2.5' NE of a mag 9.5 star. Appears asymmetric with the SW end close to the bright star much fainter than the main body.
8" (1/1/84): faint, very elongated 3:1 streak
SW-NE. A mag 10 star 2.5' SW
interferes with viewing.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1518 = h2611 on 6 Jan 1785 and
recorded "B; L; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; has a *8 mag
south-preceding 3' or 4' dist."
There is nothing at his position but
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04 08 07.6 -17 11 34; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 107°
24" (1/1/19): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large,
very elongated nearly 4:1 WNW-ENE, low but irregular surface brightness, weak
concentration, 0.9'x0.25'. Located
4.6' NW of mag 8.5
UGCA 88 appeared very faint, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, low surface brightness patch, fades out at periphery so difficult to gauge the diameter.
17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very
elongated 3:1 ~E-W, broad concentration.
Located 4.6' NNW of mag 8.8
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1519 = T. 1-14 = T. 5-2 on 2
Jan 1878 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His ring micrometer position in list V
is an exact match with
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03 57 51 -76 48 20; Men
Size 5'
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly small and poor cluster or asterism of a dozen stars mag 9.6 and fainter in a 5' region. The group was not impressive but it was detached in the field, so it was easy to identify. Viewed through thin clouds.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1520 = h2615 on 8 Nov 1836 and described "a poor cluster of about a dozen stars 9...12m within a space of about 5', the largest taken." His position corresponds with a mag 9 star surrounded by a small group of stars.
NGC 1520 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "No cluster seen, only scattered stars." Andrew Lindsay reported in 1964IrAJ....6..286L: "Not found. Centred on CPD -77°154. Star distribution seems normal." RNGC repeated this, although ESO classifies the object as an open cluster.
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NGC 1521 = ESO 550-011 = MCG -04-10-015 = PGC 14520
04 08 18.9 -21 03 07; Eri
V = 11.4; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 10°
18" (1/21/04): moderately bright, fairly small,
slightly elongated N-S, ~1.2'x1.0', fairly well concentrated with a small
bright core and stellar nucleus.
Mag 8.4
8" (1/1/84): faint, very small, round, weakly concentrated. Located 5' NNW of mag 8.5 SAO 169161. Forms a pair with NGC 1518 22' WSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1521 = h2612 on 21 Nov 1835 and logged "pB; R; bM; barely in time and too late for a good observation." Nevertheless, his position matches ESO 550-011 = PGC 14520.
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04 06 07.7 -52 40 12; Dor
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 42°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE,
30"x20", very small brighter core. A mag 15.8 star is just off the NW
side, 30" from center. A mag
13.5 star lies 1.3' NE of center.
Located 14' SW of mag 8.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1522 = h2613 on 27 Dec 1834 and
described "eeF, vS, R, 12". In a very dark field, no star 13th mag
within 5'." On a second sweep he called it "vF, vS, R, very little brighter
middle, 12" dia". His position matches
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04 06 11 -54 05 24; Dor
Size 25"
= Asterism consisting of 4 mag 15 stars with maximum separation 25".
John Herschel discovered NGC 1523 = h2614 on 6 Dec 1834 and logged "vF, R." His position is roughly 2 min of RA east of NGC 1515 (recorded on the same sweep) and just north are four mag 14/15 stars. DeLisle Stewart reported "Only 3 vF st, not a nebula" based on plates taken at Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901. ESO also called this object "4 faint stars only". See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1524 = NGC 1516A = MCG -02-11-017 = PGC 14515
04 08 07.4 -08 49 47; Eri
Size 0.5'x0.4'
24" (2/5/21): NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 is the northwestern component of an interacting double system with NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 [24" between centers]]. At 260x; it appeared fairly faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, very small or stellar nucleus.
17.5" (2/11/96): at first view (fairly poor seeing) NGC 1516 appeared as a single but irregular galaxy elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'. In periods of better seeing, the system resolved into an extremely close contact pair [21" between centers] with the fainter NNW component appearing round, 20" diameter.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1524 = LM 1-123, along with NGC 1525, on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He described a double system at 0.5' separation in PA 340° (NNW-SSE). There is nothing at the published position, but 2 minutes of RA (time) to the west is NGC 1516, discovered by William Herschel (H. III-499), and his sketch confirms the intended objects. Neither William or John resolved the close pair of galaxies. So, NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 and NGC 1516B = NGC 1525. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1525 = NGC 1516B = MCG -02-11-018 = PGC 14516
04 08 08.2 -08 50 08; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.2
24" (2/5/21): NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 is the slightly larger southeastern component of a double system with NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 [24" between centers]. At 260x, NGC 1516B was nearly moderately bright, round, 25" diameter, very small bright nucleus with a sharp peak at the center. A mag 15 star is 1.2' S.
17.5" (2/11/96): this is the brighter SSE component of an extremely close double system with NGC 1516A. It appeared round, 25" diameter. A mag 15 star is 1' S.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1525 = LM 1-124 (along with NGC 1524 = LM 1-123) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He reported finding a double system at 0.5' separation in PA 340° (NNW-SSE). NGC 1525 = NGC 1524B. See notes for NGC 1524 for the story.
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04 05 12.3 -65 50 23; Ret
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 36°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~25"x20", even surface brightness. Situated just south of a 10' x 1.5' group of 8 stars including a mag 9.8 star just 3.3' NNE. Viewed in poor conditions.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1526 = h2617 on 2 Nov 1834 and
logged "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, among B stars; one = 9th
mag, 3' north." His position
and description matches
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04 08 24.4 -47 53 50; Hor
V = 10.8; Size 3.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 78°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:1 WSW-ENE, 3.2'x1.2'. Very sharply concentrated with a blazing core that is elongated 2:1, increasing to a very small, intense nucleus. A mag 14 star lies 1.2' N of center and a mag 15.3 star is a similar distance south of center. Probable member of the Dorado Group.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1527 = D 409 = D 429 = h2612 on 28 Sep 1826 and described "a very small and very faint round nebula, about 20" diameter." His position was 10' too far NE. D 429 is probably a duplicate observation with a 55' error in declination (too far north).
John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 28 Dec 1834 while searching for D 409 and recorded "B, E, small pretty much brighter middle, growing more round internally; 60" long, 30" broad; pos 77°." On a second sweep he called it "pB, E, very small brighter middle to a roundish nucleus." His third observation logged it as "pB, pmE, very small & very much brighter middle; seen in sweeping in vain for Dunlop 409." Herschel tentatively suggested this object corresponded with Dunlop 409 in the Cape Catalogue though the equivalence was not mentioned in the NGC.
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04 15 19 +51 12 42; Per
V = 6.4; Size 24'
13.1" (1/18/85): 80-100 stars in a 20' diameter. There are three bright stars on the
west side including mag 8.5
William Herschel discovered NGC 1528 = H. VII-61 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and described "a beautiful cluster of large stars, very rich, and considerably compressed, about 15' diameter." His position is near the center of this cluster.
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04 07 19.7 -62 53 57; Ret
V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 164°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 45"x18", very
small bright core gradually increasing to a stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with brighter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1529 = h2619 on 9 Dec 1836 and
commented "vF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"
dia.". His position matches
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04 23 26.7 +75 17 44; Cam
V = 11.5; Size 4.6'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 17°
48" (10/29/16): at 488x; bright showpiece barred spiral! A relatively wide, very prominent bar extends WNW-ENE [PA 122°] and is steeply inclined to the orientation of the core. The bright core, centered on the bar, is elongated N-S and contains a very bright round nucleus that increases to the center. Two relatively bright and very distinctive thin spiral arms extend from the ends of the bar. The western arm is brightest in a region near the root, where it attaches to the bar and contains a small knot. The spiral arm is mostly visible extending north ~1.5' and only slightly curving east. A short, low contrast section of the arm extends south of the bar. A second long thin arm nearly perpendicular to the bar extends south a similar 1.5'. It is also brightest at its origin on the east end of the bar. The arm only extends a short distance and blends into the low surface brightness glow of the halo on the north side. From north to south tips of the arms is at least 3'. Two mag 15 stars are at the NE edge and a collinear mag 15.5 star is off the NW arm.
24" (12/28/13): at 200x, appeared fairly bright, large, elongated nearly 3:2 N-S, ~3.5'x2.2'. Contains a large, brighter circular core within a very large, elongated halo. A low contrast, thin spiral arm is attached on the west side of the core and sweeps north at the edge of the halo and a similar enhancement is visible on the east side extending due south. Two mag 15 stars [22" separation] are superimposed on the NE side [1.1' from center] and a mag 12.8 star lies 2.5' N.
13.1" (1/19/85): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, almost round, gradual weak concentration, no nucleus.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1530 = T. 1-15 in 1876 with an
11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included in the GC Supplement
(GCS 5334). His matches
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04 11 59.3 -32 51 05; Eri
V = 12.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 122°
48" (10/22/11): very bright, moderately large, oval
~2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.7', well concentrated with a very bright core. Forms a beautiful pair with the
stunning edge-on
14.5" (12/17/20): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 NW-SE, 1'x0.5', brighter core.
13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated. Forms a close pair with larger and brighter NGC 1532 1.6' SE. Member of the NGC 1532 group (LGG 111).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1531 = h2620 on 19 Oct 1835 and recorded "faint, round, brighter in the middle, 60". The preceding of two [with NGC 1532]." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1532 = ESO 359-027 = MCG -05-11-002 = AM 0410-330 = LGG 111-003 = PGC 14638
04 12 04.3 -32 52 29; Eri
V = 9.9; Size 12.6'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 33°
48" (10/22/11): this showpiece edge-on stretches 7'x1.2', tilting SW-NE. The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a large, elongated, very bright core that is mottled and increases to the center. The surface is knotty, streaky and mottled. A striking dust lane runs along the major axis, slicing the galaxy asymmetrically into two parts to the south of the core. The dust lane expands to a larger, elongated (dark) patch on the NE side of the core. The section to the south of the dust lane is much thinner and brightens to a prominent, very bright knotty 1.5' streak on the SW end [brightest part of a tidal tail extending towards NGC 1531]. A very faint star (B = 18.2) is close to the southwest tip of the bright streak. The fainter strip of galaxy south of the dust lane near the core appears patchy, probably due to dust and star-forming knots. Just northwest of the core is NGC 1531, a bright elliptical that angles perpendicular to the core and forms a striking pair.
24" (12/1/16): SN 2016 iae, a type Ic supernova discovered on 7 Nov 2016, was observed 15" E and 52" N of center of NGC 1532, along the western edge of the spiral arm extending NNE. The major axis of the companion NGC 1531 off the west side, pointed exactly to an extremely faint "star". In poor seeing, the supernova was only occasionally visible, perhaps mag 15.5.
14.5" (12/17/20): at 140x and 182x; bright, very large edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, ~6'x1.2', forms an impressive pair with NGC 1531. Contains a very bright core that increases towards the center.
13.1" (12/22/84): bright, large, pretty edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, very bright nucleus, thin extensions. Forms a close pair with NGC 1531 1.6' NW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1532 = D 600 = h2621 on 29 Oct
1826. He described "an
extremely faint ill-defined nebula, rather elongated in the direction of the
meridian [N-S], gradually a little brighter towards the centre." His notes mention it was situated
southwest of a pretty bright star, which is mag 7.0
John Herschel observed this showpiece galaxy on 3 differents sweeps, recording it first on 19 Oct 1835 (sweep 635) as "B, vL, vmE, 5' long; A fine and curious object. The following and brighter of two [with NGC 1531]. In the ray is either a vF * or a knot in the nebula."
Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 30 Nov 1875 using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 14) as well as Albert Le Sueur on 31 Jan 1870 (unpublished plate VII, figure 82). Turner's sketch shows a brighter thin streak along the south edge of the southwest end of the galaxy.
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04 09 51.8 -56 07 06; Dor
V = 10.7; Size 2.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 151°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, moderately
large, 2.0' diameter, round, contains a small bright core. Collinear with two 11.5 magnitude stars
1' and 2' NE of center. Member of
the Dorado group with
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1533 = D 320 = h2622 on 5 Nov 1826. He described "a small faint nebula, south of two very small stars. Diameter about 12" diameter.", but his position was 1° too far north. Since NGC 1533 has two mag 11.5 star close north, this identification is likely, assuming a digit error in recording the declination. Glen Cozens first suggested this identification.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1533 again on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520) and recorded "vB, pL, R, suddenly much brighter middle to a stellar nucleus. Has two stars 10th mag N.f."
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NGC 1534 = ESO 084-006 = AM 0408-625 = LGG 110-002 = PGC 14547
04 08 46.2 -62 47 49; Ret
V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 76°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4'. A mag 13.7 star is at the SE edge,
25" from center and mag 8.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1534 = h2623 on 26 Dec 1834 and
recorded "F, S, R. Has a vS star following. Distance 1.5x radius of nebula
(by diagram)." His position
and description matches
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04 14 15.8 -12 44 22; Eri
V = 9.4; Size 48"x42"
48" (11/1/13): at 813x, this gorgeous planetary displayed an extremely bright, green double-shell structure. The 20" diameter inner ring was quite striking with slight irregularities in thickness and brightness and a very slight elongation. The darker interior of the inner ring was mottled with subtle darker and brighter patches around the mag 12.5 central star. The outer shell doubled the diameter and was slightly elongated ~N-S, 40"x35", with a mag 14.5-15 star superimposed on the NW side [16" from the central star]. With extended viewing there appeared to be subtle variations in brightness, almost like radial striations in the outer and inner shell. (Similar view on 10/23/14).
24" (11/24/14): I didn't take notes, but at 500x a mag 14.5-15 star was faintly visible near the NW edge of the outer shell [16" from center].
18" (1/1/08): In good seeing at 565x the complex double shell structure of this gorgeous planetary was remarkable. The bright mag 12.5 central star was surrounded by a well-defined dark central hole with subtle mottling. The bright inner ring (20" diameter) was relatively narrow, sharply defined and striking. The ring had a clumpy appearance, particularly on the north side and it dimmed slightly on the southeast side. An outer shell of fainter nebulosity doubled the diameter. Although the inner ring is round, the outer envelope was slightly elongated SSW-NNE. At 807x the view was stunning with brighter knots within the inner ring appearing to sparkle at times.
17.5" (12/30/99): this planetary has beautiful, bluish double-shell structure which was very evident at 100x surrounding a bright central star. The view at 380x and 500x was superb in good seeing. The double shell envelope was very prominent with a bright inner ring, ~20" diameter, with a fairly sharp edge embedded in a fainter roundish halo roughly doubling the diameter. The inner shell was irregularly darker surrounding the central star.
17.5" (2/8/91): very bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, mag 12.5 central star visible, blue color. This planetary has a double shell structure with inner shell slightly elongated and a faint rounder outer shell. Small dark gaps are visible around the central star.
13.1" (12/22/84): at 360x the central star visible surrounded by two shells. The bright inner shell has a small dark annulus surrounding the central star and the outer envelope is fainter and more diffuse.
8": bright, greenish, fairly small, round.
13x80mm finder (1/15/07): fairly bright stellar object at 13x in my 80mm finder and very easy to identify with blinking. Appears as a soft bluish star at 25x and definitely non-stellar at 32x and 54x.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1535 = H. IV-26 = h2618 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364). He recorded "a very curious planetary, very bright of a uniform brightness all but the edges which are ill defined; about half a minute in diameter. With 240x proportionally magnified, perfectly round or perhaps a little elliptical." He included his description in an addendum to his 1785 PT paper ("Construction of the Heavens") that was completed a month before the discovery. On 3 Oct (sweep 452) in good observing conditions he wrote, "it seems to have a small resolvable border, and is probably a very compressed cluster of stars at a great distance."
From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "B; S; R; first pretty suddenly, then very gradually brighter in the middle; 20" across. A mottled disc, but so hazy at the borders that I have no doubt of its being a very distant and highly compressed globular cluster. It is not a planetary nebula, though a near approach to one: does not bear magnifying. A power of 320 is of no use. A very remarkable and interesting object." Possibly irregularities in the rim influenced JH to believe it was a GC.
William Lassell observed NGC 1535 on 7 Jan 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector from Malta and commented, "the most interesting and extraordinary object of the kind I have ever seen. A bright well-defined star, perhaps 11th magnitude, right in the centre of a circular nebula, whose edge was the brightest part; and this nebula again placed upon a larger and fainter, concentric and equally symmetrical." His sketch was published in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 4) on observations from Malta. He sketched it again in 1862 with his 48-inch and wrote, "An extraordinary and beautiful Planetary Nebula powers 760 and 1060. The circumferential nebula fades away at its upper margin and the lowe and opposite part of the circumference is less strongly defined than the preceding and following sides. Moreover, the nucleus does not seem stellar, but a small patch of bright light."
In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found the supposed "globular cluster" displayed the spectrum of a planetary nebula. He was stationed in Bangalore, India for trigonometric surveying, but performed early spectroscopic investigations.
Ralph Copeland, made a detailed observation using Lord Rosse's 72" on 19 Dec 1873: "blue planetary nebula. A small stellar nucleus with a bright atmosphere surrounded by a fainter one [double-shell structure]. There is a very small vacuity close to and sf the nucleus - power 414. Outside diam np and sf = 45.1"; diameter of bright atmosphere = 18.4". With power 625 the nucleus seems quite granular and surrounded by a narrow dark ring extending quite round. Position of two of the most conspicuous central granules = 81.2°."
Sherburne Wesley Burnham, observing with the Lick 36-inch refractor, commented "besides the central star, there are other fainter stars within the nebula. The most prominent of these is near the northern edge of the circular disc... The 14.5m star does not seem to have been seen by other observers [Lassell noted a faint star just inside its preceding edge]." Burnham measured the position of this star at 16" in PA 324° (NW) of the central star.
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NGC 1536 = ESO 157-005 = PGC 14620
04 11 00.0 -56 28 55; Ret
V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, 1.7'x1.1', broad concentration. Appears to have a bar oriented N-S containing a small, bright nucleus and enhancements in the halo give an impression of two spiral arms. Forms the western vertex of a triangle with a mag 10.6 star 2.8' WNW and a mag 12.7 star 3' SSE. NGC 1533 lies 24' NNW and NGC 1546 is 39' NE. Member of the NGC 1566 subgroup of the Dorado Group of galaxies.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1536 = h2625 on 4 Dec 1834 and described
"vF, R, pL, very little brighter middle, 60" dia." His position matches
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NGC 1537 = ESO 420-012 = MCG -05-11-005 = LGG 111-006 = PGC 14695
04 13 40.7 -31 38 43; Eri
V = 10.6; Size 3.9'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 98°
13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, prominent elongated core, stellar nucleus. Member of the NGC 1532 group (LGG 111).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1537 = h2624 on 18 Nov 1835 and
recorded "vB, lE, pretty suddenly very much brighter in the middle,
50" l, 40" br." His position is 5' N of
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04 14 56.1 -13 11 30; Eri
Size 0.8'x0.6'; PA = 108°
24" (12/22/14): faint, small, round, 12" diameter
(core only), very faint stellar nucleus.
Holm 73 (double system) lies 3.3' SE and
Holm 73a = LEDA 3093623 appeared faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter (core). Forms a close pair with Holm 73b = LEDA 940994 45" NE. The companion was extremely to very faint, also just 6" diameter (core).
IC 2045 (identified as NGC 1538 in RNGC and PGC) appeared
fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, very small slightly
brighter core. IC 2045 is the brightest in a small group including
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1538 = LM 1-125 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 16.0, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is very close southeast of Holmberg 73a = LEDA 3093623, but could easily apply to other nearby galaxies given the inaccuracy of the Leander McCormick positions.
Harold Corwin remarks that Herbert Howe assumed Ho 73A was NGC 1538 when he observed the field on 20 Jan 1900 with the 20" refractor in Denver and also discovered nearby IC 2045 and IC 2047. Stone's rough position is 8' southeast of IC 2045 = PGC 14722, described by Howe as "eF, eS, almost stellar; near [NGC] 1538." and 4' southeast of IC 2047 = LEDA 941480, noted as "eF, eS, difficult, near [NGC 1538]."
RNGC and PGC identify IC 2045 (the brightest of these galaxies) as NGC 1538. But Corwin examined Stone's discovery sketch and NGC 1538 appears to be a better match with IC 2047. So, we are left with three possible candidates for NGC 1538 and the identification is uncertain.
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04 19 02.0 +26 49 38; Tau
V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.5'
18" (12/10/07): faint, small, slightly elongated ~SW-NE, 0.4'x0.35', moderate concentration with a small brighter core. Appears a little brighter than the catalogued magnitude. Located ~ 4' W of a NNW-SSE string of three mag 12-13 stars with another mag 12 star 3' W enclosing the galaxy with this triangular asterism. The identification of NGC 1539 is uncertain.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1539 = m 94 on 6 Sep 1864 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, vS, gradually
brighter in the middle."
There is nothing at his position, though
Stephane Javelle made a certain discovery on 28 Jan 1905 and included it in his unpublished 4th catalogue of 330 objects as J. 1508. These were observed until 25 July 1911 (after publication of the IC 2).
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04 15 10.6 -28 29 21; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 5°
18" (1/21/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
3:2 ~N-S, ~0.8'x0.5'. Appears to
have a star or quasi-stellar knot at the north tip -- this is actually an
interacting galaxy [
John Herschel discovered NGC 1540 = h2626 on 6 Nov 1834 and
recorded "vF; E; resolvable.
Rather a doubtful object.
He confirmed the object, though, on sweep 643 and his position matches
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04 17 00.2 +00 50 06; Tau
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 77°
17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE,
small bright core. Located 7' SW
of mag 8.8
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1541 = m 95 on 14 Nov 1863 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S". His position is 1' S of
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04 17 14.2 +04 46 55; Tau
V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 128°
17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 40"x20", very weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is 0.9' ENE of center. Collinear with a 1' pair of mag 11 stars about 5' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1542 = m 96 on 18 Nov 1863 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E." His position matches
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04 12 43.0 -57 44 17; Ret
V = 10.5; Size 4.9'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 93°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
bright, large, oval halo 2:1 E-W, at least 3'x1.5'. Sharply concentrated with a brilliant and bulging 1' round
core that brightens slightly to a small, intense nucleus. The large halo is
relatively fainter and fairly uniform.
9th magnitude
NGC 1543 is a member of the NGC 1566 subgroup of the Dorado Group of galaxies. Deep images reveal a detached outer ring, which was not seen.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1543 = D 306 = h2627 on 5 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector and described as "a small round pretty well defined nebula, 10" or 12" diameter, slightly bright to the centre, a bright star in the field south following." Dunlop's position is 11' too far south.
John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 4 Dec 1834 (no reference to Dunlop) and recorded it as "B, pL, pmE, suddenly much brighter middle to a round nucleus = star 11th mag." Herschel's position is accurate.
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05 02 36.0 +86 13 20; Cep
V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 130°
18" (8/1/11): fairly faint, small, round, sharply
concentrated with a very small, bright nucleus. A 10" pair of mag 14.5 stars is at the north edge and a
second wider pair at 18" separation (mag 13.6/14.4) is off the NW
side. Located 10' WNW of a very
distinctive 2' string of equally spaced mag 9.5/10/11 stars (
17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, round. Several faint stars are near including an evenly matched mag 14.5 pair with 10" separation at the north edge 20" from center. This is the second closest NGC galaxy to the north celestial pole.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1544 = T. 1-16 in 1876 with an
11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. He reported it as a "very small nebula, surrounded by
many faint stars but as bright as II. 704 [NGC 1184]." His position is
close west of
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04 20 56 +50 15 18; Per
V = 6.2; Size 18'
17.5" (12/28/94): about 50 stars scattered evenly over
a 20' field with no dense areas or central concentration. A wide but pretty pair of mag 7/8 stars
is near the center with a copper orange primary (South 445 = 7.3/8.2 at
72") and a blue mag 9 star to the west (
8": about two dozen stars in the cluster. The three brightest stars are mag 7.5-8.5. Includes chains of faint stars with double star STF 519 = 7.9/9.4 at 18" at the north edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1545 = H. VIII-85 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, pretty rich." His position corresponds with the brightest star in the cluster.
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NGC 1546 = ESO 157-012 = AM 0413-561 = LGG 112-002 = PGC 14723
04 14 36.5 -56 03 39; Dor
V = 10.9; Size 3.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 147°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly
small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.1'x0.5', even surface brightness except for a
small brighter core. Located 8' NE
of mag 7.5
John Herschel discovered NGC 1546 = h2628 on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "pB, lE, gradually brighter in the middle to an extended nucleus. A double star precedes." His position (two consecutive nights) matches ESO 157-012 = PGC 14723 and the double is HJ 363.
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04 17 12.4 -17 51 27; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 133°
17.5" (11/10/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6'. Contains a faint stellar nucleus offset to the south side or a mag 15.5 star is superimposed [DSS image appears to show a superimposed star]. A mag 13 star lies 1.2' NE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1547 = LM 1-126 on 17 Oct
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and
recorded a "cl? or neb with sev vF st and one *(mag) 11.5 north of center
inv." There is nothing at his
rough position (nearest minute of RA), but 43 sec of RA west is
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04 20 59 +36 34 00; Per
Size 20'
18" (2/14/10): at 175x there was nothing that looked
remotely cluster-like in the 35' field or that I felt might have caught
Herschel's attention -- just a random scattered star field with no denser
groupings. At 73x (67' field), though, my attention was drawn to mag 7.7
Still, the asterism I described was unimpressive and not rich enough to mimic a cluster, but seemed the best fit in the nearby area to Herschel's object. If this group is Herschel's h312, then his position for the brightest star is exactly 20' N of HD 27403 and matches in RA, so a single digit error in dec would explain the discrepancy.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1548 = h312 on 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399) and described "The chief * of a very loose poor cluster 30' diam; little comp; stars 10...12m." There is nothing near his position and Karl Reinmuth states in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel nach Aufnahmen der Königstuhl-Sternwarte" that "no CL found; many st in milky way". Brian Skiff calls this object "just a sparse, unconcentrated group of stars slightly brighter than the background." But 20' south of Herschel's position I noticed that mag 7.7 HD 27403 and the surrounding field is probably the best match for Herschel's object. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1549 = ESO 157-016 = AM 0414-554 = LGG 112-003 = PGC 14757
04 15 44.0 -55 35 30; Dor
V = 9.8; Size 4.9'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 135°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): bright, moderately large,
round, 1.5' diameter. Strongly
concentrated with an intense 30" core and a bright stellar nucleus with
direct vision. Cradled by a
distinctive group of 5 stars including mag 8.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1549 = h2629 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "B, R, 40" diameter." (single sweep). Wolfgang Steinicke originally credited James Dunlop (D 331) with the discovery, though Glen Cozens states Dunlop's number applies to NGC 1553 with a 1 hr error in RA. Steinicke now credits JH with the discovery. Innes (MN 59, 339, 1899) and DeLisle Stewart (based on plates taken at Arequipa between 1898 and 1901) corrected Herschel's poor RA.
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04 19 37.9 +02 24 36; Tau
V = 12.0; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 30°
24" (12/28/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus, large low surface brightness halo roughly 1' fades out with a distinct edge. A fairly faint 7" double star is 1.7' S. IC 366, 3.1' SSE, was faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. NGC 1550 is the brightest in a group at z = .012 (see observation from 12/22/14).
24" (12/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round,
sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core. An uncatalogued double star lies 1.7' S
(components 13.7/14.7 at 7").
Forms a pair with
13.1" (1/19/85): faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.
Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 1550 on 29 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His micrometric position (measured on two nights) corresponds with UGC 3012 = PGC 14880. Édouard Stephan observed this galaxy (position 4' SE) on 8 Jan 1874.
William Herschel made the original discovery of this galaxy
on 8 Oct 1785. He made a 1° error
in recording the declination (too far south) of H. II-464 (later NGC
1551). d'Arrest searched
unsuccessfully for
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NGC 1551 = NGC 1550 = UGC 3012 = MCG +00-11-055 = CGCG 393-001 = PGC 14880
04 19 37.9 +02 24 36; Tau
See observing notes for NGC 1550.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1551 = H. II-464 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and recorded "F, vS, r[esolvable]." There is nothing at his position and Dreyer comments in the NGC Notes "Not found at Copenhagen [by d'Arrest], not at Birr Castle. GC 835 [NGC 1550] is exactly 1° north; they are probably identical." NGC 1550 was found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 29 Dec 1861 and accurately placed. By historical precidence, WH's II-464 = NGC 1551 should be the primary designation but modern catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 1550 because of the unambiguous positional match. See Corwin's notes.
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04 20 17.6 -00 41 36; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 110°
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, faint extensions 3:2 WNW-ESE, even concentration to a small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2.8' WSW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1552 = H. III-490 = h313 on
1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and noted "vF, vS, lE, 240 showed it better, but
left a bare possibity of deception."
His position is 10 sec of RA west of
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NGC 1553 = ESO 157-017 = AM 0415-555 = LGG 112-004 = PGC 14765
04 16 10.5 -55 46 48; Dor
V = 9.4; Size 4.5'x2.8'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 150°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very bright, oval,
elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.25'x1.0', very bright core, fairly high surface
brightness halo. With averted
vision the halo increases to nearly 3' in length. A mag 12.5 star is at the north edge [1.0' from center], a
mag 12.5 mag star is off the SSE edge [1.7' from center] and a mag 12 star is
1.8' WNW of center. Forms a bright
pair with NGC 1549 12' NNW in the center of the Dorado Group.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1553 = D 331 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a rather bright nebula about 1' diameter, very faint at the margin, gradually bright to the centre: a small star north, and another south, both involved in the margin of the nebula. A group of very small stars north." Dunlop made a transcription error of 1 hour in RA so his published position is 1 hour too large. His two notebook entries are only 10' too far south. I'm surprised Dunlop apparently missed NGC 1549. He mentioned "a group of very small stars north", which are just off the south side of NGC 1549.
On 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520), John Herschel recorded "vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, 60", between three stars."
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04 21 43.5 +19 31 14; Tau
17.5" (11/10/96): at the position of Struve's Lost Nebula (reported by Otto Struve in 1868) is a mag 14 star noted in the observation of NGC 1555 (Hind's Variable Nebula). This star is 4' WSW of T Tauri and is not involved with nebulosity.
Otto Struve discovered NGC 1554 = "Struve's Lost Nebula" on 14 Mar 1868 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg. He placed it 4' WSW of the star T Tauri (which illuminates NGC 1555 = Hind's Variable Nebula). It was confirmed and measured by Heinrich d'Arrest on 23-25 Mar 1868 after being notified by Struve. d'Arrest described it, using an 11" refractor at Copenhagen, as "pretty small, nearly round, with an eccentric core like a star of 14th magnitude". After that date, it was not observed again and may have just been a spurious observation of a close pair of mag 14 and 15.5 stars, considering the fascination at the time with nearby Hind's Variable Nebula.
Dreyer comments in the Notes section of NGC that he was unable to perceive any nebulosity near Struve's position at Birr Castle in 1877 (Lawrence Parsons was previously unsuccessful in 1872, 1876 and 1877) and it was not found by Tempel with the 11-inch Amici refractor at the Arcetri Observatory or Copeland at Dun Echt. Engelhardt was unsuccessful on 30 Dec 1884 and 8 Jan 1885. E.E. Barnard and Sherburne Burnham couldn't see it with the 36-inch Lick refractor on 15 Oct 1890. In the IC 2 notes and corrections section, Dreyer also mentions Struve's nebula was not found by Barnard in 1895 or by James Keeler on plates taken in 1899.
Several sources, including Sky Catalogue 2000.0 and RNGC, group NGC 1554 and NGC 1555 together as a single object. NGC 1554 doesn't exist now and Steinicke doubts it ever existed. The RNGC position for NGC 1554/1555 is 1 min of RA too far east. Steinicke mentions the nickname "Struve's Lost Nebula" was probably introduced by Cederblad in his 1946 catalogue.
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NGC 1555 = Ced 32b = vdB 28 = HH 155 = PP 17 = Hind's Variable Nebula
04 21 56.8 +19 32 04; Tau
Size 1'
48" (10/29/19): at 375x, this variable nebula was immediately seen as a diffuse, elongated patch just west of T Tauri. But the scope was shaking from the wind and the seeing was poor, so details were lacking.
24" (1/12/13): at 200x unfiltered, Hind's Variable Nebula
was immediately seen as a very faint, fairly small, elongated haze, roughly
40" in length and slightly curved or bowed out to the west. The variable reflection nebula seemed
unevenly lit, though it was too faint to see any specific details. This famous nebula is illuminated by T
Tauri (mag 10-10.5), just 35" to the east. T Tauri is perfectly collinear with mag 8.4
17.5" (11/10/96): this is Hind's Variable (reflection) Nebula, illuminated by T Tauri (9-13). At 100x and 140x (unfiltered) an extremely faint haze was highly suspected on the west or west-southwest side of T Tauri (mag 9) in the direction of a mag 14 star to the west or slightly south (this star is at the position of NGC 1554 = "Struve's Lost Nebula"). No details in the nebula were visible at 100x (it did not appear as an arc) but a sketch made at 100x exactly matched the orientation of the nebulosity with respect to T Tauri. Nebulosity was not visible at 220x and no nebulosity was noted following T Tauri.
Hind's Variable Nebula was discovered (along with T Tauri) by John Russell Hind on 11 Oct 1852 with a 7-inch refractor. Because of it's variability, disappearance in the early 1860's, and eventual recovery by Barnard in 1890, it was a subject of fascination and numerous journal reports by most of the major great visual observers of the time including d'Arrest, Tempel, Charconac, Auwers, Secchi, Lassell, Struve, Winnecke, Lawrence Parsons, Dreyer, Barnard and Burnham.
John Russell Hind discovered NGC 1555 = Au 20 = Hind's Variable Nebula, which surrounds the variable star T Tauri, on 11 Oct 1852 with the 7-inch Dollond refractor of George Bishop. He reported in AN 839 a "very small nebulous-looking object...; it was south-preceding a star of 10th mag, which to my surprise, has escaped insertion on the map for 4h R.A. recently published - possibly it may be variable." Hind had discovered the young variable T Tauri and the variable reflection nebula NGC 1555. The following summarizes the visual history of this object as told by Wolfgang Steinicke in his "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".
Jean Charcornac confirmed the existence of the nebula in 1854 at Marseilles, likely using a 4-inch refractor. It was probably independently found by James Breen with a 12-inch refractor at Cambridge in 1855. Heinrich d'Arrest first observed the nebula on 3 Nov 1855 in Leibniz (with several additional observations in 1856) and described "a pretty bright nebula, 4' diameter, star 10 at its northern end". Arthur Auwers made 7 observations between 7 Jan and 3 Mar 1858 with a 4.3-inch refractor. He noted the nebula "was visible quite easily and without difficulty, but much fainter than it must have been appearing [to d'Arrest] in 1855 and 1856. He later concluded that it reached its maximum brightness in 1856. He listed it as #20 in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and reported the observations in his notes section.
By 1858, though, there was some fading as Charcornac could not recover it at Paris with the 10-inch refractor. It was not seen with confidence by Eduard Schönfeld in Feb 1861 using the 6.5-inch Steinheil refractor at Mannheim Observatory. Auwers was unsuccessful in 1861 with a 6-inch Fraunhofer and so was d'Arrest with the 11-inch Merz refractor in 1861-62. Leverrier and Charcornac failed to see nebulosity with the 12.4-inch refractor at Paris Observatory or the new 31.5-inch silver-on-glass reflector in Jan-Feb 1862. Father Angelo Secchi also failed in Rome using the 9.4-inch Merz refractor in Jan 1862. His report suggested a connection between the fading of the variable star and the nebula, shining by reflected light. William Lassell made an unsuccessful attempt with his 48-inch from Malta in March and Apr 1862. Hind made another attempt on 12 Dec 1863 in excellent conditions, but failed.
The only reported (barely) successful sighting of the nebula during 1861-62 was by Wilhlem Struve and Winnecke using the 15-inch Merz refractor in Pulkovo on 29 Dec 1861 and more easily on 22 Mar 1862, when a sketch was made. When Struve visited Lassell on Malta, they took a look again on 10 Oct 1863 with the 48-inch and could discern "three or four individual masses separated from each other by black sky", so Struve felt Lassell may have previously looked in the wrong place. "Hind's wonderful nebula in Taurus" was reported to the general public by Reverend Thomas Webb in 1864 in the popular magazine Intellectual Observer and the same year it was catalogued by John Herschel (who never saw it) as GC 839 and he reported on the history in the Notes section. In 1865 and 1866, Vogel made several observations (both positive and negative) in Leibniz with 4.6-inch and 6.5-inch refractors and reported very different degrees of visibility. But during the same time frame and into 1867 it was not seen by Schönfeld in Mannheim and was completely invisible to Struve on 14 Mar 1868 at Pulkovo, though he reported a new nebula (Stuve's "Lost Nebula", NGC 1554). Winnecke made a marginal observation in 1875 and sketched it with certainty in 1877. Tempel observed the field in 1877, made a map of the region including his and others observations, but apparently included nonexistent stars and nebulosity which he recorded.
Hind's Variable Nebula wasn't seen again until 1890 when it was barely recovered by E.E. Barnard and S.W. Burnham using the Lick 36-inch refractor. Barnard confirmed a very small, but "conspicuous and definite" glow (only 4" diameter) surrounding T Tauri, which he assumed was NGC 1555, and an excessively faint, round, larger nebula close south that they took as new, but was actually the real NGC 1555. The larger glow was observed again in 1891 by Burnham in 1891 and by Barnard in February 1895, when he finally realized that the faint object just south of T Tauri was actually Hind's Variable Nebula, (barely) visible again. But on three attempts in September 1895 ("under the finest conditions") he could find no trace of the nebula. Three years later in September 1898, Barnard made additional observations with the 40-inch Yerkes refractor and reported a tiny nebula attached southeast of T Tauri. The first photograph showing nebulosity was made by Keeler on 6 Dec 1899 and three patches were recorded (two corresponding with Barnard's sketches), but no sign of Struve's Lost Nebula. Carl Wirtz was unsuccessful in 1906 seeing either NGC 1554 or 1555 in a visual attempt using the 19-inch Merz refractor at Strausberg as well as by S.W. Burnham in 1907 using the 40-inch Yerkes refractor. Dreyer discussed many of the original visual observations in the NGC, IC 1 and IC 2 Notes section. In 1936, it was mentioned in the Carnegie Institute Yearbook that NGC 1555 "have been under observation by Baade and Hubble...About 1920 the region of the knot D in Pease's diagram (Mt. Wilson Contributions, No. 127) began to brighten and can now readily be seen in the telescope". I assume they mean visually in the 100-inch!
Modern sources often group NGC 1554 and 1555 (discovered by Struve) together, although there is no nebulosity visible on the Sky Survey at Struve's position for NGC 1555. The RNGC RA for NGC 1554 and NGC 1555 is 1.0 min of RA too far east.
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04 17 44.7 -50 09 50; Dor
V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 167°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.1'x0.35'. Fairly high surface brightness with a brighter core but no distinct zones. Member of the Dorado Group. Viewed with a 4.5 day moon up.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1556 = h2631 on 28 Dec 1834 and
recorded "vF, S, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 20"
dia." His position matches
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04 12 52 -70 30.9; Hyi
Size 16'x11'
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): very large, scattered group of 3 dozen stars mag 6.0 and fainter (the next three are mag 9-10). Not rich but detached int the field. This asterism (possible cluster) is projected onto the outer parts of the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1557 = h2633 on 24 Nov 1834 and
described "A star 7m chief of a cluster 8th class- about 20 in number,
loose and struggling." His
position corresponds with mag 7.0
Eric Lindsay in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", (1964IrAJ....6..286L) reports, "Not found. Centered on CPD -70°287. This star is supposedly the chief of a cluster, about 20 in number, loose and straggling. Star distribution seems normal." Hodge and Wright marks a smaller group of stars to the northwest of Herschel's cluster. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (repeating Lindsay) as well as Kontizas, et al in the 1990 "The Cluster System of the Large Magellanic Cloud". But Bica et al (2001A&A...366..827B) call it a possible open cluster remnant."
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04 20 16.2 -45 01 52; Cae
V = 12.5; Size 2.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 72°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.7'x0.6'. Contains a large, brighter elongated
core that gradually brightens somewhat to the center. A mag 13.2 star lies 1.3' SSE of center. Located 10' E of mag 7.7
John Herschel discovered NGC 1558 = h2632 on 14 Dec 1835 and
recorded "pF, pmE, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 25" long,
15" broad". There is
nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is
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04 17 35.8 -62 47 01; Ret
V = 10.6; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 64°
13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x1.5', broad weak concentration, slightly mottled. A mag 13.5 star is off the southwest end, 2' from center, and a brighter mag 12 star is 4.7' from center. Located 30' SE of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticulum and 28' N of the mag 6.1/7.8 double star Theta Reticulum.
NGC 1559 is a member of the
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1559 = D 264 = h2634 on 6 Nov 1826. He made two observations with summary description, "faint round nebula, about 40" diameter, slightly bright to the centre; this is north preceding Theta Rhomboidis". His published position is 18' too far south (accurate in RA) as he overestimated the separation from Theta Ret.
John Herschel observed the galaxy twice but didn't mention an equivalence with D 264, so Dunlop wasn't credited with the discovery in the GC or NGC. On 9 Dec 1836 (sweep 756), Herschel noted "B, L, mE, very gradually pretty much brighter middle; 90" l; 40" br; has a * 14m at the southern edge."
Pietro Baracchi sketched the galaxy on 7 Dec 1885 using the 48" Melbourne Telescope. His sketch shows the galaxy fading and narrowing at the northeast end and an apparent tiny knot on the south side.
NGC 1559 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! 3-branch spiral, 2 branches together, giving double appearance."
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04 32 48.9 +71 52 59; Cam
V = 11.4; Size 9.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 23°
17.5" (2/20/95): fairly faint, very large, 6'x1', low
surface brightness edge-on SSW-NNE.
Broad weak concentration with no distinct core but there a central 2'
brightening. A mag 13 star is
embedded on the preceding side of the NNE extension. The galaxy appears to extend very faintly beyond this
towards a mag 12 star further north.
Another mag 13 star is superimposed at the SSW end and a brighter mag
11.5 star is just following the tip of this extension. Member of the
8" (1/1/84): very faint, fairly large, edge-on SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness. Appears as a ghostly streak.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1560 = T. 9-1 on 1 Aug 1883
with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is 1 min of RA preceding
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04 23 01.1 -15 50 45; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, irregularly round, 0.4'
diameter, small brighter center.
Located 2' NE of mag 9
17.5" (11/10/96): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located 2.1' NE of a mag 9 star.
17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, round, broad mild concentration. Located 2' NE of a mag 8.8 SAO 149593. Brightest in a very faint group including NGC 1563, NGC 1564, NGC 1565 and IC 2063.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1561 = LM 1-127 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag
14.0, vS, lE 170°, gradually little brighter middle, *8, precedes 6
seconds." His rough position
(nearest minute of RA) is a good match with
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04 21 47.6 -15 45 20; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very little concentration. A mag 14.5 star is close W. First of six in the NGC 1561 group (18' following).
17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round. A mag 15.5 star is 1' W. Located 20' W of the center of the NGC 1561 group.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1562 = LM 1-128 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of
RA) is 1 min of RA east of
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04 22 53.9 -15 43 58; Eri
Size 0.45'x0.4'
17.5" (12/30/99): this member of the NGC 1561 group was a marginal object -- requiring averted vision and only glimpsed ~10% of the time as a 15" featureless knot just 1.7' WNW of NGC 1564 and 7' NNW of NGC 1561.
17.5" (2/8/91): Not found.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1563 = LM 1-129, along with NGC 1564, on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Leavenworth gives a single (rough) position for the pair (separated by 1.7'), which is 3'-4' too far north. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). RNGC and MCG misidentify IC 2063 = MCG -03-12-005 as NGC 1563. PGC misidentifies MCG -03-12-005 as NGC 1563 but gives the correct position.
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04 23 00.9 -15 44 20; Eri
Size 0.7'x0.5'
17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness. Two mag 13.5/14 stars are close NE. Located 6.4' due north of NGC 1561 in a group. Forms a close pair with NGC 1563 1.7' W.
17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, very small, round. A trio of mag 13/14 stars lie 2'-3' NE. Member of the NGC 1561 group. Nearby NGC 1563 not seen.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1564 = LM 1-130 (along with NGC 1563 = I-129) on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The PGC magnitudes for NGC 1563 and 1564 appear to be reversed.
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NGC 1565 = MCG -03-12-007 = PGC 15015
04 23 23.4 -15 44 40; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, fairly small, round, 30". This galaxy has a low surface brightness with no central brightening but may be the largest in the group. A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE of center. Located 8' NE of NGC 1561 in a group of faint galaxies (last of six).
17.5" (2/8/91): Not found.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1565 = LM 1-131 on 12 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of
RA) is 2' N of
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NGC 1566 = ESO 157-020 = LGG 114-003 = PGC 14897 = Spanish Dancer
04 20 00.4 -54 56 16; Dor
V = 9.7; Size 8.3'x6.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 60°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this gorgeous grand design spiral was a showpiece treat even with a 4.5-day moon well up in the west. NGC 1566 appeared strongly concentrated with a very bright, elongated 1' core region that increased to an intense, round, 20" nucleus. The two spiral arms were easily visible with direct vision. The "southern" arm is attached on the north side of the core, wrapping around the core counterclockwise on the east side (passing directly between the core and a mag 12 star 2' E of center) and spiraling around 180° to the south side of the halo. On the south end, the arm passes just north of a mag 15 star and ends at a slightly brighter mag 14.5 star. The "northern" arm is attached on the south side of the core and wraps around the west side, gradually unfurling towards the north side and ending over 2' NNE of center.
With careful viewing, the northern arm "resolved"
into 4 distinct extended HII regions, identified as NGC 1566:[HP80] I, II, IV
and VI in Hawley and Phillips 1980 paper "Spectrophotometry of H II
regions and the nucleus of NGC 1566" in ApJ, 235, 783. NGC 1566:[HP80] VI is a 12" knot
in the arm, 45" due west of center and is clearly resolved from [HP80] IV,
a slightly larger 15" knot which is 50" WNW of center. [HP80] II is a distinct 10" knot
1' NNW of center and the faintest is [HP80] I, just to its north. The arm passes just south of a mag 14
star 2' N of center. With averted
vision, the outer halo extends beyond the main arms, increasing the size to
5'x3' SSW-NNE. Mag 8.7
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): this Seyfert galaxy is a
member of the Dorado Group and appears bright, large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S. With careful viewing the halo extends
to ~3'x2'. A spiral arm is
attached on the west side and curves towards the north beyond the main body of
the galaxy. On the eastern side a
low surface brightness arm is attached (on an E-W line with a mag 12 star close
following the galaxy) and extends a little to the south on the eastern side of
the main body. I was surprised to
see the spiral arms so clearly!
Mag 8.2 HD 27713 lies 5.4' NW of center and a mag 9.9 star lies in the
field 9' W.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1566 = D 338 = h2635 on 28 May 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and described "a pretty large round nebula, about 4' diameter, moderately and gradually condensed to the centre. A very small star near the following edge, not involved." His handwritten notes also mention a "pretty bright star precedes it and about 3' to 4' north", matching Mag 8.2 HD 27713, which is 5.4' NW of center.
John Herschel observed the galaxy twice from the Cape of Good Hope, recording on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520), "B, vL, first very gradually then suddenly much brighter to the middle, to a stellar nucleus. Diameter in RA = 15". A star 11th mag involved, N.p. gives it a distorted appearance. A curious object."
Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 7 Dec 1885 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope. His sketch clearly shows both spiral arms and his description reads "the nebulosity is very faint and has a shape almost like the letter S."
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04 21 08.7 -48 15 18; Cae
V = 12.2; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.8
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 40"-45" diameter. Sharply concentrated with a small bright core. A mag 10.5 star lies 5' SW.
NGC 1567 forms a pair (same redshift and likely interacting)
with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1567 = h2636 on 28 Dec 1834 and
described "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 20"
(hazy)". A later observation adds "found in place and viewed past
meridian; not vF, S, R." His
position matches
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04 24 25.4 -00 44 47; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.8'; PA = 135°
24" (12/22/14): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly
small, slightly elongated, well concentrated with a small bright core that
increases occasionally to a stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1' NE. Forms an interacting double system (
NGC 1568A appeared extremely or very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, low surface brightness glow with averted vision. A mag 14.5-15 star is less than 30" N. On the SDSS, this galaxy has a striking set of tidal tails; it is connected to brighter to NGC 1568B with a delicate, curving bridge and a long tidal plume extends to the northwest.
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, dominated by small bright core, fainter extensions NW-SE, faint halo. Two mag 12/13 stars are 1' NE and 1.5' NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1568 = Sw. 5-60 on 2 Oct 1886 with his 16" refractor and reported "eF; vS; R; nearly betw 2 stars." His RA was 21 seconds too large and his comment "nearly betw 2 stars" may apply to two stars 1' northeast and 4' southwest. Most likely the companion (NGC 1568A) is too faint to be seen by Swift. Jermain Porter measured an accurate position in 1906 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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04 30 48.6 +64 50 56; Cam
V = 11.0; Size 3.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 120°
48" (10/23/11): at 488x, three very compact knots
(luminous super-star clusters) were closely lined up from NW to SE in the
central region (total length ~15") with the brightest knot NGC 1569-A in
the middle of the trio. NGC 1569-A
was flanked by 1569-C 7" NW and 1569-
18" (1/17/09): at 380x this unusual starburst galaxy appeared as a high surface brightness streak, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE. The brightest region is NW of center and contains two stellar or quasi-stellar knots (super-star clusters) within the glow. One of these "stars" was fairly easy (NGC 1569-A) and the other was occasionally visible. A very faint stellar object (SSC NGC 1569-B) is close to the geometric center. The ESE side of the galaxy is fairly uniform though the position angle is slightly offset. A mag 9.8 star is less than 1' N of center.
17.5" (3/1/03): at 380x this is a bright, very elongated galaxy with an unusual asymmetric appearance, situated less than 1' S of a mag 9.5 star! Extended nearly 5:2 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.8'. The bright core is offset to the NW side of the glow with a tail extending SE, possibly bending at a slight angle to the core. Two stellar "nuclei" are visible in good seeing. The brighter "star" is embedded within the core, possibly just slightly north of center. A second fainter "star" is close SE, near the edge of the core and is visible intermittently. These "stars" are actually SSC's (luminous super-star clusters). NGC 1569 was recently determined to be a member of the IC 342 galaxy group.
17.5" (1/12/02): very bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 2.5'x1.1', high but irregular surface brightness with an asymmetric appearance. The very bright core is mottled and irregular and is offset to the NW side of the galaxy! At 380x, there are two stellar "nuclei" within this glow. The brighter stellar nucleus is fairly easy and a fainter stellar point is close SE. There is also a strong impression of a third stellar spot close west of the central nucleus. These faint "stars" are actually luminous super-star clusters, the most massive known type of star clusters (color image at http://www.lowell.edu/users/dah/papers/n1569hst.html). A mag 10 star is close off the north side, 1' from center and a mag 13 star is just off the SE end.
13.1" (1/18/85): very bright, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, high surface brightness, elongated bright core, mottling suspected. Located just 1' S of a mag 10 star.
8" (11/28/81): fairly bright, small, elongated. Located just south of a mag 9 star.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1569 = H. II-768 on 4 Nov 1788 (sweep 881). He called it "pretty bright, small, little elongated, bright nucleus, just south of a pretty bright star."
Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland observed this galaxy on 17 Jan 1873: "Decidedly cometic in appearance, with the head north-preceding. Position of elongation 111.2°. Has an 11 mag reddish star in PA 359°, Dist 45". This star is the south member of a double star. There is also a 15m star following in the direction of the axis of the nebula. This object, although of the second class, is 3 or 4x as bright as H. I-258 [NGC 1491]."
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04 22 08.9 -43 37 47; Cae
V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172°
See observing notes for
John Herschel discovered NGC 1570 = h2637 on 4 Dec 1836 and
recorded "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"
dia." His position is 10' N
of
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NGC 1571 = NGC 1570 = ESO 250-019 = MCG -07-10-001 = PGC 14971
04 22 08.9 -43 37 47; Cae
V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172°
18" (1/17/09): at 175x appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 N-S, ~25"x18", very small brighter core. A mag 10.6/10.8 double star (HJ 3648) at 12" separation lies 3' ENE. Located 47' NW of a mag 6.4 star and 49' NE of a mag 5.3 star. Viewed at only 7 degrees elevation from Lake Sonoma.
John Herschel found NGC 1571 = h2638 on 1 Dec 1837 and recorded as "vF; S; R; 15"; gradually brighter in the middle; has a double star north-following." His position and description (the double star is HJ 3648) applies to ESO 250-019 = PGC 14971. Herschel discovered the galaxy a year earlier but placed it 10' too far north and it was catalogued as h2637 = NGC 1570. Apparently neither Herschel or Dreyer suspected the two observations referred to the same nebula. Although NGC 1570 is the earlier discovery, this galaxy is generally designated NGC 1571.
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04 22 42.8 -40 36 03; Cae
V = 12.4; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 0°
18" (12/30/08): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE (central bar), ~0.9'x0.3', slightly brighter nucleus. A mag 12 star is just off the east side, 0.9' NE of center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1572 = h2639 on 23 Oct 1835 and
recorded "pF; S; R; 15"; has a * 13m, 1' nf." His position and description applies to
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04 35 04.1 +73 15 45; Cam
V = 11.7; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 35°
24" (2/22/14): fairly bright, moderately large, oval
4:3 SSW-NNE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core. The large halo extends to at least
1.6'x1.2' with averted as the outer portion has a very low surface brightness. A mag 15-15.5 star is at the NNW edge
[32" from center]. Several
stars follow, including a mag 10.5 star 2.2' E. Brightest in a trio with
17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, gradually brighter halo, very small brighter core. A mag 10.5 star is just 2.2' E of core. CGCG 328-007 lies 4.5' NW.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1573 = T. 9-2 on 1 Aug 1883
with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is 2' SW of
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04 21 59 -56 58 24; Ret
V = 10.4; Size 3.4'x3.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, fairly bright, fairly large, round, 2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a well defined core. A mag 9.7 star is near the SE edge of the halo (1.1' from center). A much fainter star is at the edge of central core on the SE side, ~20" from center. Two mag 11/12 stars are 4' and 4' 6, respectively. Located 19' NW of RMK 4 = 6.8/7.2 at 5". Member of the Dorado Group and subgroup LGG 112.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1574 = h2640 on 4 Dec 1834 and described "pB, S, R, pretty gradually brighter middle, has a star 10th mag 1' distant and one 14th mag distant one radius of the nebula from its edge, both S.f." His position is accurate.
******************************
04 26 20.6 -10 05 54; Eri
V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7
See observing notes for
Frank Muller found NGC 1575 = LM 2-395 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag
13.5, 1.0' dia, R, *9.5 at 2' dist in PA 185° [SSW]." His position is 0.4 min of RA west of
******************************
04 26 18.8 -03 37 16; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125°
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, well-defined bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Almost at the midpoint of two mag 13 stars 1.2' SE and 1.5' WNW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1576 = H. III-587 = h314 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and reported "vF, S, bM, between 2 stars." His position (Auwer's reduction) was 1' too far NW. There are two stars that bracket the galaxy as in the description.
******************************
NGC 1577 = NGC 1575 = MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090
04 26 20.6 -10 05 54; Eri
V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, irregularly round,
gradually increases to small bright core, possible faint stellar nucleus. Located 2' N of a mag 10.5 star and 13'
SE of mag 6.9
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1577 = Sw. 3-29 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pL, R, little brighter middle, * nr south". His position and description (an 11th mag star is 2' S) applies to MCG -02-12-014. Frank Muller independently found the galaxy the following year and included it in the second discovery list, #395 (later NGC 1575). Although his RA was off by 0.4 minutes, the comment "*9.5, PA 185, 2' sep" clinches the identify NGC 1575 = NGC 1577, with priority to Swift.
******************************
04 23 46.7 -51 35 59; Dor
V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 177°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~0.8'x0.65'. Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus. Situated in a poor star field 1.2° ESE of mag 4.3 Gamma Doradus. Viewed with a 4.5-day moon in the sky.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1578 = h2641 on 27 Dec 1834
(same night he discovered NGC 1522) and reported "vF, S, R, pretty
gradually brighter middle, dilute at the borders." His position (3 sweeps) matches
******************************
04 30 14.3 +35 16 47; Per
Size 12'x8'
18" (2/16/07): fairly bright reflection nebula at 220x, viewed unfiltered. The brightest portion is a fairly striking, roundish patch, ~1.5 diameter in the center of a triangular group of 6 stars. A mag 11.5 star lies 2' N with a faint star close south. A pair of mag 13 stars is symmetrically placed on the opposite side of the central region. A wide pair of mag 12 stars are off the NE side. Faint, irregular haze spreads out from the bright patch towards the SW, extending due west to due south and increasing the size to 6'-7', though the borders of the fainter nebosity are not well defined. There was only a hint of the dust structure visible on images.
17.5" (3/2/02): this bright reflection nebula appears nearly 5' in diameter with a prominent, slightly elongated 1.5' central region. The haze is irregular extending outward from this knot with the borders seemingly marked by a half-dozen stars situated around the periphery including a mag 11 star 2' N, a wide pair of mag 11.5-12 stars 1.6' and 2.3' NE and a pair of mag 13 stars ~2.5' S. Nebulosity extends mostly west and southwest of the central mass with a very faint piece to the south.
13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, circular, fairly small, appears brightest at the following edge. Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5-12 stars off the north and NE edges both 2' from center.
8" (12/6/80): faint nebulosity, diffuse.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1579 = H. I-217 = h315 on 27 Dec 1788 (sweep 899) and reported "pB, cL, mbM. Cometic. Stands nearly in the centre of a trapezium, 2 nf small stars pointing to it." John Herschel made three observations; in Nov 1827 (sweep 105) he wrote, "pB; vL; irr R; it is inclosed among 6 stars, two of which point across its centre to a third. A * 7m precedes about 1 minute."
Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's assistant, made a detailed sketch on 13 Jan 1858 (fig. 8, plate XXV in the 1861 publication). On 2 Nov 1850 Bindon Stoney logged "A faint patchy neby. follows the chief portion and also to the south. The chief portion is irregular in figure and I had the impression of a dark space intervening between it and the faint nebulosity."
******************************
04 28 18.4 -05 10 44; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (2/11/96): faint, fairly small, irregularly
round, 50" diameter. Broad
concentration with a brighter center but no well-defined core. A mag 15 star is just off the following
end 48" from center and a mag 14 star is 1.4' WNW. There is an 30" pair of mag
12/13.5 stars ~3' SE. Located 10'
NNE of mag 9
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1580 = St. 8b-15 on 18 Dec
1873 with a notebook position 7' too far ENE. His published position, which matches
******************************
NGC 1581 = ESO 157-026 = LGG 114-004 = PGC 15055
04 24 44.9 -54 56 31; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 80°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~0.6'x0.25', no noticeable concentration. Two mag 10 stars at 1' separation lie 6' E. This Dorado Group member is located 40' due east of the bright galaxy NGC 1566.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1581 = h2642 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, E, gradually brighter in the middle." His position is accurate.
******************************
04 31 39 +43 50; Per
Size 24'
18" (11/26/03): at 115x, appears a very large,
scattered field with a number of brighter stars. There are no denser regions of fainter stars to distinguish
this as a cluster although the star density drops rapidly to the west (edge of
Milky Way?). Most distinctive is a
stream of bright stars that extends 20' SW of the cluster's position and
includes a number of mag 8-10 stars.
The string begins with mag 8.7
William Herschel discovered NGC 1582 = H. VIII-70 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 801) and logged "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, pretty rich, 20 or 25' diameter."
******************************
04 28 20.7 -17 35 44; Eri
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 98°
17.5" (11/10/96): slightly brighter of a similar pair
with
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1583 = LM 1-132 (along
with NGC 1584 = I-133) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the
Leander McCormick Observatory. His
rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 0.6 tmin east of
******************************
NGC 1584 = ESO 551-006 = PGC 15180
04 28 10.2 -17 31 24; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 122°
17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 1584 5.0' SSE. Collinear with a nice well–matched double star 6.5' NE and a mag 13 star 5.0' NE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1584 = LM 1-133 (along with NGC 1583 = I-132) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
******************************
04 27 33.0 -42 09 55; Cae
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175°
18" (12/30/08): at 175x appeared fairly faint, fairly
small, slightly elongated N-S, ~35"x30", very small brighter
core. A mag 12.6 star is attached
to the west edge and three mag 10 stars lies within 6'. Located 14' SSW of mag 6.5
John Herschel discovered NGC 1585 = h2643 on 6 Dec 1834 and logged "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, a * 12 mag prec. 2 seconds; pos from centre of neb. = 287.8 degrees." His position is 1' N of center and the description is accurate.
******************************
04 30 38.2 -00 18 15; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155°
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE. Bracketed by two very faint mag 14.5/15 stars close off the WNW end and 30" off the SSE end. A wide evenly matched mag 11 pair at 1.3' separation lies 7.5' NW and is collinear with the galaxy. Uncertain identification in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1586 on 30 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (rough Latin translation) "faint, irregular, in line with a double star and a mag 14 star. Searched again on night 93 (for this object) in vain." There is nothing near his single position and Copeland, using the 72" at Birr Castle, reported "Not found, sky very clear".
But 15' north-northeast is
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04 30 40.0 +00 39 43; Tau
V = 11.7; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 144°
17.5" (2/3/03): fairly bright, moderately large,
slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', well-concentrated with a very bright core
and stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with
13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, almost round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1588 1' E. NGC 1589 lies 12' N. Located midway between 44 and 45 Tauri.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1587 = H. II-8 = h316, along with NGC 1588 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54). He described both as "Two close together [with NGC 1588], 3/4° north of 45 Eri." His summary description (from 4 sweeps) reads "Two [with NGC 1588]. The first F, S, r."
On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel called this object "the south-preceding of a double nebula; R; pL; distance of centres 60"."
******************************
NGC 1588 = UGC 3064 = MCG +00-12-037 = CGCG 393-028 = Mrk 616 = II Zw 12 = Holm 76b = LGG 117-006 = PGC 15340
04 30 43.7 +00 39 53; Tau
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 175°
17.5" (2/3/03): fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, 0.6'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright stellar nucleus. Smaller and fainter of close pair with NGC 1587 just 0.9' W.
13.1" (12/22/84): faint, very small. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1587 1' W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1588 = H. II-9 = h317, along with NGC 1587 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54). His published summary description (from 4 sweeps) reads "Two [with NGC 1587]. The second F, vS, r."
On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel called NGC 1588 as "the north-following of a double nebula; F; S; R. Position by a drawing made at the time 30..40° nf."
******************************
NGC 1589 = UGC 3065 = MCG +00-12-038 = CGCG 393-030 = LGG 117-003 = PGC 15342
04 30 45.5 +00 51 52; Tau
V = 11.8; Size 3.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 160°
17.5" (2/3/03): very nice moderately large edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.3'x0.3'. Contains a bright core with faint extensions. In a trio with NGC 1587/1588 12' S.
13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, fairly small, small bright core. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1587 12' S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1589 = H. II-7 = h318, along with NGC 1587 and 1588, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54). His summary description (from 3 sweeps) reads "F, pL, irregularly round, very little brighter middle."
On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 100), John Herschel recorded "pB; bM; E from sf to np; has a * 50° nf, 1' dist; its situation is nearly at right angles to the longer axis of the nebula."
R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 29 Nov 1856, reported "the preceding edge of [NGC 1589] seems black and sharp as compared to its following edge." This "black" edge is a dust lane along the western flank.
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04 31 10.3 +07 37 51; Tau
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 90°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W. There is a trio of similar stars to the north with two mag 12.5 stars 2' NNE and 4.7' NW and a mag 11.5 star 4.4' N.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1590 on 28 Oct 1865 with
the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.
His single position matches
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04 29 30.6 -26 42 47; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 30°
17.5" (11/10/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated
3:2 SSW-NNE, very weak concentration.
A mag 13 star lies 1.2' due west.
Brightest and largest of three with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1591 = h2644 on 6 Nov
1834. He recorded "pF; S; R;
gradually little brighter middle; 15" dia." His position matches
******************************
04 29 40.8 -27 24 32; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 96°
24" (12/8/20): faint, low surface brightness elongated glow consisting of two attached lumps. It appeared that the brighter "knot", ~0.4' diameter, was on the east side with a very low surface brightness glow (similar size) attached on the west side. Images shows a faint star is superposed on the E galaxy.
17.5" (2/3/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W,
0.8'x0.4', fairly low even surface brightness. At moments, there appeared to be
an extension or companion attached on the following side. On the DSS, this is an unusual
(multiple?) galaxy (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1592 = h2645 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; vS." He only observed this object on one sweep and the declination is given as uncertain. There is nothing at his position and Herbert Howe reported in 1898 that "in the place given for this I found only small stars. 1591, near by, was observed".
RC3 identifies
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04 32 06.1 +00 34 02; Tau
See observing notes for
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1593 = m 97 on 7 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48". There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 minute of RA east is NGC 1608 and Harold Corwin "recovered" this identification while compiling the ESGC. Édouard Stephan made another observation on 4 Jan 1878 and equated it with Marth's object.
NGC 1608 was found by Lawrence Parsons, using Lord Rosse's
72", on 1 Jan 1876, though his position was also poor. Finally, Stephane Javelle found the
galaxy again on 15 Jan 1898 with the 30" refractor at Nice. He reported as new in J. 3-988 (later
******************************
04 30 51.6 -05 47 54; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 100°
17.5" (2/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'. Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 13/13.5 stars 2.0' NW and 2.3' WSW. A mag 14.5 star is just off the preceding edge 39" from center. Fairly smooth surface brightness except for a nearly stellar nucleus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1594 = Sw. 5-61 on 22 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His RA was 17 seconds too large. Herbert Howe measured an accurate
position for NGC 1594 in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin
Observatory in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 notes). Bigourdan (260) independently found this galaxy on 17 Jan
1895 while searching for NGC 1594 at Swift's position, placed it accurately,
and it was catalogued again as
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04 28 21.7 -47 48 57; Cae
V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 17°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately
bright, oval 5:3 SSW-NNE, 40"x25", well concentrated with a small
bright core and stellar nucleus.
With averted vision the dim outer halo increases to 50"x30". Second of three in the Carafe Group
with
The "Carafe Galaxy" is the largest in the trio. At 260x this galaxy was slightly elongated N-S, with a 1.5'x1.2' halo and an unusual structure. A brighter bar extends through most of the galaxy in a N-S direction with a brightest and bulging portion of the bar on the south side (perhaps an offset core). The northern half of the bar is narrower and extends nearly to the edge of the halo creating a lopsided barbell appearance.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1595 = h2646 (along with NGC 1598 = h2647) on 3 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, R, bM, 15 arcseconds." His position is accurate.
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04 27 38.1 -55 01 40; Dor
V = 11.2; Size 3.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): bright, moderately large,
very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 1.8'x0.5', contains a slightly bulging core and
tapering extensions. Sharply
concentrated with a very small bright core. Paired with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1596 = h2648 (along with NGC 1602 = h2649) on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, mE, pL, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 60" long. The preceding of two [with NGC 1602]." His position (2 consecutive sweeps) is very accurate.
Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 17 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p. 130 of his logbook). NGC 1596 is shown as a thin edge-on, sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. A lithograph was prepared (plate II, figure 15) but never published.
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04 31 13.5 -11 17 26; Eri
V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 95°
17.5" (2/3/03): faint, very small, elongated 5:4 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.4', slightly brighter core. A close double star lies 2' NW.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1597 = LM 1-134 on 31 Dec 1885
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of
RA) matches
******************************
NGC 1598 = ESO 202-026 = AM 0427-475 = KTS 25C = PGC 15204 = Carafe Group
04 28 33.6 -47 46 57; Cae
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 123°
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 1.1'x0.8', broad concentration with a brighter core that gradually increases towards the center. NGC 1598 is the third in the "Carafe" trio with NGC 1595 2.8' SW and ESO 202-023 10' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1598 = h2646 (along with NGC 1598 = h2647) on 3 Dec 1837 and logged "F, R, bM, 20 arcseconds." His position is accurate.
******************************
04 31 38.7 -04 35 18; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 174°
17.5" (2/1/92): faint, very small, round, slight
central brightening. Located just
1.1' W of mag 9.1
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1599 = St. 12-29, along with
NGC 1607, on 5 Dec 1877. His
published position was reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and matches
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NGC 1600 = MCG -01-12-017 = PGC 15406
04 31 39.9 -05 05 10; Eri
V = 10.9; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 15°
24" (2/24/20): at 260x and 375x; very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.6'x1.2', very bright core, stellar nucleus, brighter along a N-S central axis. Two adjacent NGC companions (1601 and 1603) lie 1.6' N and 2.5' E.
17.5" (2/1/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3
N-S, broadly concentrated halo, almost stellar nucleus. Brightest in a large group with NGC
1601 1.6' N,
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, broad concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1600 = H. I-158 = h319 on 26
Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "pB, pL, irr R, very gradually much
brighter middle." Just two nights later (sweep 640) he noted "cB, pS,
mbM." John Herschel made 4 observations and the assistants on Lord Rosse's
telescope made 5 observations of the field, discovering
******************************
NGC 1601 = MCG -01-12-018 = PGC 15413
04 31 41.7 -05 03 37; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 95°
17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, extremely small, round, very small bright core. Faintest of a close trio with NGC 1600 1.6' S and NGC 1603 2.9' SE.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1601 = GC 867, along with NGC 1603 and 1606, on 14 Jan 1849. A diagram of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made, as well as in 1850. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the nebula on 16 Jan 1865 and it was catalogued again in the GC Supplement (GC 5343), though the comment was added "probably = GC 867". The two GC entries were combined in the NGC.
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NGC 1602 = ESO 157-032 = LGG 114-006 = PGC 15168
04 27 54.4 -55 03 24; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 83°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40" diameter, low surface brightness. Forms a pair with the prominent galaxy NGC 1596 just 2.9' NW. Member of the Dorado Group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1602 = h2649 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "eF, L, roundish undefined. The following of two [with h2648 = NGC 1596]." His position is accurate (two sweeps).
A lithograph was prepared (with NGC 1596) based on Joseph Turner's sketch on 17 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate II, figure 15) but it was never published.
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NGC 1603 = MCG -01-12-019 = PGC 15424
04 31 49.9 -05 05 40; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 115°
17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, very small, round. Last of a close trio with NGC 1600 2.5' WNW and NGC 1601 2.9' NW.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1603, along with NGC 1601 and 1606, on 14 Jan 1849. A sketch of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made in 1850. In Jan 1874, Ralph Copeland measured an accurate micrometric positions for NGC 1600, 1601 and 1603.
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NGC 1604 = MCG -01-12-020 = PGC 15433
04 31 58.6 -05 22 12; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE. The halo brightens to a small bright core. Situated between two mag 11 stars 2.3' ESE and 2.8' WNW. Located at the south edge of the NGC 1600 group. NGC 1600 lies 17' N.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1604 = Sw. 6-16 on 20 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 8 tsec west of MCG -01-12-020 = PGC 15433, but his comment "between 2 stars one a wide double" secures the identification.
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04 34 52 +45 16 18; Per
V = 10.7; Size 5'
17.5" (1/23/93): at 220x this is a very faint cluster
of 15 stars mag 13.5-14.5 in 4'-5' diameter. The resolved stars appear around the periphery forming an
irregular oval outline. The
central region is lacking in resolved stars but consists of unresolved
haze. Mag 7.7
William Herschel discovered NGC 1605 = H. VI-26 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645). He recorded "A vF compressed cluster of extremely small stars, near 4' diameter". His position is just off the southeast end of the cluster.
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NGC 1606 = MCG -01-12-022 = PGC 15443
04 32 03.3 -05 01 57; Eri
V = 15.1; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (12/26/00): extremely faint, very small, round,
~15" diameter. Required
averted and much harder to view than IC 373 which was just observed. Located 7' NE of NGC 1600 and 4.5' W of
mag 7.6
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered
NGC 1606 = GC 869, along with NGC 1601 and 1603, on 14 Jan 1849. A sketch of
the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made in 1850. An accurate position was never measured but the sketch
matches
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NGC 1607 = MCG -01-12-023 = PGC 15442
04 32 03.1 -04 27 37; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 66°
17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, low even
surface brightness. Located 4.5' S
of mag 7.9
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1607 = St. 12-30, along with
NGC 1599, on 5 Dec 1877. His
published position reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and matches
******************************
NGC 1608 = NGC 1593 = IC 2077 = UGC 3082 = MCG +00-12-044 = CGCG 393-037 = PGC 15447
04 32 06.1 +00 34 02; Tau
V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130°
17.5" (2/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6'. Contains a 30" brighter core with fainter extensions. A mag 12.5 star lies 1.8' N of center. Located 22' ESE of NGC 1587/88 pair.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1608
on 1 Jan 1876 and reported "about 1m 44s +/- following and 3.5' south [of
NGC 1587/1588] is a pF, cS stellar neb, with a *12 mag 117" south. His position is 10' NE of
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NGC 1609 = MCG -01-12-025 = PGC 15480
04 32 45.1 -04 22 21; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 97°
17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, dominated by small bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus, small faint extensions NNW-SSE. A mag 14 star is 40" NW. Located in the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1607 10' SW and NGC 1611 7' NE.
William Herschel probably discovered NGC 1609 = H. III-585, along with NGC 1611, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638). He noted it was "suspected, but the haziness [weather] is increasing." Despite the uncertainty, Herschel's position is less than 1' to the NW.
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NGC 1610 = NGC 1599?? = MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15543
04 31 38.7 -04 35 18; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1599. The NGC identification is very uncertain.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1610 = LM 2-396 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at Leavenworth's position and it was reported as "not revealed with 60 min exposure" at the Helwan Observatory (1935).
The RNGC identifies
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NGC 1611 = MCG -01-12-029 = PGC 15501
04 33 05.9 -04 17 49; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 103°
17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, large brighter middle. Member of a quadruple subgroup (NGC 1613 5' ENE, NGC 1609 7' SW, NGC 1612 7.5' NNE) within the NGC 1600 group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1611 = H. III-586, along with NGC 1609, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638). He recorded "extremely faint, extended, small, but hazy weather." Just 90 seconds later the log reads "very hazy, or rather cloudy." Two nights later (sweep 640), he had a better look: "extremely faint, extended nearly in the parallel, small. I suspect one about 3' south follow, stellar." Dreyer mentioned in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that the other object was probably NGC 1613, but the orientation should read 3' NE instead of 3' SE.
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NGC 1612 = MCG -01-12-030 = PGC 15507
04 33 13.1 -04 10 20; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 137°
17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, very faint stellar nucleus. Faintest of three with NGC 1613 6.5' SSE and NGC 1611 7.5' SSW. Member of the NGC 1600 group.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1612 = St. 12-31, along with NGC 1613, on 30 Nov 1877. They were noticed during an observation of NGC 1611. His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1613 = MCG -01-12-031 = PGC 15518
04 33 25.3 -04 15 55; Eri
V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135°
17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a trio with NGC 1611 5' WSW and NGC 1612 6.5' NNW in the large NGC 1600 group.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1613 = St. 12-32, along with
NGC 1612, on 30 Nov 1877. They
were noticed during an observation of NGC 1611. His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec
1881 and matches
William Herschel possibly made the first discovery in his observation of NGC 1611 = H. III-586 on 28 Nov. 1786 (sweep 640). His comment "another suspected 3' S.f., stellar" would apply to NGC 1613 if south-following was replaced with north-following. In any case, Caroline didn't assign an internal (general) discovery number due to the uncertainty, so Herschel didn't catalog NGC 1613.
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04 34 00.0 -08 34 44; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85°
17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.6', broad concentration. A mag 13 star is 2.0' S of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1614 = Sw. 3-30 on 29 Dec 1885 with his 16" refractor. His RA was 21 seconds too large. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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04 36 01.9 +19 57 03; Tau
V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 115°
17.5" (1/23/93): faint, very small, round, very small
bright core, stellar nucleus.
Forms the east vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 7.1
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1615 = St. 9-3 on 1 Dec 1875 and recorded a rough position off the NW edge. His accurate published position (list 9, #3) was made on 5 Jan 1878. MCG missed labeling MCG +03-12-005 as NGC 1615.
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04 32 41.7 -43 42 56; Cae
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 36°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint or moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, brighter core, stellar nucleus, ~48"x32". A mag 11 star is 4.4' WNW.
This galaxy is an asymmetric spiral with two arms of different shapes and brightness.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1616 = h2650 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "pF, S, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." His position from 3 observations is accurate.
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NGC 1617 = ESO 157-041 = AM 0430-544 = PGC 15405
04 31 39.5 -54 36 08; Dor
V = 10.4; Size 4.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 107°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly
large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 2.8'x1.4'.
Well-concentrated with a bright 30" core which increases to a
bright stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus!
This member of the Dorado group is easily located 33' NW of mag 3.2
Alpha Doradus. The galaxy is
cradled by three mag 12 stars 4' WNW, 5' SSW and 6' SE.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1617 = D 339 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula, bright in the centre, NW of Alpha Doradus". His position was off by 11.5' (typical error) to the SE. John Herschel observed the galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged (for h2651), "B, L, mE, first very gradually then very suddenly much brighter to the middle to a nucleus 5" in diameter; 3' long, 1' broad." The next night he reobserved it and noted "pB, L, mE, suddenly brighter in the middle, 3' long, 2' broad, pos. 105.8 degrees." His mean position is accurate.
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04 36 06.5 -03 08 56; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35°
48" (11/2/13): very bright, large, very elongated 3:1
SSW-NNE, 2.0'x0.7', well concentrated with very bright core that increases to a
stellar nucleus. A group of four
stars follows. NGC 1618 is the
first of three prominent spirals with
17.5" (10/12/85): faint, fairly small, very elongated
3:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.
First of three very elongated systems with NGC 1622 8' ESE and NGC 1625
18' SE. Located 13' NNW of Nu
Eridani (V = 3.2).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1618 = H. II-524 = h320 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "faint, small, irregular figure, little brighter in the middle, preceding 2 small stars." He missed nearby NGC 1622 and NGC 1625, although they are similar in magnitude, due to the path of the sweep. He recorded nearby Nu Eridani on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640), but none of the galaxies were noticed.
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04 36 12 -04 50; Eri
= Not found, Corwin and Howe.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1619 = Sw. 6-17 on 22 Dec 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 15 sec of RA west and
8.7' N of
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04 36 37.3 -00 08 35; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 2.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25°
17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, moderately large,
very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x0.8', only a weak concentration but has an
irregular surface brightness and mottled appearance. A mag 14 star is at the NNE tip. Located 4.6' WSW of mag 8.9
William Herschel discovered NGC 1620 = H. II-514 = h321 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506). He described it as "faint or very faint, pretty large, extended from sp-nf, about 2' long, 1' broad." He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 8) as an illustration of "extended nebulae." The sketch appears show a very thin dark lane along the length, but this feature isn't mentioned in his description.
On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), John Herschel logged, "vF; L; mE; 3' L; 90" br; very little brighter middle."
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NGC 1621 = NGC 1626 = MCG -01-12-035 = PGC 15626
04 36 25.0 -04 59 14; Eri
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.8'; PA = 95°
17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, small, slightly
elongated 4:3 E-W, increases to small bright core. Located 3.5' SE of a mag 10.5 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1621 = Sw. 6-18 = LM 2-297 on 22
Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is just 30" N of MCG
-1-12-35 = PGC 15626. Francis
Leavenworth made an independent discovery the same year (or early in 1887) that
was included in the second Leander McCormick discovery paper. His position is 48 seconds of RA east
of
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NGC 1622 = MCG -01-12-036 = Holm 77a = PGC 15635
04 36 36.6 -03 11 20; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 3.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 45°
48" (11/2/13): very bright, large, elongated 9:2 SW-NE,
2.8'x0.6', well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases
to the center. This is the thinnest
of three striking edge-ons, just 11' NE of mag 3.9 Nu Eridani. NGC 1618, 8' WNW, is roughly parallel
in orientation and NGC 1625, 10' SE, is perpendicular!
17.5" (10/12/85): faint, elongated SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus, faint elongated halo. This is the second the of three edge-on systems with similar NGC 1618 8' WNW (also similar position angle) and NGC 1625 10' SE. Located 11' NNE of Nu Eridani. HCG 30 lies 22' N.
George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1622 = GC 881 on 16 Jan 1850 using LdR's 72". His sketch shows NGC 1618, 1622 and 1625 in their correct orientation. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 1 Jan 1862 near NGC 1618. John Herschel included both observations in the GC assuming they were different nebulae (881 for Stoney and 878 for d'Arrest) but accidentally placed GC 881 three degrees too far north. Dreyer caught this error and added a note that GC 881 = GC 878 in his observation on 1 Dec 1874 at Birr Castle, so the two GC entries were combined into NGC 1622.
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04 35 32.4 -13 33 23; Eri
V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 15°
18" (1/21/04): very faint, extremely small, 15"
diameter. A very faint superimposed
star or stellar nucleus was intermittently visible. Member of
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1623 = LM 1-135 on 31 Dec 1885
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (to the nearest
minute of RA) is essentially correct (30 sec too large). Stone's sketch also positively
identifies NGC 1623 = PGC 1559.
RNGC appears to misidentify
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04 40 37.2 +50 27 41; Per
V = 10.4; Size 5'x5'
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, round, compact glow surrounding a small group of at least five stars mag 11.8 and fainter using a UHC filter. The brightest cluster member (NGC 1624-2) and the principal source of ionization is the most magnetic massive star known with 35 solar masses and 20,000x the sun's magnetic field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1624 = H. V-49 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and reported "6 or 7 small stars, with faint nebulosity between them, of considerable extent, and of an irregular form." G.P. Bond independently discovered NGC 1624 at Harvard College Observatory on 18 Feb 1851 with a 4" comet-seeker and reported it as a discovery.
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NGC 1625 = MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654
04 37 06.2 -03 18 12; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 130°
48" (11/2/13): brightest of three prominent edge-ons near mag 3.9 Nu Eridani. At 287x appeared extremely bright, large, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.45', well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 14.2 star is at the NW edge. There appears to be an elongated galaxy superimposed at the SE edge, but I didn't look for or notice this object. Located 12' ENE of Nu.
17.5" (10/12/85): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3'. A mag 14 star is at the NW tip 0.7' from center. Third of three edge-on systems with NGC 1622 10' NW and NGC 1618 18' NW. Located 10' ENE of Nu Eridani.
13.1" (12/18/82): very faint, very elongated NW-SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1625 = h322 on 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 109) and recorded "vF; E; 45° np sf; suddenly brighter middle; follows nu Eridani 41sec." His position and description matches MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654. This is the third of three edge-ons near Nu Eridani with NGC 1618 (discovered by William Herschel) and NGC 1622 (discovered by George Stoney at Birr Castle).
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NGC 1626 = NGC 1621 = MCG -1-12-35 = PGC 15626
04 36 25.0 -04 59 14; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1621.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1626 = LM 2-397 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, R, *8, np 12 sec." His position is 48 sec of RA east of NGC 1621 (found by Lewis Swift on 22 Dec 1886 and reported in list VI-18) and Leavenworth's note of a "*8 np 12 sec" clinches the identification NGC 1626 = NGC 1621. Discovery priority is unknown. RNGC classified this number as nonexistent. See Corwin's notes for more of the story.
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NGC 1627 = MCG -01-12-040 = PGC 15675
04 37 38.0 -04 53 15; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x1.5'
17.5" (1/23/93): faint, fairly small, 1.5'-2' diameter,
low even surface brightness. A mag
11 star is 2.7' SSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1627 = Sw. 6-19 (along with NGC 1628) on 22 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 1' too far N. RNGC reverses the photographic descriptions for NGC 1627 and NGC 1628. See my RNGC Corrections #1 and WSQJ 4/80.
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NGC 1628 = MCG -01-12-039 = PGC 15674
04 37 36.1 -04 42 53; Eri
V = 14.2; Size 1.8'x0.4'; PA = 171°
17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 2' WNW. NGC 1627 lies 10' S. The photographic descriptions of NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in the RNGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1628 = Sw. 6-20 (along with NGC
1627) on 22 Dec 1886 with a 16" refractor and recorded "vF; pS; vE in
meridian; n of 2 [with NGC 1627]."
His position and visual description matches
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04 29 36 -71 50 18; Hyi
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.8'-1.0' diameter. A couple of mag 16-16.5 stars are resolved around the edges.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1629 = h2653 on 23 Dec 1834. He reported "vF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 1'." (single observation)
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04 37 15.5 -18 54 06; Eri
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140°
17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1630 = LM 2-398 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 42 tsec east of ESO 551-019 = PGC 15659 (typical error).
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04 38 24.2 -20 38 59; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 44°
17.5" (1/23/93): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.8'
diameter. A mag 13.5 star is 1.9'
W of center. Located 6' ENE of mag
7.1
John Herschel discovered NGC 1631 = h2652 on 11 Dec 1835. His position is accurate although no visual notes were taken. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory, added "very faint and small".
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04 39 58.5 -09 27 23; Eri
V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.6'; PA = 40°
17.5" (1/23/93): very faint, small, round, weak
concentration, low surface brightness.
Located 3.1' SSW of a mag 10.5 star.
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1632 = LM 2-399 in 1886 at the
Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia,
R." There is nothing at his
position, but 0.8 min of RA east is
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04 40 09.1 +07 20 58; Tau
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1
13.1" (1/18/85): faint, round, fairly small, faint knot
involved. Forms a very close pair
with
William Herschel discovered NGC 1633 = H. III-952 = h323, along with NGC 1634, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085). He recorded them together as "Two nebulae within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both extremely faint, very small. 300x showed the same."
On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118), John Herschel logged "excessively faint; pretty large; elongated towards the sf side, and has either a star or a second nucleus south following [this is NGC 1634]."
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NGC 1634 = MCG +01-12-015 = CGCG 419-022 = Holm 79b = PGC 15775
04 40 09.8 +07 20 19; Tau
V = 14.1; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 109°
13.1" (1/18/85): forms a double system with NGC 1633 [39" NNW of center]. Very faint, extremely small. Appears like a nebulous knot almost in contact close south of NGC 1633. Situated within a group of brighter stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1634 = H. III-953 = h324, along with NGC 1633, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085). He recorded the together as "Two nebulae within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both very faint, very small."
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04 40 07.8 -00 32 51; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5°
17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, fairly small,
round, 1' diameter, increases to very small prominent core. An easy mag 13 double star at 24"
separation is just 1.0' NW.
Located 3.5' WSW of a mag 10 star and 7' S of mag 9
William Herschel discovered NGC 1635 = H. II-515 = h325 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "F or pB, S, bM." On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel logged, "vF; R; has a *9m about 12.5 sec following to the north." At Birr Castle (13 Jan 1863) it appeared "very like a distant globular cluster, just plainly visible."
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04 40 40.1 -08 36 29; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 1.2'x0.8'; PA = 0°
17.5" (1/23/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.6', slightly brighter along major axis. A mag 13.5 star is off the NE edge 1.0' from center. Located 6.0' NW of a mag 10 star.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1636 = H. II-522 = h326 = h2654 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 516) and logged "F, pS, irr E, resolvable, about a minute sp a small star." John Herschel observed this nebula both from Slough and from the Cape of Good Hope where he reported "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40", near some small stars."
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04 41 28.0 -02 51 29; Eri
V = 10.8; Size 4.0'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15°
48" (11/2/13): bright, large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 3'x2.5'. Contains a large bright core with an elongated bright nucleus that appears to be a bar oriented E-W. The appearance is quite irregular due a thick, fairly prominent spiral arm that curves north-south along the eastern side of the halo and bending west as it curves counterclockwise on the north side. A darker gap was evident between the slightly brighter inner edge of this thick arm and the core. A small section of another spiral arm is attached at the SW side of the core. The SW side of the halo is fainter and not as extensive as the NE side, so the galaxy has a lopsided appearance.
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, large, diffuse, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 2.1' NE of center. Located midway between Mu Eridani (V = 4.0) 1° ESE and 51 Eridani (V = 5.2) 1° WNW.
8" (10/4/80): faint, oval, fairly small.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1637 = H. I-122 = h327 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "cB, vL, irregularly round, bM, easily resolvable, 5' or 6' diameter." John Herschel made two observations from Slough, England – once describing it as "bright" and another time as "pretty faint". Fifteen observations were made at Birr Castle. George Johnstone Stoney noted it as a spiral on 19 Dec 1848 (included in Lord Rosse's 1850 list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae). R.J. Mitchell, observing on 26 Dec 1856, added "Suspect very strongly that it is a right handed spiral, but the outlying neby is vF." He made a sketch two nights later (1861 publication, Plate XXV, figure 9).
Albert Le Sueur sketched NGC 1637 using the 48" Melbourne Telescope with an elongated core (WSW-ENE) offset to the south side (halo more extensive to the north) and subtle structure in the halo (unpublished plate VII, figure 83). It was later observed by both Joseph Turner and Pietro Baracchi (11 Mar 1885).
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04 41 36.3 -01 48 33; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 70°
18" (11/22/03): moderately bright, moderately large,
elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.9'.
Sharply concentrated with a bright 30" core which increases to the
center.
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE. Evenly lit halo with a very small bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1638 = H. II-525 on 1 Feb
1786 (sweep 518) and described as "F, pL, lE." His position is 2' NW of the center of
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04 40 52 -16 59 30; Eri
Size 9"/15"
24" (12/22/14): this close triple star was viewed at 260x and 375x. It is easy to see how this triple could be mistaken for a nebula at lower power or in soft seeing. At times, the closer 9" pair nearly blended together or the fainter component appeared as a faint glow off the east side of the brighter component. The 14.5-15th magnitude southern component (at 12"-15") was always cleanly split.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1639 = h2655 on 10 Dec 1835 and remarked "eF; vS; R; between 2 stars." At his position is a triple star as reported in 1898 by Herbert Howe using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory, "I find no nebula, but simply an equilateral triangle of 12.5 mag stars." The closer pair is ~9" separation, with a 3rd star at 15".
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04 42 14.5 -20 26 04; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 2.6'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45°
13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5 stars 2.0' SSE and 2.0' WSW of center.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1640 = LM 1-136 on 11 Dec 1885
with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted
"mag 14.0, 0.4' dia, E 40°."
His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.5 tmin west of
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04 35 35 -65 46 48; Dor
Size 11'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): large, scattered group of a dozen mag 10.5 to 13.5 stars and another dozen stars down to mag 15, in roughly a 10' region. There is no central concentration or rich subgroups, though it's detached in the field so stands out reasonably well. Still, this is a very poor "cluster" (probably an asterism) considering its size. Some catalogues have misidentified NGC 1641 with a close pair of galaxies on the east side of the group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1641 = h2656 on 2 Dec 1834 and remarked " pL; p rich; irreg R; p m comp; 5'; stars 11...16". His position is on the southeast side of a scattered group of stars, roughly 10' across.
Pietro Baracchi searched unsuccessfully for this object a
couple of times in Dec 1885 using the 48" Melbourne telesocpe. Shapley and Lindsay (S-L 6) give a
diameter of only 20" and notes "NGC 1641? irregularly resolved",
but this refers to the double system
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04 42 55.0 +00 37 08; Tau
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 175°
24" (12/22/14): moderately bright and large, round, ~1.2' diameter, fairly sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core. Surrounded by a number of 14th and 15th magnitude stars! A mag 10.4 star lies 3.7' W.
13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, fairly diffuse, slightly brighter small core.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1642 on 29 Dec 1861 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is accurate. He mentioned the nebula formed a right triangle with two mag 18 stars following, though the two stars are probably mag 14-15.
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04 43 43.9 -05 19 08; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 30°
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round,
weak concentration. Located 7' NNE
of a mag 9.5 star. Forms a pair
with
William Herschel discovered NGC 1643 = H. III-588 = h328 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and noted "vF, S." On 10 Feb 18 1830 (sweep 232), John Herschel wrote, "eF; irr R; bM; 10"."
Isaac Roberts photographed the region in 1903 and reported
(MN, 63, 301) that NGC 1643 was "bright and pretty large." Dreyer mentions in the
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04 37 40 -66 11 48; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
moderately bright and large, round, 40" diameter, small bright core,
smooth halo, no resolution (brightest stars are mag 17). Located 5' S of mag 9.3
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1644 = D 226 = h2657 on
6 Nov 1826. He noted "an
extremely small round nebula, 8" or 10" diameter, pretty well
defined. A small star in the same
parallel preceding [due west]."
His position was considerably off - 20' to the SE - though a mag 8.7
star (
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1644 = h2657 on 2 Nov 183 (sweep 508) 4 and recorded "pB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"." His position matches this LMC cluster (possible globular).
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NGC 1645 = MCG -01-13-002 = PGC 15903
04 44 06.4 -05 27 56; Eri
V = 12.2; Size 2.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 95°
17.5" (12/23/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 1643 10' NW. Located 7.8' ESE of a mag 9.5 star. Appears fainter than V = 12.2.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1645 on 31 Oct 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen while observing NGC 1643 (10' northwest). He noted it was double the size of NGC 1643 and his position is accurate.
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04 44 23.5 -08 31 54; Eri
V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x1.1'; PA = 155°
24" (12/21/16): at 432x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~NNW-SSE, 0.4'x0.3', high surface brightness, contains a very small bright nucleus. With averted vision, a very low surface brightness halo increases the size to roughly 40"x25" NNW-SSE. Occasionally an extremely faint stellar or quasi-stellar object briefly popped on the SSE edge of the halo. This is the nucleus of a merged companion NGC 1646 NED2, just 15" between centers!
The stellar companion was seen more often with confidence (though not continuously) through a friends's 28" at 439x. NGC 1646 is located 4.8' ESE of 5.9-magnitude 56 Eridani, which needs to be kept outside the field! A mag 10.5 star is 2' E and a mag 14.7 star is 0.9' S.
17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1
NW-SE, prominent small bright core, overall fairly high surface
brightness. Forms the south vertex
of isosceles triangle with
William Herschel discovered NGC 1646 = H. II-523 = h329 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and remarked "F, vS, irr R, bM, almost stellar." On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel measured an accurate position and noted "pF; R; has a *7m, 3 or 4' dist np."
Robert Ball, assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, observed NGC 1646 on 10 Jan 1867. His description mentions "there is
one object sf and another np, one or both of which may be nebulae, but my
examination was interrupted before it could be completed." The
southeast object possibly refers to
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04 46 00 +19 04; Tau
V = 6.4; Size 45'
13.1" (1/11/86): about 80 stars in a scattered cluster including several bright stars. Very large, bright. Includes a mag 8.5/8.9 double star at 33" separation in the center. Also includes many faint double stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1647 = H. VIII-8 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 143) and called it "a cluster of scattered stars consisting chiefly of large ones, it takes up above 20' of space; but there is not a great number of them." At the beginning of the night he used "a new large object speculum. It is very bright but not quite so distinct as my first. I shall however use it all the night." NGC 1647 was the first discovery with the new mirror. He wasn't satisfied with the mirror, though, so repolished it and put it back into action 4 nights later.
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NGC 1648 = MCG -01-13-004 = PGC 15920
04 44 34.7 -08 28 44; Eri
V = 14.5; Size 0.4'x0.3'
17.5" (1/23/93): extremely faint, very small, round, requires averted vision. A mag 11 star 3.3' SSW forms the vertex of a right triangle with NGC 1646 4.2' SW and 56 Eridani (V = 5.9) 7.4' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1648 = Sw. 3-31 on 29 Dec 1885
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and described "eeeF;
pS; ee diff; nf of [NGC 1646]." His position is 19 tsec due east of
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04 38 06.9 -68 46 41; Dor
V = 11.2; Size 0.6'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint,
small, round, 20" diameter.
Sandwiched between 8.1
John Herschel discovered NGC 1649 = h2660 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"." His position is 9' S of h2661 = NGC 1652, which he observed on 3 sweeps, but not on the single sweep that NGC 1649 was recorded. Harold Corwin concludes NGC 1649 is likely a duplicate of NGC 1652 based on the similar descriptions and a possible 10' digit error in declination. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas states "possibly NGC 1652" (no object is indicated) and ESO equates NGC 1649 = NGC 1652. NGC 1649 is classified as nonexistent in Mati Morel's "A Visual Atlas of the LMC". Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], states "Not found. Centered on CPD -69°284. Possibly the faint cluster S/L 8, 13' south."
Robert Innes, at the Union Observatory in 1927, suggested a
6 minute error in RA and equal to
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04 45 11.5 -15 52 12; Eri
V = 11.9; Size 2.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 170°
17.5" (12/23/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core. Located 11' E of a mag 10 star at the edge of the 220x field.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1650 = LM 1-137 on 12 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted
"mag 13.0, pS, E 0° [N-S], gradually little then suddenly much brighter
middle to a nucleus, envelope mag 14.0." His position is 3.6' SW of
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04 37 31.7 -70 35 07; Men
V = 12.3; Size 2.5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared moderately bright, fairly large, round, 1.7' diameter, slightly brighter core. Two mag 13.7 and 15.2 stars at ~20" separation are off the SE edge. A couple of mag 16-16.5 clusters members are occasionally resolved.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC globular appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.7' diameter with a weak concentration. There was no resolution except for a mag 13.5 star off the SE edge, 1' from the center. Located 34' NW of mag 5.5 Mu Mensae.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1651 = h2662 on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "vF, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2.5' dia." His position (3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1652 = ESO 055-032 = S-L 10
04 38 22.6 -68 40 21; Dor
V = 13.1; Size 1.5'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, moderately large, round, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration but azonal, symmetrical, no resolution. Located 8.4' NNE of mag 8.1 HD 29994. NGC 1649 lies 6.5' SSW and NGC 1676 lies 31' ESE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1652 = h2661 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12" across." His position (measurd on 3 sweeps) is accurate. NGC 1649 is probably a duplicate observation with a 10' error in declination.
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04 45 47.3 -02 23 34; Eri
V = 12.0; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8
13.1" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large,
round, broadly concentrated halo.
The
William Herschel discovered NGC 1653 = H. II-526 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and remarked "F, cS, R, little brighter in the middle." His position is just off the ESE side of this galaxy.
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NGC 1654 = UGC 3154 = CGCG 394-003 = PGC 15943
04 45 48.4 -02 05 02; Eri
V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round,
broad mild concentration. Brighter
of a pair with NGC 1657 4.6' E.
Located 10' WSW of mag 9.0
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W. NGC 1657 4.6' E not seen.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1654 = St. 12-33, along with
NGC 1657 and
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04 46 12 +20 56; Tau
= Not found, Dreyer. =**?, Gottlieb
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1655 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory Scarborough, England and communicated directly to Dreyer. There is nothing at his position except an easily resolved double star. A mag 9.2 star to the south matches the NGC description "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *10 south."
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04 45 53.3 -05 08 12; Eri
V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55°
17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 14.5 star is at the north edge 0.4' from center. Located 3.1' S of a mag 10 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1656 = h330 on 10 Feb 1830 (sweep 233) and remarked "eF; irreg figure, if not a double or triple star, seen indistinctly." His position is accurate and he must have seen the star at the north edge.
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NGC 1657 = UGC 3156 = MCG +00-13-004 = CGCG 394-005 = PGC 15958
04 46 07.2 -02 04 38; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 150°
17.5" (1/23/93): very faint, fairly small, round, low almost even surface brightness. Located midway between NGC 1654 4.6' W and mag 9.0 SAO 131483 5.1' E.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1657 = St. 12-34, along with NGC 1654 and NGC 1661, on 30 Nov 1877. His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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04 44 01.2 -41 27 48; Cae
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 124°
18" (1/17/09): picked up at 175x as a very faint glow,
~40"x25", extended NW-SE with careful viewing, low even surface
brightness. Forms a 3' pair with
fainter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1658 = h2658, along with NGC 1660, on 1 Dec 1837. He logged "F, pmE, gradually little brighter middle, 40"." His position is 1.6' too far south (similar offset with nearby NGC 1660).
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04 46 29.8 -04 47 22; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40°
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1659 = H. II-589 = h331 on
28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and recorded "vF, cL, iE nearly in the parallel,
bM." Harold Corwin found
Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 22 Oct 1886 and recorded Sw. 5-64 (later NGC
1677) as "pF; pL; lE."
His declination was accurate but his RA was 5 minutes too large (same
error with
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NGC 1660 = ESO 304-018 = MCG -07-10-021 = PGC 15908
04 44 11.3 -41 29 52; Cae
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 32°
18" (1/17/09): not picked up initially at 175x, but just visible at 225x as an extremely faint, round, glow ~20" in diameter (the elongation was not evident). After viewing at the higher magnification, I was able to go back and glimpse the galaxy at 175x. Forms a 3' pair with brighter NGC 1658 to the NW. Located 6' ENE of mag 9.9 HD 30203 and 2' SW of a mag 14 star. Viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma although the seeing was very good fairly close to the horizon.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1660 = h2659, along with NGC 1658, on 1 Dec 1837. He logged "vF, lE, gradually little brighter middle, 20"." His position is 1.5' too far south (similar offset with nearby NGC 1658).
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NGC 1661 = UGC 3166 = MCG +00-13-008 = CGCG 394-009 = PGC 16000
04 47 07.6 -02 03 16; Ori
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35°
13.1" (12/23/89): faint, small, almost round, bright core. A line of four mag 12-13.5 stars is 1.5' S oriented E-W with length 1.7'. In a group with NGC 1654 and NGC 1657.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1661 = St. 12-35, along with NGC 1654 and NGC 1657, on 30 Nov 1877. His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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04 48 29 +10 55 48; Ori
V = 6.4; Size 20'
17.5" (12/9/01): striking group of ~40 stars within 15' including a number of mag 9 stars. Many of the brighter stars are arranged in a "boat" shape with the bottom of the boat consisting of a string oriented NW-SE. In the middle is a mast, perpendicular to the longer stream of stars. The "mast" includes the multiple star HJ 684, a bright quadruple of mag 8-10 stars with a 5th fainter star (8.5/10.3 at 24" and 9.6/12.5 at 10").
William Herschel discovered NGC 1662 = H. VII-1 = h332 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 80) and found "a cluster of large scattered stars, they are visible in the finder." His Philosphical Transactions description also using a later sweep, added "10' or 12' in extent, with a vacancy in the middle." His position was 30 seconds of time too far east, but John Herschel measured an accurate position on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121) and described, "A cluster of stars 11 and 12m, three L and five small stars. Query if the right object." It is.
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04 49 24 +13 09 06; Ori
Size 8'
17.5" (2/3/03): at 140x, ~20 stars are resolved in a scattered 6'-7' group. Includes a shallow arc of three brighter mag 10 stars on the SW side which may not be cluster members. Most of the mag 12-13 stars are concentrated in a 3' subgroup on the north side. Stands out reasonably well in the field.
This group has been listed as a "possible open cluster remnant" and DR2 data does not show a coherent group. The Lynga position, DSFG, NGC 2000, SC 2000 and RNGC all place the group too far west by ~45 seconds of RA.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1663 = H. VIII-7 on 10 Feb 1783 (sweep 137) and described "A scattered cluster of stars. Large, intermixt with small (stars), not very rich." There is no grouping at his offset of 4m 0s preceding, and 1d 7' south of 4 Orionis. But Brent Archinal found a concentration of stars (~30 stars in 9') that is 1 minute of RA following H's position. The Lynga position, DSFG, NGC 2000, SC 2000 and RNGC all place the cluster too far west at 04 48.6 +13 09 and the cluster is plotted incorrectly on the first edition of U2000.
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04 51 05 +43 40 36; Aur
V = 7.6; Size 18'
13.1" (1/18/85): 40-45 stars, striking, rich, many faint
double stars and chains. A long
string of stars to the south leads to mag 7.5
William Herschel discovered NGC 1664 = H. VIII-59 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 622) and called it "a cluster of coarsely scattered pretty large stars, not very rich." His position was pretty accurate.
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04 48 17.1 -05 25 39; Eri
V = 13.2; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 50°
17.5" (12/23/89): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1665 = H. II-457 = h333 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and recorded "F, cL, little brighter in the middle." On 10 Feb 1830 (sweep 233), John Herschel measured an accurate position and called it "vF, pL, R." NGC 1665 wasn't found on one attempt at Birr Castle and d'Arrest followed up in Oct 1864 with two observations with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. It was later observed at Birr Castle in 1877.
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04 48 32.8 -06 34 12; Eri
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35°
13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, faint stellar
nucleus. Forms a wide pair with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1666 = Sw. 5-62 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is accurate and the comment "s of [N1667] of Stephan's Catalogue in AN 2661" applies.
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NGC 1667 = NGC 1689: = MCG -01-13-013 = LGG 118-005 = PGC 16062
04 48 36.9 -06 19 13; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 20°
13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak concentration. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1666 15' N.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1667 = St. 13-26 on 22 Oct 1883. His published position (list 13) was reduced on 13 Dec 1884. Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 22 Oct 1886, but Harold Corwin found his RA was 5.0 minutes too large (same error with NGC 1677) and it was catalogued as NGC 1689. So, NGC 1667 = NGC 1689 with priority to Stephan.
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04 46 05.9 -44 44 00; Cae
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 107°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): faint to fairly faint, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, low surface brightness, weak concentration to the center, which contains a faint stellar ncleus. A mag 13.8 star lies 25" NNE of center and several mag 11-12 populate the field. NGC 1668 is the brightest member of Abell Galaxy Cluster S497.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1668 = h2663 on 1 Dec 1837 and
logged "eF; R; attached to a star 14m". His position is 3' SE of
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04 43 00.0 -65 48 52; Dor
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 97°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): extremely to very faint, small, round, 25" diameter. Two mag 14 and 13 stars lie 1.4' NW and 3.5' NW, respectively. An asterism of 5 stars, including two mag 10 stars collinear with the galaxy, lies ~7' WNW. I couldn't hold the galaxy steadily with averted although it was viewed in poor conditions (very hazy skies and positioned well west of the meridian). Located in NW halo of the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1669 = h2664 on 20 Dec 1835 and
logged "eF, S, R." His
position is 6 sec of RA west of
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04 49 42.5 -02 45 37; Ori
V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 112°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 14 star is close off the ESE edge 0.9' from center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1670 = H. III-501 on 1 Feb
1786 (sweep 518) and noted "vF, vS." His position is 1.5' SSE of
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04 49 34.1 +00 15 10; Ori
V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 130°
See observing notes for
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1671 = Sw. 5-63 on 2 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded, "pF;
pS; R; pB * nr sp." His
position falls on the empty section of sky. Corwin suggests NGC 1671 is possibly equivalent to IC 395 =
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NGC 1672 = ESO 118-043 = AM 0444-592 = LGG 119-002 = PGC 15941
04 45 42.5 -59 14 50; Dor
V = 9.7; Size 6.6'x5.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 170°
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this gorgeous barred spiral appeared very bright and large with the main body elongated E-W, extending ~3.5'x2.0'. An obvious spiral arm is attached at the east end of the E-W central bar. This arm hooks to the north, wrapping around a superimposed star to the northeast of the bar (1.6' from the center). Three fainter stars with separations ~30" are sandwiched to the west of this star, between the arm and the bar. The arm fades out before reaching a mag 10 star 2.2' NE of center. A second arm begins to emerge on the west side of the bar, barely sweeping towards the south before abruptly terminating. So the second "arm" is just a small hooking appendage off the west end. The central bar itself is sharply concentrated with a dramatic, brilliant nucleus, ~25" diameter, that increases gradually to the center.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
striking spiral galaxy appeared fairly bright and large, ~4' diameter, sharply
concentrated with a very bright core.
Clearly emerging from the east side of the oval core or bar was a spiral
arm that curled north and wrapped around two stars to the NW of the core. The extension on the west side was just
a very faint, diffuse haze on the SW side without a sharply defined arm
structure. A mag 9 star is 6.5'
ENE and a mag 6.5 star (
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly
large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, ~3'x2'.
Sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core, ~20" diameter,
and a large oval halo. Spiral
structure was evident as an ill-defined extension or haze off the NE side,
though I could not resolve this spiral arm clearly. Situated directly between two mag 9 stars 10' SW and 6.5'
ENE. Located 30' NNE of mag 5.3
Kappa Doradus. This galaxy is a
member of the Dorado group, which includes NGC 1515, NGC 1533, NGC 1536, NGC
1543, NGC 1546, NGC 1553, NGC 1566, NGC 1574, NGC 1596, NGC 1617 and
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1672 = D 296 = h2665 on 5 Nov 1826. He described "a faint ill-defined nebula about 50" diameter, irregularly round with a small bright point near the preceding side, which I suspect to be a star; a pretty bright star about 20' south-preceding [mag 5.3 Kappa Dor] and also another following [mag 6.8 HD 30790]."
John Herschel made two observations, the first on 4 Dec 1834 (sweep 519) when he described it as "B, L, pmE, suddenly very much brighter middle to a nucleus; 2.5' long, 1.5' broad; a star 12th mag involved." His position was accurate.
Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1672 on 5 Dec 1876 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope but there was no indication of spiral structure (unpublished lithograph plate II, figure 16). NGC 1672 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! 2-branch spiral, irregular figure."
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04 42 40 -69 49 18; Men
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, small, irregular shape, 35" diameter, contains a quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is at the NE end and a very faint star is resolved at the west edge of the halo. A mag 13.5 star lies 0.9' ENE. A string of stars heads NE from the cluster. Forms a pair with S-L 19 2' E, which is a relatively faint, small, roundish 25" glow.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1673 = h2667 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded (from one sweep only) "vF, S, attached to a star 10m. A doubtful object". His position, though, matches this cluster in RA and is off by less than 1' in dec.
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04 52 24 +23 54; Tau
= Not found, RNGC.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1674 with the 15.5-inch Cook
refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. The discovery note states "two F
neb [along with
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04 52 24 +23 54; Tau
= Not found, RNGC.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1675 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. The discovery note states "two F neb [along with NGC 1674] in same field" but there are candidates near his position so this number is lost.
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NGC 1676 = ESO 055-036 = S-L 25
04 43 54 -68 49 42; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 0.8'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, moderately large, 1' diameter. Between 8 to 10 faint stars are resolved over the irregularly shaped glow. KMHK 59, a faint cluster, was picked up 5' NNE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1676 = h2669 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF; irreg R; 90"; resolvable." In 1926, Robert Innes, with the 26-inch refractor of the Union Observatory, described NGC 1676 as "a small cloud of 14 and 15 mag stars, 2' diameter."
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NGC 1677 = NGC 1659 = MCG -01-13-006 = PGC 15977
04 46 29.8 -04 47 22; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40°
See observing notes for NGC 1659.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1677 = Sw. 5-64 on 22 Oct 1886. There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1677 = NGC 1659, assuming Swift's RA was 5 minutes too large. The same error was made with Swift's V-65 (later NGC 1689), which was found on the same evening.
Swift's (uncorrected) position is 0.4 tmin east and 6' north
of
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04 51 35.3 -02 37 24; Ori
V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. A mag 12 star is close off western edge 1.0' from core. NGC 1670 lies 28' WSW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1678 = H. III-502 on 1 Feb
1786 (sweep 518) and called "vF, S." His position is less than 1' S of
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04 49 54.6 -31 57 53; Cae
V = 11.5; Size 2.7'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 150°
17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright and large, 2' diameter, irregularly round, brighter core. Unusual appearance as four stars are closeby; a mag 12 star is at the NW edge, two mag 13/14.5 stars are near the SW edge and a mag 13.5 star at the E edge. This is a fairly bright galaxy for low elevation viewing. Images reveal an irregular extension on the south side.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1679 = h2666 on 18 Nov 1835 and described "pB, L, irreg round; involves four stars, and is very gradually brighter about the chief of them." Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 24 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He drew it boomerange shaped with one side between the mag 12 star at the north edge and the 13th mag star on the east side (central part of galaxy) and a second side beginning at the mag 13 star extending southwest (this section is an irregular spiral arm). He also sketched nebulosity south of the 12th mag star. (p. 150 in logbook).
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04 48 33.8 -47 48 58; Pic
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 102°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 30"x18", even surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is 25" S of center, just off the edge. A mag 10.5 star lies 8' WNW and a few mag 10/11 stars are in the field to the southwest.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1680 = h2668 on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "eeF, R, resolvable, or else stars seen on it. Well defined (hazy)." His position (3 sweeps) is accurate.
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04 51 50.3 -05 48 13; Eri
V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40°
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 12 star is at the west edge 0.8' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.2' E.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1681 = St. 9-4 on 29 Dec 1877. He reduced the micrometric position a week later (6 Jan 1878) and published it in his 9th discovery list (#4).
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04 52 19.7 -03 06 20; Ori
V = 11.8; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 11.7
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small,
round, 30" diameter, sharp concentration with a very small very bright
nucleus. Member of the
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, slightly
elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.
Located 4.0' N of mag 8.0
William Herschel discovered NGC 1682 = H. II-527, along with NGC 1684 = II-528, on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). He recorded them together as "Two, the 1st [NGC 1682] very faint, very small." His RA was 40 seconds too large, the same offset applying to NGC 1684. John Herschel missed this galaxy, only recording NGC 1684 = h334. The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate.
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04 52 17.6 -03 01 29; Ori
V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 165°
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; very faint, small, elongated 2:1
NNW-SSE, 25"x12", can just hold continuously with averted
vision. Two mag 13-14 stars close
E are aligned with the galaxy. A
2' string of faint star to the north is also oriented E-W. Located 6' NNW of
NGC 1684 in a group that includes
17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, very small, low even surface brightness. Among an elongated group of mag 14 stars including a wide pair 1.5' E and a wide pair 2' NW. Located 5' N of NGC 1682 and faintest in a group of four including NGC 1684 and NGC 1685.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1683 in Jan 1850. It was found while examining the NGC 1684 field and labeled as "Gamma" on his sketch. The NGC position is just 1.7' too far east. Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 1 Feb 1905 and assumed it was new. It was listed in his unpublished 4th catalog as J. 1516.
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NGC 1684 = MCG -01-13-031 = PGC 16219
04 52 31.0 -03 06 20; Ori
V = 11.7; Size 2.3'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90°
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; fairly bright, fairly large,
oval 5:3 E-W, ~1.3'x0.8', very strong concentration with a relatively large
bright core that increases to the center.
Mag 7.6
Brightest in a group with NGC 1682 is 3' W, NGC 1683 6' NNW and NGC 1685 9.5'
N.
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, broadly concentrated halo. Brightest of four with NGC 1682 3' W, NGC 1683 6' NW and NGC 1685 9' N. Mag 8.0 SAO 131557 lies 3' SSW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1684 = H. II-528 = h334, along with NGC 1682, on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). He recorded them together and noted "The 2nd, faint, small, little brighter in the middle." His RA as 40 seconds too large (same error as NGC 1682). John Herschel made two observations at Slough, recording on 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 109), "pB; R; bM; has a *7m 45° sp; very well observed." His position was accurate, though I'm surprised he missed nearby NGC 1682. The field was observed 9 times at Birr Castle. Because of the confusion with William's positions as well as the identifications at Birr Castle, John assigned 3 GC designations -- GC 920, 921 and 924. Dreyer sorted this out and combined the entries in the NGC.
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NGC 1685 = MCG -01-13-032 = PGC 16222
04 52 34.3 -02 56 58; Ori
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135°
24" (2/5/21): at 260x; faint, fairly small,oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~40"x25", weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 1' SE of center. Member of the NGC 1684 group, which lies nearly 10' S.
17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, almost even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is off the SE edge 1.0' from center. NGC 1684 lies 9.5' S.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1685 in January 1850. It was found while examining the NGC 1684 field and labeled as "Delta" on his sketch. The NGC position is 2.7' too far north, though the sketch makes the identification certain.
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04 52 54.5 -15 20 49; Eri
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 27°
17.5" (2/2/02): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness. Elongation not seen, so I only viewed the brighter core region as this galaxy is nearly edge-on SSW-NNE. A mag 13 star follows by 2'.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1686 = LM 1-138 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described as "mag 15.5, vS, vE 30°." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 tmin west of MCG -03-13-019 = PGC 16239 and his position angle matches this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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04 51 21.3 -33 56 21; Cae
V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40°
17.5": very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE,
0.6'x0.4'. Very small brighter
core at moments but the overall surface brightness is low and the object
required concentration for a steady view.
Based on the apparent size, I probably viewed the brighter central
region and missed the outer spiral extensions. Located 7' NE of mag 8.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1687 = h2670 on 8 Jan 1836 and
noted "vF; R; gradually
brighter in the middle; 20"."
On the next sweep his position was a perfect match with
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NGC 1688 = ESO 119-006 = AM 0447-595 = LGG 119-003 = PGC 16050
04 48 23.5 -59 47 57; Dor
V = 12.0; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 177°
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.0', broad weak concentration but no other details were evident. This barred spiral is located 38' SE of NGC 1672 38' NW with NGC 1703 34' E. Located 30' ESE of mag 5.3 Kappa Doradus.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1688 = h2671 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50"." On later sweeps he called this nebula "B" and "pB". His position is accurate.
Joseph Turner made a sketch on 5 Dec 1876 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope with the object shown as a narrow streak NW-SE, so he noticed noticed the full length of the central bar (page 121 of logbook). There was some mistake in preparing the lithograph (unpublished plate II, figure 17) which shows two elongated streaks along with additional stars.
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NGC 1689 = NGC 1667 = MCG -01-13-013 = PGC 16062
04 48 36.9 -06 19 13; Eri
See observing notes for NGC 1667.
Lewis Swift found NGC 1689 = Sw. 5-65 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. There is nothing at his position and Herbert Howe reported "I searched for it on two nights [with the 20" refractor at Denver] without success. Probably there was an error of just 5 min in its RA, and it is identical with 1667 [found earlier by Stephan in 1884], which has the same declination. Swift made the same 5 minute error in RA on the same sweep with NGC 1677 = Sw. 5-64, which is identical to NGC 1659. RNGC classifies this number as "not found" (from Dorothy Carlson's paper).
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04 54 19.2 +01 38 25; Ori
V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.9
24" (12/22/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small,
round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. Brightest in a trio (WBL 109) with
UGC 3199 appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness and CGCG 394-028 is very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. A mag 10 star lies 3.2' SSW.
13.1" (11/29/86): very faint, very small, round. Several faint stars are nearby
including a two mag 13.5 star at the west edge 0.6' from center and 1.2'
NNE. Located 7.2' NE of mag 6.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1690 = h335 on 5 Feb 1831
(sweep 322) and logged, "eF; among vS stars; has one vL * sp." His position matches
MCG, PGC and RC3 (and software such as Megastar) misidentify nearby UGC 3199 as NGC 1690. UGC, RNGC and CGCG have the correct identification. UGC mentions the MCG error in the notes section.
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04 54 38.3 +03 16 04; Ori
V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 85°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright stellar nucleus or star superimposed.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1691 = St. 8b-16 on 18 Dec 1873 and logged a rough position 6' too far east. His pubished position (list 8b, #16) was made 3 years later on 15 Dec 1876 with description "faint, small, mag 11 nucleus."
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04 55 23.7 -20 34 16; Lep
V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5°
17.5" (2/14/99): faint, moderately large, round, broad
concentration to a 30" core.
With averted vision the halo extends to at least 1' diameter with
ill-defined edges. Located 13' SE
of mag 8.9
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1692 = LM 1-139 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin examined Stone's discovery sketch and identified NGC 1692 = ESO 552-021. This implies Stone's position is roughly 2 tmin of RA too small, a typical error found in his list. RNGC misidentifies PGC 840096 as NGC 1692. See my RNGC Corrections #5 and Corwin's notes.
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04 47 39 -69 20 36; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 0.7'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright but
small, round. Contains a very
bright core and a small 30" halo.
No resolution except for a faint star at the NW edge. Forms a trio with brighter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1693 = h2672 (along with NGC 1695 = h2673) on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "F, S, R". His position is accurate.
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04 55 16.8 -04 39 10; Eri
V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 30°
17.5" (2/14/99): fairly faint, small, slightly
elongated SW-NE, 40"x30", very small brighter core. Situated within a
group of brighter stars including a mag 10.5 star 3.4' ESE. Located 28' WNW of
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1694 = St. 10-18 on 4 Jan 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory. He reduced the micrometric position 2 years later (9 Jan 1880) and published it in his 10th discovery list (#18). The MCG RA is 0.5 tmin too far east.
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NGC 1695 = ESO 056-003 = S-L 40
04 47 45 -69 22 24; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 1.5'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, fairly small, irregularly round. Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core surrounded by a 45" irregular halo. One brighter star is resolved at the SW edge and a faint star is resolved at the SE edge. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.7' NE. Brightest of three LMC clusters with NGC 1693 2' NNW and KMHK 109 3.8' E. KMHK 109 appeared as a faint, small glow with an irregular shape, gradually increased to the center but azonal with no resolution.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1695 = h2673 (along with NGC 1693 = h2672) on 3 Nov 1834 and logged "F, S, R."
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04 48 30 -68 14 36; Dor
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint,
fairly small, round, 30" diameter.
Bracketed by two stars; a mag 15 star 25" NW of center and a mag 15
star 38" SE of center.
Located 19' SW of mag 6.8
John Herschel discovered NGC 1696 = h2674 on 2 Nov 1834 and wrote "vF; E; very little brighter middle" on his only observation. His position is off by 1.5' in dec.
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04 48 36 -68 33 30; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 2.6'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, fairly
large, round, large bright core, very mottled but not resolved except for a few
sparklers that are visible for moments.
A mag 10.6 star lies 2.5' SE.
Located 11' E of mag 7.2
John Herschel discovered NGC 1697 = h2675 on 2 Nov 1834, along with NGC 1696, 1714/15/18/35/47 and a couple of dozen additional objects. On his first observation (out of 5) he recorded "pB, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"." On the 4th sweep he wrote "globular cluster, pB, R, gradually little brighter middle, 1.5'; resolved. With the left eye I see the stars". The Shapley-Lindsay position (S-L 44) is exactly 10' too far south.
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04 49 04 -69 06 54; Dor
V = 12.1; Size 1.6'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright,
moderately large, irregular glow, 1' diameter. Roughly 10 stars are resolved in the outer halo giving a
triangular shape. NGC 1698 forms a
close pair with KMHK 118, a much smaller and fainter cluster 1.6' SE. It appeared as a faint, small glow,
20" diameter with no resolution.
Mag 10.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1698 = h2677 on 23 Dec 1834. He noted "pB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 60"; resolvable." Although only observed on a single sweep his position is good.
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04 56 59.6 -04 45 25; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 160°
17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated
N-S, even surface brightness.
Located just 4' ENE of mag 7.8
Samuel Hunter discovered NGC 1699 = Sw. 6-21 on 13 Feb 1860 with LdR's 72” (too late for inclusion in LdR’s 1861 publication) while observing the field of NGC 1700. He noted "a smaller one nf, scarcely perceptible in finder and vF, above a F *." NGC 1699 is Hunter’s only deep sky discovery while an observing assistant at Birr Castle. Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 22 Dec 1886 and reported it as new in list VI-21. Dreyer credited both observers in the NGC.
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NGC 1700 = MCG -01-13-038 = LGG 123-002 = PGC 16386
04 56 56.2 -04 51 56; Eri
V = 11.2; Size 3.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 90°
24" (12/8/20): at 260x; bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 ~E-W, ~1.5'x1.1' Contains an intense core the increases to a stellar peak at the center. Situated 6' SSE of mag 8.0 HD 31569. NGC 1699 is 6.6' N and LEDA 146783 is 13' SE. The latter galaxy appeared faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15", faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 1.5' E.
17.5" (12/23/89): bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W,
very bright core. Located 6' SSE
of mag 7.8 SAO 131619. Forms a
pair with NGC 1699 6.7' N.
Brightest in a group (LGG 123) that includes
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core. Located 20' NNE of 62 Eridani (V = 5.5).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1700 = H. IV-32 = h336 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and noted "cB, S, mbM." On 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he reported "cB, vS, bM. Like a star affected with irregular burs." NGC 1700 was observed 10 times with the 72". On 13 Jan 1858 R.J. Mitchell logged, "B centre which I strongly suspect resolvable, faint nebulosity stretches out a long way, involving a minute star preceding." WH's observation probably influenced the Birr Castle observers to look for (nonexistent) structure.
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04 55 51.2 -29 53 01; Cae
V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 137°
17.5": faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 45" diameter. Weakly concentrated with no well-defined core. A mag 11 star is close off the SE side (1.3' from center) and detracts slightly. A very faint pair of mag 15 stars at 18" separation is less than 2' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1701 = h2676 on 6 Nov 1834 and
remarked "F, S, R, 20". A star 10th mag S.f. and a small double star
S.p." His positiions and
description apply to
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04 49 28 -69 51 06; Men
V = 12.5; Size 1.0'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): nicely resolved
cluster, a dozen stars counted in a 50" region. KMHK119, a faint cluster, was picked up 1.8' SW as a small
faint, patch, 20" diameter, no resolution. Located 6.7' WSW of mag 7.2
John Herschel discovered NGC 1702 = h2680 on 12 Nov 1836 and reported a "vF, S, cluster." His position matches this LMC cluster. Herschel mentions that James Dunlop's D 73 is possibly an earlier discovery but of the three objects (NGC 1702, 1711 and 1751) that are likely D 73, NGC 1711 is the brightest.
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NGC 1703 = ESO 119-019 = AM 0452-594= LGG 119-005 = PGC 16234
04 52 52.6 -59 44 36; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 3.0'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.4
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~N-S, 1.5'x1.0'. The appearance is unusual with a mag 10 star (a close double) superimposed SE of the core and the galaxy extends to the northwest of this bright star. The outer halo is diffuse and fades into the background (face-on spiral). Located 34' E of NGC 1688. Member of the NGC 1672 group (LGG 119)
John Herschel discovered NGC 1703 = h2678 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded F, L, R, very little brighter middle, 90"; very dilute at borders. A star 9th mag S.f. almost involved." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1704 = ESO 056-009 = S-L 50
04 49 56 -69 45 24; Dor
V = 11.5; Size 1.7'x1.6'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.1'x0.9'. Contains three bright collinear stars oriented E-W as well as a number of faint stars resolved in the halo. NGC 1702, a bright resolved cluster, lies 6' SSW and a mag 7.2 star (HD 31518) lies 6' SE. NGC 1704 forms the north vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 1702 and the bright star.
James Dunlop probably NGC 1704 = D 110 = h2683 = on 3 Aug 1826. He reported "a small faint nebula". He recorded it again on 24 Sep 1826 (first object in his first of two drifts). His drift log shows it at 15' N of NGC 1711 and 22 seconds of time preceding, a good match.
John Herschel rediscovered the cluster (h2683) on 24 or 25 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and called it "B; R; bM; 90".". But his description on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751) was quite different: "eF; S; E; 40" l; resolvable."
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NGC 1705 = ESO 158-013 = AM 0453-532 = PGC 16282
04 54 14.1 -53 21 38; Pic
V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50°
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration. This galaxy contains a super-star cluster (SSC 1750-A) that appeared as a 14th magnitude "star" offset just west of the center. In good seeing at 350x using the 13mm Ethos and a 2x barlow, the SSC was easily visible and generally appeared stellar, though at moments there was an impression it spanned a couple of arcseconds. A short string of four faint stars is collinear to the NW. Located 30' ENE of the bright double star Iota Pictoris (5.6/6.4 at 12"). NGC 1705 is a nearby blue dwarf starburst galaxy at a distance of 17 million light years.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1705 = h2679 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B; S; R; pretty much brighter middle; 20" diameter." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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04 52 31.0 -62 59 08; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 124°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 40"x35", weak concentration, slightly brighter core. Mag 11 stars lie 5' SSW and 7' S. A mag 11.8 star is 3.6' NE. A companion attached to the northern spiral arm was not seen.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1706 = h2682 on 25 Dec 1837 and called it "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 40"." His position is accurate.
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04 58 21.1 +08 14 19; Ori
Size 30"
17.5" (2/14/99): this is a compact group of four mag 13.5-14.5 stars within 30". Easily picked up at 220x and three close stars visible. At 280x, this multiple star is cleanly resolved in moments of good seeing. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1707 = h338 on 8 Jan 1828
(sweep 118) and described a "resolved nebula or a small round group of
very small stars, 30" diameter." There is nothing at his position but 30 seconds of RA west
is a group of four to five stars and R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant in
1854, called it "only a group of 4 or 5 stars." Bigourdan apparently couldn't find NGC
1707 at Herschel's position and claimed it as new -- B. 381 (later
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05 03 26 +52 52 30; Cam
Size 20'x12'
18" (11/26/03): at 115x, this is a huge, triangular group of ~80 stars, roughly 20'x12', extended N-S with the base of this triangle on the south side and the vertex at the north end. Surprisingly, this scattered group is fairly well detached in the field and appears visually to be a cluster. Includes a number of mag 10.5-11.5 stars. The group is unconcentrated and most of the stars are situated along the perimeter with two large starless interior regions (larger one on the south side).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1708 = h337 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and described a "v Loose, pretty rich, fills field, the largest *10m, mixed magnitudes." The mag 10 star in h's description appears to be 30 tsec further east at 05 03 26.3 +52 52 31 (J2000). RNGC classifies this number as a nonexistent cluster. Walter Scott Houston mentioned this object in his columns of Jan '76 and Sep '89.
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04 58 44.0 -00 28 42; Ori
V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 46°
24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small,
elongated 4:3 SW-NE, ~0.4'x0.3', very small or stellar nucleus. A mag 12.3 star is 50" NW of center.
In a group (WBL 110) with
13.1" (11/29/86): very faint, very small. A mag 13 star is close to the WNW edge just 0.8' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 1713 2.7' ESE.
R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1709 on 8 Dec 1854 while observing NGC 1713. He described "two nebulous knots, the following one [NGC 1713] brighter than the other, both R, little brighter middle, * preceding."
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04 57 17.0 -15 17 20; Lep
V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 15°
18" (2/5/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3
SSW-NNE, well concentrated with a very small bright core. A mag 11 star is 1.2' SE of
center. Located 13' NE of mag 7.6
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is off the SE edge 1.2' from center. Hind's Variable Star lies 45' NE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1710 = LM 1-140 on 14 Nov
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
is less than 1 min of RA following
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NGC 1711 = ESO 056-010 = S-L 55
04 50 36 -69 59 06; Men
V = 10.1; Size 3.5'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large impressive cluster, appearing like a globular! Contains an intensely bright core, which is very mottled and surrounded by a well resolved halo. There appears to be two layers of superimposed layers in the halo as it includes a number of brighter stars overlaid on several dozen fainter stars. The halo extends out to at least 4' diameter, though without a sharp border as it thins. Located 9' S of mag 7.2 HD 31518. Nearby objects include S-L 56 5.5' S, NGC 1702 10' NW and NGC 1704 14' NNW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1711 = D 73 = D 76 = h2684 = on 3 Aug 1826. It was observed again on 24 Sep, 3 Oct and possibly 27 Sep. He described it on 24 Sep as "a small nebula, slight condensation, pretty well defined." and mentioned a mag 7 star 10' N, which is near perfect match with 7.2-magnitude HD 31518. D 76 was described as a "pretty bright small round nebula". Clearly, with several observations on different nights, Dunlop was uncertain which ones referred to the same object and which were different.
John Herschel first observed NGC 1711 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) and described a "globular; B; S; R; r". The next night (sweep 751) he logged "globular; B; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle. Resolved into st 14m, with outliers as far as 4' diam." Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 76.
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04 50 59 -69 24 30; Dor
V = 9.9; Size 4'x3'
25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 187x; elongated group of mostly faint stars about 4' in diameter with a wide mag 10.7/11.5 pair at the south edge. The background was an uneven hazy glow, but when I added a NPB filter the object dimmed. Increasing to 318x, the glow mostly disappeared and at least 30 stars were resolved, showing it’s a large, rich cluster. Close west of NGC 1712 is a 5' chain of stars trending from SSW to NNE with mag 13 to 14.5 stars.
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): first
of three clusters with nebulosity including
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of three nebulous LMC clusters with NGC 1722 3.9' NE and NGC 1727 7.7' NE. NGC 1712 appears as a fairly large knotty region of stars and possible weak nebulosity (within LMC-N79), ~4' diameter. A mag 10.7/11.5 double (separation 17") is at the south edge.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1712 = D 111 (or D 112) = h2685
on 24 Sep 1826. He noted D
111 as a "small faint nebula" and his reduced position was ~10' too
far ESE. But in the drift (second
on this date) he placed it 27' due north of 7th mag HD 31518 (he also began at
this star on the first drift). NGC
1712 lies exactly at this offset.
The next two objects in the drift, D 112 and D 113, apply to NGC 1722
and
John Herschel made a single observation on 24 or 25 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and reported "a pB, S, cluster." Herschel didn't reference Dunlop's possible earlier observations due to the poor match in position.
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NGC 1713 = UGC 3222 = MCG +00-13-056 = CGCG 394-059 = LGG 120-025 = WBL 110-004 = PGC 16471
04 58 54.5 -00 29 20; Ori
V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45°
24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', gradually increases to the center. Brightest galaxy in a group (WBL 110 = HDCE 330) with NGC 1709 2.7' WNW.
CGCG 394-056, 6.6' S, appeared faint, very small, round, 12"
diameter. A mag 13.5 star is
attached at the southeast end. Mag
8.9
13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, faint halo gradually brightens. Forms a pair with NGC 1709 2.7' WNW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1713 = H. II-516 = h339 on 1
Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and reported "F, S, irregularly round, little
brighter in the middle."
There is nothing at his position, but 6.3' due south is
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04 52 06.5 -66 55 25; Dor
V = 11.6; Size 1.1'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
128x, I found a surprisingly bright, high surface brightness knot, ~30"
diameter, with a brighter off-center core. A mag 11 star (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1714 = h2686 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "vB, S, E, bM, 15"; Has another very faint neb nearly north [h2687 = NGC 1715]." On later observations he described "vB, E or bi-nuclear, mbM, 40" long; the S.p. of two" and "vB, S, lE, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle. Double or extended wedge-shaped."
Williamina Fleming classified NGC 1714 (N4A-1) as a gaseous
- similar to a PN nebula - in 1898 (Harvard Circular 32) based on its
photographic spectra (
Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1714 and 1715 on 11 Nov 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. NGC 1714 has a broad fan shape with the illuminated star on the east side (unpublished plate II, figure 18).
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04 52 10.2 -66 54 27; Dor
Size 1.1'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): faint, small, low surface brightness glow, ~45" diameter. Located just 1' NNE of brighter NGC 1714 and 1.3' NE of a mag 11 star in the NW portion of the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1715 = h2687 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "vF, the N.f. of two [with NGC 1714 = h2686]." On his last of three observations, he recorded "eF, R, pL, the 2nd of two [with NGC 1714], making a lozenge with the other, and two stars."
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04 58 13.3 -20 21 49; Lep
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 20°
17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 2.5' N.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1716 = h2681 on 11 Dec 1835. He described it as "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"." His position is about 1' E of ESO 552-034 = PGC 16434.
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04 59 12 -00 15; Ori
= * or possibly = NGC 1709, Corwin. = NGC 1719, Sulentic.
George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1717 on 15 Jan 1849 while observing the presumed field of h340 [= NGC 1719]. In the 1861 LdR publication, the description for h340 simply notes a "nova" near (2 observations claimed) and John Herschel added a single LdR nova to the GC. In the 1880 monograph, the description states "3 vF nebulae" and a very small diagram shows 3 nebulae (no arrow for west), two separated by 3.5' and a third separated by 10' from the larger of the pair. But only a single nebula was found again in 3 subsequent observations of NGC 1719 at Birr Castle.
While preparing the 1880 monograph, Dreyer added the note (in brackets) "The two upper ones are probably h339 & 340 [NGC 1709 & 1713]" and noted the third "nebula" could possibly be a mag 13-14 star recorded by d'Arrest 4.7 sec preceding and 80" north of NGC 1719. A mag 13 star is at d'Arrest's exact offset from NGC 1719 and the UGC notes section equates NGC 1717 with this star. RNGC equates NGC 1717 with NGC 1719 and MCG labels NGC 1719 as NGC 1717.
Yann Pothier suggests the 3 nebulae in the sketch are NGC 1709, NGC 1713 (the closer pair) and the third nebula is CGCG 394-056. Assuming west is to the left on the diagram, these three galaxies are a pretty good match, though CGCG 394-055 is just 1.4' from -056, so is another possibility. A visual observation might help decide. See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 1718 = ESO 085-10 = S-L 65
04 52 25.8 -67 03 07; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 2.0'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appeared at 128x as a fairly faint, round, 1' diameter, well-defined knot with no resolution. A mag 14 star is 1' SSE of center. Located 8' SSE of NGC 1714 and 6' N of a mag 9 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1718 = h2688 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, R, bM." On his 3rd of 3 sweeps he logged "pF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 60"." His positions are excellent.
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NGC 1719 = UGC 3226 = MCG +00-13-060 = CGCG 394-063 = Holm 83a = LGG 120-026 = PGC 16501
04 59 34.4 -00 15 38; Ori
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 102°
24" (1/28/17): at 225x; moderately bright, fairly
small, contains a very small bright core with very low surface brightness
extensions, ~40"x15". A
mag 15 star is superimposed on the southwest side ~15" from center. Located 11' SW of mag 8.1
17.5" (2/22/03): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.2', faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is superimposed on the southwest edge. A mag 13 star is 1.7' NW.
13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W. A mag 14.5 star is at the west end.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1719 = h340 on 23 Nov 1827
(sweep 107) and reported "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a B
* N.f.; the fol of 2 [with NGC 1713]." Although his position is given as uncertain, it is just 1.7'
WNW of
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04 59 20.5 -07 51 32; Eri
V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 95°
24" (1/25/22): at 327x; fairly bright and large, oval
4:3 E-W, over 1' diameter, brighter bar along the major axis (E-W). Forms a pair with
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, moderately large,
elongated E-W. Forms a pair with
NGC 1726 7' NE. Located 4.8' S of
mag 8.1
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1720 on 30 Dec 1861 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 3 nights) and descriptions matches MCG -01-13-041 = PGC 16485. The RNGC RA is 26 seconds too small.
Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector, NGC 1720 was described in the 1935 bulletin as a "spiral in the form of an "S", the central being spindle-lie, 3/4' x 1/4' E 90°, with a pF almost stellar nucleus; there is a slight condensation in the preceding arm and distinct [dust] absorption in the following arm."
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04 59 17.4 -11 07 08; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 2.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 120°
24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly
small, high surface brightness, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~45"x30". Contains a small, bright irregular
core. A mag 14 star is 0.8' NE of
center. First in a close trio (KTS
28) with
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, slightly
elongated, broadly concentrated halo.
A mag 14 star is off the NE side 1' from the center. In a close trio with NGC 1725 1.6' SE
and
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1721 = Sw. 3-32, along with NGC 1725 and 1728, on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory. In Sidereal Messenger, volume 5, he described "three small novae close together; difficult; rather faint, all three probably elongated north and south. A good many stars in field. It requires considerable power to make these nebulae out distinctly, a power of 120 on the 6-inch is about the lowest with which they can be seen.
Lewis Swift observed the trio a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them as new in his third discovery list, which was published in 1886! Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery and document their correspondence. Swift acknowledged Barnard's prior discovery in the errata to his 5th list. Dreyer credited both Barnard and Swift in the NGC, despite Swift's mistae.
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NGC 1722 = LMC-N79 = ESO 056-012 = LH 1
04 51 43 -69 23 54; Dor
25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 187x; unfiltered this is an
unimpressive 2' patch with a few resolved stars and dominated by IC 2111
(N79A), a bright 15" knot with a stellar point (N79B) attached at its NE
end. A mag 12 star lies ~0.5' SW
of IC 2111, a mag 10.7 star (blue supergiant
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1722 is part a small group of LMC clusters with nebulosity (LMC-N79) including NGC 1712 and NGC 1727. At 128x it appeared as a fairly faint, irregular hazy region with a few resolved stars and highlighted by IC 2111, a small, bright knot. The nebulosity has a good response to the UHC filter. Located 4' SW of NGC 1727. This is a very young open cluster with an unevolved main sequence and forms the eastern component of stellar association LH 2.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the second of a trio of LMC clusters and nebulosity at 128x and UHC filter. At the core is a small, bright 15" knot = IC 2111 and surrounding this is a larger 2'-3' group of faint haze and some stars. NGC 1727 lies 4.5' NE and NGC 1712 3.9' SW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1722 = D 112 (or D 111) = h2689 on 24 Sep 1826. He described D 112 as a "double nebula, 15 seconds distant, 15" diameter." The next object in the drift was placed 15 seconds following and 5' north, which is a very good match with NGC 1727.
John Herschel made three observations (first on 3 Nov 1834, sweep 509). On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he called it "The second of a series of clustering patches." Herschel didn't reference Dunlop's possible earlier observation due to his poor reduced position.
Joseph Turner observed and sketched NGC 1722 on 13 Nov 1876
with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope, though he misidentified the field
(NGC 1722 was assumed to be
NGC 1722 is plotted as an planetary nebula on the Planetary on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the first edition of the Sky Atlas 2000.0, because Fleming identified IC 2111's spectrum as class P = planetary.
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NGC 1723 = MCG -02-13-029 = PGC 16493
04 59 25.8 -10 58 51; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 40°
24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, moderately large, well concentrated with a bright elongated core or bar oriented E-W that increases to a small, rounder nucleus. The halo is much fainter and elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~1.8'x0.9'. The galaxy is bracketed by mag 10 stars 2' N and 2.9' E, with a mag 11 star 1.4' S. The triplet NGC 1721, 1725 and 1728 lies 9' S.
17.5" (12/3/88): brightest in a group with a trio NGC 1721, NGC 1725 and NGC 1728 about 8' S. Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Sandwiched between a mag 10 star 2.0' NNW and a mag 11 star 1.3' S. An additional mag 10 star lies 2.9' due east.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1723 = T. 5-3 on 12 Jan 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported "Class III. Situated between two stars 9-10m, which form a triangle with a third." Tempel's micrometric position is very accurate.
E.E. Barnard independently found NGC 1723 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University, along with the trio NGC 1723, 1725 and 1728 to the south. His position in Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5 (page 25) was 30 seconds of RA too far east. Swift notified Barnard that this "nebula" was discovered earlier by Tempel.
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05 03 33 +49 29 30; Aur
Size 1'
18" (3/19/04): this asterism consists of only a trio of mag 11-12 stars at separations of 21" and 29". Located 5' WSW of mag 8.4 HD 32212. A few other mag 8-9 stars are in the same field. Also a chain of 5 mag 12-13 stars is located ~7' E and is certainly more distinctive than this trio of stars.
George Rümker discovered NGC 1724 (his only NGC "discovery") on 30 Apr 1864 while observing stars for the Hamburg catalogue with a 10-cm meridian-circle refractor by Fraunhofer. Rümker marked a "nebula" on the Hamburg star catalogue and his position corresponds with a small trio of mag 11/12 stars at a central position of 05 03 33 +49 29.5 (2000). Auwers couldn't find Rumker's nebula and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, described NGC 1724 as "3 pF st; BD +49d1292 nff." Lynga considered it a doubtful OC (OCL-405) and RNGC classified this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 1725 = MCG -02-13-028 = VV 699 NED2 = KTS 28B = PGC 16488
04 59 22.9 -11 07 56; Eri
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20°
24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, well concentrated with a very small bright core. Initially logged as 25" diameter, but the low surface brightness halo increases in size to 35"-40". Squeezed between NGC 1721 1.6' NW and NGC 1728 1.3' NE.
17.5" (12/3/88): second of three in a close trio. Faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located midway between NGC 1721 1.6' NW and NGC 1728 1.3' NE.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1725 = Sw. 3-33, along with NGC 1721 and 1728, on 10 Nov 1885 at Nashville with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (see description under NGC 1721).
Lewis Swift observed the trio a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them as new again in his third discovery list, published in 1886! Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery and Swift noted this trio was previously discovered by Barnard in the errata to his 5th list. Sherburne Burnham's corrected RA (Publications of Lick Observatory, II) is accurate.
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NGC 1726 = MCG -01-13-042 = PGC 16508
04 59 41.9 -07 45 19; Eri
V = 11.7; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 0°
24" (1/25/22): at 327x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0'x0.8', strong concentration with a relatively small, very bright nucleus. A mag 12 star is off the S edge. Forms a nice pair with NGC 1720 8' SW. Two mag 8-8.5 stars 5' SE and 6' WSW form a trapezoidal outline with the two galaxies.
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, small, compact, small bright core, slightly elongated. A mag 12 star is just off the south edge 0.8' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 1720 7' SW. Located 4.8' ENE of mag 8.1 SAO 131659.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1726 = h341 on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), noting "F; R; about 30" north of a *13 m."
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NGC 1727 = LMC-N79E = ESO 056-014 = S-L 67 = LH 2
04 52 11.5 -69 20 13; Dor
V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.0'
25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): fairly large (up to 4' diameter with NPB filter) and bright nebulous cluster (N79E) with a couple of brighter patches. Roughly a dozen stars were resolved unfiltered in the main group at 318x, along with one of the SE side and one at the W side. There was a strong response to a NPB filter at 187x. The main glow appeared elongated E-W and roughly oval.
On the west side is a brighter patch (N79C) about 45" diameter with a mag 14.4 central star unfiltered. This gives NGC 1727 a sharper edge along the southeast side.
Unfiltered, indistinct faint haze surrounding a single 14th mag star is barely off the SE end. Adding a NPB filter, it appeared as a fairly well defined, bright circular glow (N79D) about 1' diameter. N79E, N79C and N79D were all merged within an a very irregular contiguous glow.
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, irregular patch, ~2.5'x1.5', with at least a half-dozen mag 13 stars resolved. This LMC cluster with nebulosity (N79E) responded well to a UHC filter at 128x. The western section is catalogued as LMC-N79C. A small extension was visible to the southeast consisting of cluster KMHK 187 (no stars were resolved with filter) and emission nebula LMC-N79D, increasing the size to ~3.5'x1.5'. NGC 1727 is in a group with NGC 1722 4' SW and NGC 1712 7.5' SW. Located 4' N of mag 8.5 HD 31722. This is a very young cluster or association (LH 2) with an unevolved main sequence similar to nearby NGC 1722.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x and UHC filter this is a fairly large elongated patch of nebulosity, ~3.5' diameter with a group of mag 12-13 stars superimposed. A smaller detached piece of nebulous haze (LMC-N79D), ~1' diameter, is close southeast. This is the 3rd (and 4th) in a chain of objects with NGC 1722 4.5' SW and NGC 1712 8' SW. A mag 8.5 star (HD 31722) is 4' SSE.
NGC 1727 (Henize N79E) is a lovely and interesting patch of nebulosity and faint resolved stars. It appears as a fairly large and faintly illuminated nebulous patch of disorderly shape. The nebulosity has an uneven mistiness that has no edges and just wafts away into the sky. Four or five mag 13 stars are resolved, they look like little diamond chips embedded in threadbare silk. Very lovely! There is a small, somewhat brighter scrap of nebulosity on the patch’s western side; this is Henize N 79C, and its edges are pretty well defined; its western edge gives the entire patch its only defined edge, albeit not a very big edge. To the SE there is another small, round, scrap of fainter nebulosity (the cluster KMHK 187 and Henize N79D); it appears almost, but not quite, detached; no stars are resolved – it simply appears as a faintish, uneven mistiness; no defined edges
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1727 = D 113 = h2690 on 24 Sep 1826. He described D 113 as a "small faint nebula, oval, 12" or 15" diameter" and placed it 15 seconds of time following and 5' N (in his handwritten drift log) of D 112 = NGC 1712/1722. This is a good match with NGC 1727, although his reduced position is off by nearly 20'.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1727 = h2690 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509). He noted "a rather poor irreg R cluster. (Sky Hazy)". In Dec 1834 (sweep 523) he recorded "A cluster, pB, pmE, 3' l, 90" br; stars 12m"
Joseph Turner observed and sketched NGC 1727 on 13 Nov 1876
with the 48" GMT, though he misidentified the field (NGC 1727 was assumed
to be
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NGC 1728 = MCG -02-13-030 = VV 699 NED3 = KTS 28C = PGC 16495
04 59 27.7 -11 07 22; Eri
V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 177°
24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, elongated
5:2 or 3:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.2', sharp concentration with a small bright core and
bright stellar nucleus. Third in a
close trio (KTS 28) with NGC 1721 and 1725.
17.5" (12/3/88): last of a trio with NGC 1725 1.3' SW and NGC 1725 2.5' W. Fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, small bright core.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1728 = Sw. 3-34, along with NGC 1721 and 1725, on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory. See historical notes for NGC 1721.
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NGC 1729 = MCG -01-13-043 = LGG 123-003 = PGC 16529
05 00 15.5 -03 21 06; Ori
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 30°
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE. A mag 11 star is close off the east end 1.0' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.1' N of center. Member of the NGC 1700 group (LGG 123).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1729 = H. III-503 = Sw. 6-22 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "vF, pL, sp 2 pB stars, equilateral triangle. Its nebulosity reaches the two stars." His position and description is accurate.
Édouard Stephan observed it on 18 Dec 1873 and 1 Dec 1875
and Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 20 Nov 1886. Swift reported it as new in his 6th discovery list, #22 and
wrote, "eeeF; pS; R; pF * nr foll; [
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04 59 31.8 -15 49 25; Lep
V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 94°
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval
~E-W. There is possibly an
extremely faint star at the east end [verified on DSS]. Forms an obtuse angle with mag 8.7 SAO
150054 5' NW and mag 9.0
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1730 = LM 1-141 = LM
1-142 = Sw. 5-66 on 12 Nov 1885. Leavenworth called it a double nebula
with separation 10" in PA 110°, but there is only a single galaxy with a
faint star superimposed. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is
accurate in declination and a good match in RA. Lewis Swift independently
found this galaxy on 9 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in his 5th list with a
very accurate position (used in the NGC).
Frank Muller noted the equivalence of Swift's and Leavenworth's nebula
in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887). Muller listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had
been discovered previously. As a
result, Dreyer only assigned a single NGC designation. But apparently Barnard found the galaxy
again and notified Dreyer directly and it was catalogued again as
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NGC 1731 = ESO 085-012 = S-L 82 = LMC-N4 = LH 4
04 53 29.5 -66 55 30; Dor
V = 9.9; Size 8'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this is a large region of nebulosity (LHa 120-N4, a confirmed supernova remnant) and scattered stars (association LH 4), 6'-7' diameter. The double star h3710 = 10.7/12.7 at 12" is involved on the east side, along with a number of fainter stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1731 = h2691 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "a double star, the chief of a pretty rich, pretty large cluster of loosely scattered stars, little compressed to the middle; 8'; stars 11..15th mag." On a second sweep he called it "a poor loose cluster 8' diameter, stars 10..15th mag, chief double star taken." and on his third and last sweep, "a double star, the chief of a poor loose cluster 3 or 4' diameter."
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04 53 11 -68 39 00; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 0.9'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
moderately bright, very small, 20"-24" diameter. At first glance looks like a double
star oriented NW-SE embedded in some surrounding haze. But with a careful
examination one of the "stars" is clearly bloated (perhaps has very
close companions) and appears as a very small high surface brightness glow.
LMC Supernova remnant N86 lies 14' E. This observation is from the 2017 OzSky star party:
25" (10/17/17): at 244x; this LMC supernova remnant appeared unfiltered as a large, low surface brightness hazy region, just south of a mag 11.8 star. A couple of 14th mag stars appear involved with the haze. This mag 11.8 star forms the eastern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 11.5 star 5.6' NW and a mag 10.0 star 6' SW. There was a weak contrast gain adding a NPB filter, with the most evident section ~1' diameter [centered 1.2' S of the mag 11.8 star] and slightly brighter on the east side.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1732 = h2694 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "a small double star first class [HJ 3712] in centre of a S, R, nebula." Joseph Turner made a sketch with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 19) showing a double star within a small patch of nebulosity. Observing in 1926 with the 26-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, Robert Innes called it a "5 arc second double star in the foci of an elliptical nebula."
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04 54 04.9 -66 40 57; Dor
V = 13.3; Size 1.2'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
LMC cluster appeared as a round knot, ~25" diameter with a fairly even
surface brightness. Easy to locate
as it is situated just 3.4' E of mag 6.5
John Herschel discovered NGC 1733 = h2693 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "eF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40". A very starry field follows this, and hereabouts may be said to commence the denser part of the Nubecula Major." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1734 = ESO 056-018 = S-L 83
04 53 34 -68 46 06; Dor
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, 1' diameter, very irregular shape, mottled. At 200x, a couple of extremely faint mag 16 stars were resolved at the edges. NGC 1732 lies 7.3' NNW. In addition I logged three clusters not plotted on the Morel Atlas: KMHK 193 4.7' WSW, KMHK 189 6.9' SW and S-L 75 9.7' SSW. The S-L cluster was brighter and larger than many NGC objects in the LMC. At 200x it appeared moderately bright and large, round, 45"-50" diameter, broad concentration, no resolution.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1734 = h2695 on 23 Dec 1834 and described as "pB, L, R, gradually much brighter middle". His position matches this LMC cluster.
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04 54 20.2 -67 06 04; Dor
V = 10.8; Size 1.8'x1.5'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x
this LMC cluster appeared as a very elongated, very knotty string, ~1.2' in
length and consisting of several mag 12-14 stars in a tight chain. The core is the "star" HDE
268671 at the southeast end.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1735 = h2696 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, vS, R; has two or three stars appended." On a later sweep he called it "pB,S, R; has two stars appended forming an arc with the nebula."
Joseph Turner sketched the cluster on 13 Nov 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 20 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..."). Turner called the nebula faint and at times sparkling, possbily caused by the presence of three stars.
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04 53 03 -68 03 10; Dor
Size 1.8'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
200x, this is a bright, relatively large, crescent-shaped nebulosity involving
4 stars, ~1.2'x0.8', stretching NNW to SSE. On the east side, four stars
were resolved in an 0.8' curving arc that followed the shape of the nebula!
The two brighter mag 13.5 stars are on the south end of the string and
two mag 14.5 and 15 stars are just north. In addition, a couple of very
faint stars are off the southwest side. I didn't compare the view using a
filter. Located ~9' E of a 2' pair of bright stars: mag 6.8 HD 31532 and
mag 8.4
John Herschel discovered NGC 1736 = h2697 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "B; R; resolvable" on his single observation. There is nothing at his position, but Robert Innes suggested h2697 was probably identical to a "nebulous patch north-preceding a 12 mag star", located 1 min of RA west of Herschel's's position. Henize (Catalogues of Hydrogen Alpha Emission Stars and Nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds, Astrophysical Journal Supplement 2, 1956, p315), also noted LHa N120-8 is "Probably NGC 1736. The NGC description suits the object but the position is 1 minute in error." He reported, "1.4' east-west and 1.9' north-south. It has a slightly irregular outline, is not elongated and has appreciable structure. Two 12.8 mag exciting stars are involved." Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), repeated the "NGC position in error and should be 1m [West] where there is a bright round patch of nebulosity not listed in the NGC. This is Henize N8 and noted by Henize to be probably NGC 1736 with 1m error." Herschel caught several typos of this type and corrected them in an errata list, but missed this one.
Joseph Turner observed and sketch this object on 11 Nov 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 21 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..." . In 1885 Barachi noted, "Small, round, bright, about 202 2 ; edge rather ill-defined, not sharp; sparkling at times; may be a little cluster, but could not make certain with any power."
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04 53 57.8 -69 10 28; Dor
V = 13.2; Size 0.8'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; fairly
faint, moderately large, round glow (emission nebula N83C), ~0.9'
diameter. A mag 14.4 star is at
the center of the circular patch.
NGC 1737 is on the northwest side of an impressive complex of nebulae
with NGC 1743 1.8' SE and
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
200x appears as fairly faint nebulous patch centered ~1.8' NNW of the core of
NGC 1743 and appears nearly connected.
The outline is irregular and roughly 45" diameter with a couple of
mag 14 stars involved on the south side.
Within an impressive complex of nebulosity (LMC-N83 and association LH
5) with NGC 1745 and NGC 1748 as well as cluster
John Herschel discovered NGC 1737 = h2698 0n 11 Nov 1836 and recorded "very faint, small; the first of a trapezium of four nebulae. Place estimated from those of the second and fourth." The four objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and NGC 1748.
Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22). Turner commented "This is a most difficult group to identify, as it bears no resemblance to Herschel's description, and but for its position, which has been several times verified, I should very much doubt whether these were the objects at all. There are no other nebulous patches near, and H. says these four form a sort of trapezium, so that these must be the objects sought; but they must have altered greatly since H.'s time..."
The object taken as NGC 1737 is BSDL 104 (at the east edge of NGC 1712). Pietro Baracchi correctly identified and sketched the field on 13 Nov 1884.
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05 01 46.7 -18 09 28; Lep
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 38°
17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval
SW-NE, even surface brightness.
Contact pair with
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1738 = LM 1-143 (along with NGC
1739 = LM 1-144) on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander
McCormick Observatory. His rough
position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 minute of RA west of
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NGC 1739 = ESO 552-050 = MCG -03-13-055 = PGC 16586
05 01 47.4 -18 10 02; Lep
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 105°
17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, round. Attached at the south end of NGC 1738.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1739 = LM 1-144 (along with NGC 1738 = LM 1-143) on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 minute of RA west of ESO 552-049. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1740 = MCG -01-13-046 = Holm 84a = PGC 16589
05 01 54.8 -03 17 47; Ori
V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 125°
17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, oval SW-NE,
small bright core. A mag 12 star
is at the SW edge 0.5' from center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1740 = h342 on 11 Feb 1830
(sweep 233) and wrote, "eF; S; 4"; has a * 12m N.f." His position is just off the east side
of
While searching for
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NGC 1741 = NGC 1741A = HCG 31A = Arp 259 NED4 = VV 524 NED4 = VV 565 NED4 = MCG -01-13-045 = LGG 123-005 = PGC 16574
05 01 38.7 -04 15 34; Eri
V = 12.5; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 70°
48" (11/2/13): NGC 1741 = HCG 31A/C is a merging system
with intense star formation. HCG
31C, the western component, appeared fairly bright, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE,
~18"x9".
17.5" (2/8/97): brightest in
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round. A mag 12 star is 0.9' SE of center. This is a double system and brightest in HCG 31. IC 399 lies 2.3' SE (not seen).
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1741 = St. 9-5 on 29 Dec
1877. He reduced the position a
week later (6 Jan 1878) and published it in his 9th discovery list (#5). Stephan's micrometric position matches
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05 02 00.4 -03 17 14; Ori
= * 1' NE of NGC 1740, Corwin.
Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 1742 on 29 Dec 1866 during an observation of GC 965 = NGC 1740. He described this object as "vF, vS" and placed it 3.6 sec east and 25" north of NGC 1740. Ball's position corresponds to a star at 5 02 00.4 -03 17 15 (2000). The RNGC misidentifies NGC 1742 by calling it equal to NGC 1740.
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NGC 1743 = LMC-N83A = ESO 056-21 = S-L 87
04 54 03.2 -69 11 57; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 1.0'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; extremely bright, fairly large, irregular, extends ~1.5' NW-SE. The most prominent section has a very high surface brightness and contains a mag 12.3 star (the ionizing star 06-type SK -69°25). This knot is surrounded by a fainter halo to the SE and E, along with an extension towards the NW that ends just south of NGC 1737 (nearly connected). In the same nebulous complex (N83) is NGC 1748 ~2' NE, NGC 1745 3' NE, NGC 1737 2' NW and NGC 1756 5' SE.
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): brightest section of an excellent HII/cluster complex including NGC 1737, 1745, 1748 and 1756. At 200x, NGC 1743 appeared very bright, moderately large, ~50" diameter. Contains a very high surface brightness "core" with a fairly bright star involved. A larger "halo" extends mostly north amd roughly doubles the size to ~1.7'. NGC 1737, a faint extension with a couple of stars involved, is 1.8' NNW. NGC 1743 and NGC 1748 (a bright high surface brightness knot 2' NE) are embedded within a very large, irregular, low surface brightness haze extending ~3' (stellar association LH 5 and emission nebula LMC-N83), oriented roughly from NGC 1743 on the SW side to NGC 1745 on the NE end.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1743 = D 114 = h2699 on 3 Aug 1826. Based on two observations, he described "a small round nebula, about 20" diameter, bright at the centre." His notebook description from 3 Aug adds the following information: "A star of the 7th or 8th mag following and 5' south - both the nebula and star are in a pretty large faint nebula of considerable extended - extended following with several minute stars in it." This description applies very well to NGC 1727, which has a mag 8.5 star (HD 31722) 4' SE and is situated 14' SSW of Dunlop's position. Perhaps this is the intended object instead?
John Herschel recorded this object on 3 Nov 1834 (509) as "round, gradually brighter in the middle; 2' (thick haze)." On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he called it "bright, round, resolvable; No. 2 in a group of four forming a sort of lozenge." The four objects he referred to are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748.
Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22). The object taken as NGC 1743, and drawn as a very elongated, curvy nebulosity oriented N-S, is actually NGC 1722.
Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884. His sketch shows NGC 1743 in two sections; the northern part elongated NW-SE and ending near NGC 1737 and the southern part with a comet-like appearance surrounding the 06-type star SK -69°25. In a short report by Ellery in The Observatory, 9, 204, he mentions that NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748 appeared to show distinct differences, not only since John Herschel's time, but between Turner's and Baracchi's observations, though this is due to the confusion in the field.
Williamina Fleming classified the HII region (
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04 59 57.6 -26 01 19; Lep
V = 11.1; Size 8.1'x4.4'; Surf Br = 14.9; PA = 168°
13.1" (1/18/85): weak central brightening. A faint double star at 20" separation is at the north edge.
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 5'x2', fairly even surface brightness. Two mag 14 stars are at the north edge 2.5' from the center with a total of three or four faint stars superimposed.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1744 = h2692 and called "vF, vL, vmE, very gradually very little brighter middle, 4' long, 2.5' broad." His position is ~35 sec of RA too far east, but the identification is certain based on the description.
Joseph Turner sketched this galaxy on 11 Dec 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 23 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...". He found the nebula much elongated ~N-S, length about 2' 20" and much fainter than expected. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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04 54 27 -69 09 34; Dor
V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x1.0'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): fairly faint but easily visible as an irregular nebulous haze (N83D), fairly large, surrounding a half-dozen stars mag 14 and fainter. Good contrast gain with a NPB filter at 244x. In a group of nebulae including compact NGC 1748 1.5' S and NGC 1743 3.5' SW. SIMBAD lists the brightest star at mag 12.4 at the east edge.
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly large nebulosity with a half dozen mag 13.5-14.5 stars involved, ~1' diameter. Located on the NE side of the NGC 1743 complex (OB association LH 5 and emission nebula LMC-N83), ~1.5' N of NGC 1748 and 3' NE of NGC 1743, the two main sections of the complex.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1745 = h2702 on 11 Nov 1836 and logged "faint, small, No 3 in a group of 4. Place estimated from No. 2." The four objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and NGC 1748.
Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22). The object taken as NGC 1745, and drawn as an irregular, elongated E-W nebula with roughly 10 stars involved, is actually NGC 1722. Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884. His sketch seems to show an elongated nebula oriented WSW-ENE.
A small group of stars off the southeast edge of NGC 1743 is misidentified at NGC 1743 on the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.
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05 03 50 +23 46 12; Tau
Size 42'
17.5" (2/22/87): very bright, very large, large range
of magnitudes, spread out overall but locally rich in a few spots. NGC 1746 comprises two main subgroups -
NGC 1746, although often applied to the 40' field that includes NGC 1750 and 1758, may historically be a duplicate of NGC 1750 or just a group of faint field stars noted by d'Arrest while searching for NGC 1750.
13.1" (12/22/84): about 100 stars in 20' field. The brightest mag 7 star (
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1746 on 9 Nov 1863 with an 11" refractor while searching for NGC 1750. He described it as a poor cluster. His position was roughly 10' N of William Herschel's position for VIII-43 (later NGC 1750), though d'Arrest refers to his "cluster" as H. VIII-43. NGC 1746 is often applied to the entire 40' field including NGC 1750 and 1758. But Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1746 may just be a duplicate of NGC 1750 or perhaps just a group of stars on the north edge of NGC 1750. In any case, it is not a separate cluster from NGC 1750 and 1759, although I've retained the position and size often found in observing books and atlases.
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NGC 1747 = LMC-N9 = ESO 085-016 = S-L 98
04 55 11 -67 10 06; Dor
V = 9.4
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x
and UHC filter, this LMC nebulous cluster appeared as a fairly large, low
surface brightness glow, ~4' diameter encasing a mag 9.7 star (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1747 = h2701 on 2 Nov 1834 and described as "A star 9th mag in the centre of a poor cluster of very small stars, 4' diameter."
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NGC 1748 = IC 2114 = LMC-N83B = ESO 056-024
04 54 24.7 -69 11 02; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 0.7'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; fairly bright but fairly small round patch (N83B) with a high surface brightness and a diameter of ~30". At 397x, a 13th mag "star" (N83B-1) was resolved at the southeast edge. This star is classified as a high excitation H II blob [HEB]. According to Iranian-born astronomer Mohammed Heydari-Malayeri, these unusual objects represent "early stages of massive stars emerging from their embryonic molecular clouds". Unfiltered a second star (mag ~13.5) is involved closer to the center, forming a 7" double with the HEB. NGC 1748 is in a group of interesting nebulae with NGC 1743 2' SW, NGC 1745 1.5' N and NGC 1737 2.5' WNW. Also NGC 1756 (populous blue cluster) is 4' SE.
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this HII region (LMC-N83B) appeared as a bright, small, high surface bright knot in a striking group of nebulae, 20" diameter. A couple of stars are involved in the bright glow. A mag 10.3 star is 1.9' SW. NGC 1743 lies 2' SW
John Herschel discovered NGC 1748 = h2704 on 11 Nov 1836 and
reported "pB, vS, R, No. 4 in a group of 4." The other three objects are NGC 1737,
1743, 1745. According to Harold
Corwin,
Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22). The object taken as NGC 1748 is LMC-N79D (off the SE edge of NGC 1727) and he mentioned a small star in the center. Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884. His sketch seems to show a bright center or star and a fainter star on the east edge.
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04 54 56.5 -68 11 19; Dor
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
extremely faint, very small glow, ~20" diameter. Located 2' NW of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1749 = h2703 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "vF; R; the preceding of two [with NGC 1755] in the field." His position is accurate.
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05 04 00 +23 38 42; Tau
Size 20'
17.5" (1/19/91): prominent subgroup of two dozen stars within NGC 1746 on the SW side. Fairly large, oval outline oriented NW-SE, void in the center. Includes a nice double star 9.1/9.1 at 20". NGC 1758 is close NE (though probably physically unrelated ). Modern catalogues apply NGC 1746 to the entire cluster (see description), although NGC 1750 (from William Herschel) and NGC 1746 (from d'Arrest) are either identical or just parts of the same cluster.
13.1": group of fainter stars, just SE of open cluster NGC 1746.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1750 = H. VIII-43, along with NGC 1758, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493). He described them together as "A cluster of very coarsely scattered large stars, joining to the following [VII 21 = NGC 1758] I believe." His position indicates NGC 1750 is the large, elongated group of stars centered at 05 03 55 +23 39.5, just SW of NGC 1758. Although NGC 1750 is generally taken as a subgroup (on the SE side) of much larger NGC 1746, Corwin suggests that Heinrich d'Arrest's NGC 1746, which was found while searching for NGC 1750, is actually a duplicate of NGC 1750. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states that NGC 1750 is the central group in a very large cluster also containing NGC 1746 and NGC 1758.
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04 54 12.0 -69 48 27; Men
V = 11.7; Size 1.7'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1.3' diameter. Contains a slightly brighter core that is offset from the geometric center and an irregular halo. Two mag 15-15.5 stars were resolved at the edges and a couple of extremely faint mag 16-16.5 stars were occasionally resolved within the main glow.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1751 = D 78 = h2705 on 24 Sep 1826. He described it as "a small faint
nebula, about 15" diameter, irregular round figure, with a minute star
slightly involved in the south side." His reduced published position was 12' too far ESE, but his
handwritten drift data is fairly consistent with
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1751 = h2705 on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751) and logged "extremely faint, irregularly round; 2' diameter". His single position is accurate.
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05 02 09.4 -08 14 27; Eri
V = 12.4; Size 2.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 70°
17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, moderately large, very
elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, even surface brightness. A pair of mag 11.5 stars are 2' NE (50" separation
WNW-ESE) and a fainter mag 12.5 star is 3.8' NE. Located 10' WSW of mag 7.8
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1752 on 30 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position (measured on 2 nights) and description is accurate
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NGC 1753 = MCG -01-13-048 = PGC 16610
05 02 32.1 -03 20 35; Ori
V = 14.4; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 15°
17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, fairly small, low even surface brightness. A close double star mag 13/15 is 3' SE. NGC 1740 lies 10' WNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1753 = Sw. 5-67 on 31 Oct 1886
with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and comment "south of [NGC 1740]"
applies to
Pietro Baracchi possibly made an earlier discovery on 28 Dec 1885 and reported "very faint, very small, very little brighter in the middle, indistinct. He assumed he observed NGC 1740 but his position is 40 seconds of RA due east of this galaxy.
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04 54 18 -70 26 30; Men
V = 11.6; Size 1.6'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly small, round,
high surface brightness with a relatively thin outer halo, 45"
diameter. Mottled, but unresolved
except for a couple of mag 15.5 stars at the edges. A mag 11 star is just off the southeast side [33" from
center]. A mag 10 star (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1754 = h2708 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "F, S, R, 20". Has a 13th mag star close to edge (about 45 degrees S.f. by diag.)". His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 1755 = ESO 256-028 = S-L 99
04 55 14.7 -68 12 20; Dor
V = 9.9; Size 2'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, compact cluster, round, 1.5' diameter, brighter core, no resolution. Forms a pair with much fainter NGC 1749 2' NW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1755 = D 167 = h2706 on 3 Oct 1826, along with D 168 (= NGC 1770). He described a "pretty bright round well-defined nebula, 15" diameter." His position was 7' too far west. He made a second observation on 6 Nov 1826 with his position 6' to the SSE.
John Herschel made a single observation on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "very bright, round, gradually brighter in the middle; 60". The following of two [with NGC 1749] in the field."
Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 1755 and NGC 1749 on 10 Dec 1884 with the 48" Melbourne telescope. His sketch shows NGC 1755 as very mottled with a distinct star at the south edge and another at the northwest edge. At the same time he discovered S-L 92, an extremely faint cluster 5' SW. He wrote in his notebook, "Nebula not in Calalogues. Very faint, a little elongated, no condensation." The discovery was not published.
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NGC 1756 = ESO 056-27 = S-L 94
04 54 49.7 -69 14 13; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 1.1'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): fairly bright, relatively lrge, round, 1' diameter, irregular surface brightness, slightly brighter center but no resolution. In a striking field with NGC 1748 4' NW and NGC 1743 centered 4.7' WNW.
LMC-N90, a compact HII region 3.7' SE, appeared as a small but moderately high surface brightness hazy knot, ~20" diameter. This object is categorized as a Low Excitation Blob (LEB) with a [O III]/H-beta ratio = 0.65.
S-L 114, located 7' ESE, was resolved at 397x into 4 stars in a knot including a 12th mag star, surrounding by unresolved haze. A mag 11.5 star is 0.9' SSE.
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright cluster, relatively large, round, 1.0' diameter, broad concentration with no nucleus or resolution. Located ~5' SE of the NGC 1743 HII complex (LMC-N83) and stellar association LH 5, which includes NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1756 = h2707 on on 11 Nov 1836 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate.
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05 02 36 -04 43; Eri
= Not found, Corwin and Dreyer.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1757 = h343 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 235) and described a "very large space affected with nebulous streams in zigzags up and down. (N.B. Such observations require several verifications. The opportunity has not occurred in this case.)". This object was searched for unsuccessfully at Birr Castle on 7 attempts between 1848-1858. Tempel failed twice, as did Spitaler, and Karl Reinmuth was unsuccessful identifying it on Heidelberg plates. Harold Corwin concludes it is nonexistent (see his notes for more).
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05 04 33 +23 48 54; Tau
Size 10'
17.5" (1/19/91): about two dozen stars visible at 100x. Moderately large, roundish group
comprising one of the subgroups of NGC 1746 on the east side. Located between two mag 8 stars
(oriented N-S) and a mag 7 star (
William Herschel discovered NGC 1758 = H. VII-21, along with NGC 1750, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493). He described "a cluster of pretty compressed stars with many extremely small stars mixed with them." Auwers' re-reduced position places H. VII-21 at 05 04 24 +23 48, matching this 10' group of stars.
A 1992 article "Probable open clusters NGC 1750 and NGC 1758 behind the Taurus dark clouds" (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1992BaltA...1..125S0) concludes that NGC 1758 and NGC 1750 may be true open clusters are different distances and a 1999 article (http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1002118814371?LI=true) arrives at the same conclusion. Another 1998 article "The Overlapping Clusters NGC 1750 and NGC 1758" in A&AS, 333, 471 concluded there was at least 1 cluster in the area (but could not determine if it was a double cluster), though NGC 1746 was not a cluster. Finally, in a Feb 2005 S&T article, James Kaler states that "N1750 and N1758 are probably two different clusters separated along our line of sight by 500 light years, but they appear to fall almost directly atop each other"
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05 00 49.0 -38 40 27; Cae
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7
18" (1/17/09): very faint, small, round, 25"
diameter. Not seen initially
(confused a close double star as nebulous) until I carefully checked the
position. This galaxy is the brightest
member of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1759 = h2700 on 28 Nov 1837 and
called "vF; pL very gradually little brighter middle; 90"." His position is 2' S of
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04 56 36 -66 31 36; Dor
V = 11.5; Size 2'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): appears as a 1.7' E-W string of a half-dozen stars over fairly bright nebulosity. The emission haze is brightest just south of the string and extending to the west of the string a couple of arc minutes. Irregular nebulosity also branches out to the south of the string for another 2' and involves a mag 12 star. Another 2' string of N-S stars is on the west side of the haze.
NGC 1760 is at the SW end of a stunning complex (LHA
120-N11) of clusters and
nebulosity including
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 1' strip of nebulosity just 3' S of NGC 1761. One or two involved stars were barely resolved.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1760 = h2709 on 20 Dec 1835 and described "a very faint, small nebula, with three very small stars involved. Place deduced not from a sweep but from a drawing carefully made of its configuration with the neighbouring nebula, especially of the cluster [NGC 1761]." Steinicke attributes James Dunlop with the discovery (D 231), but I don't believe this group of stars is obvious enough to have been picked up with his 9" speculum reflector.
Joseph Turner sketched the entire complex with the 48"
GMT between 17 and 21 Apr 1879 (plate III, figure 24 in "Observations of
the Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne
Telescope". Turner's sketch
shows the E-W string of stars but a round nebula to the SW, matching the
position of LMC-N11I, is identified as NGC 1760. In November 1884, Baracchi wrote, "Very faint, small,
roundish, three stars in it, 16th or 17th magnitude. Agrees exactly with
H[erschel]. and T[urner]. No stars in the field. Three stars involved are not
shown distinctly in the lithograph. They really appear as three distinct stars
involved in very faint roundish nebula, whereas lithograph shows bright nebula
with stars too diffused and uncertain." His sketch identifies GC 979 as the elongated strip just south
of
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NGC 1761 = ESO 085-18 = S-L 122 = LH 9
04 56 38 -66 28 42; Dor
V = 9.9; Size 4.2'x3.0'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large cluster sandwiched between the showpiece Bean Nebula (NGC 1763) to the north and NGC 1760 to the south. The cluster contains roughly 80 stars mag 11 to 16 in a 3.5' irregularly shaped group over some background haze. The stars are fairly even distributed except for a detached 1.3' group of 10-12 stars off the NW side. Including this detached section, the overall size of this star cloud (association LH 9) is 5'x3.5'. It’s the central cluster in the N11 Superbubble.
On the northwest side of the main cluster is
25" (4/4/19): at 244x; Brey 9 was a fairly bright compact knot on the northwest side of NGC 1761. It had a high surface brightness and ~5" diameter. A faint star was attached at the edge forming a "double".
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this rich group of very faint stars is located just south of the HII region/cluster NGC 1763. On the west side is a quasi-stellar mag 10 object and the cluster is elongated E-W, 2'x1'. On the west side of the brighter star is another small group of faint stars and haze which may be a continuation of the cluster.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1761 = D 231 = h2710, along with NGC 1763 and NGC 1769, on 3 Aug 1826. He called it "a faint round nebula, 1' diameter" in a trio with D 230 = NGC 1763 and D 232 = NGC 1769. His positions for the trio are ~15' too far south (correct in RA). D 227, 228 and 229, recorded on 6 Nov and also described as a triangle of nebulae, may be another observation of NGC 1761, 1763 and 1769. Their positions was ~30' to the NW.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1761 on 11 Dec 1835 (sweep 653) and recorded the "chief star 9th mag in a large loose cluster." He made 3 observations and included it on a sketch (Plate III, fig 3), along with NGC 1760, 1763 and 1769. Joseph Turner sketched the entire complex as well in Apr 1879 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. NGC 1761 is shown as an irregular nebulous patch elongated E-W with a number of stars superimposed, particularly around the edges.
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05 03 37.0 +01 34 25; Ori
V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval ~N-S. A mag 13 star is superimposed on the east side.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1762 = H. III-453 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged "vF, vS, 240 confirmed it." Caroline Herschel made an error in reducing his offset in RA and his published position was 10 tmin of RA too far west. Coincidentally, that placed it close to UGC 3198. When John Herschel observed this galaxy, he equated his h335 with H. III-453. JH sorted out the mistake when compiling the GC. The NGC dec was 3' too far north.
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NGC 1763 = LMC-N11B = ESO 085-20 = S-L 125 = LH 10 = Bean Nebula
04 56 45 -66 24 36; Dor
Size 5'x3'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): The Bean Nebula complex (LHA 120-N11) is the second largest stellar nursery in the LMC after the Tarantula Nebula. The showpiece object is NGC 1763, which sits near the center of a stunning field of emission nebulae and clusters including NGC 1760 7' S, NGC 1761 3' S, NGC 1769 6.5' SE, NGC 1773 8' ENE and NGC 1776 11' E. NGC 1763 is a very bright, very large irregular nebula, shaped like a kidney-bean or a fetus. The main body extends 5'x3', elongated SW-NE with a bulbous portion on the northeast side and an indentation (weaker nebulosity) on the south side. Overall the surface brightness is very high, though uneven, and much fainter haze and filaments flow out from the Bean in most directions. Within the main body, the nebula is brightest in a loop on the southwest side and secondly in a section on the northeast side.
LH 10, a large cluster or OB-association (youngest in the
LMC-N11 complex) with roughly two dozen resolved stars is involved with the
nebula. LH 10 includes a number of
12-13 mag stars (several of which are massive O3-type stars), many in an
elongated 1' group on the southwestern side. The brightest mag 11.7 "star" (PGMW 3070) is
actually an extremely compact cluster with 18 stars resolved by the HST. A wide pair [17" separation] of mag
11.9 and 12.9 stars (O3-type
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this emission nebula and cluster is set in fascinating field of several clusters and HII regions including NGC 1761, 1769, and 1773. The nebula is fairly bright, large, very elongated WSW-ENE, 4'x2'. A few stars are superimposed on the nebulosity. The roughly oval outline is irregular and the HII region appears brighter on the WSW side near a rich group of stars at the WSW tip. A couple of mag 11 stars are close off the NE end. IC 2115 and IC 2116 comprise the western and eastern portion of this object. After viewing this group of objects, the LMC which was well past the meridian disappeared behind some low clouds.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1763 = D 230, along with NGC 1761 and NGC 1769, on 3 Aug 1826 with a second observation on 6 Nov 1826. He described a "very faint rather elliptical nebula, about 2' diameter. This is the preceding and largest of three nebulae forming a triangle". His position is ~12' too far south, but close in RA.
John Herschel made 5 observations, the first on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508). On 13 Dec 1835 (sweep 653), he described it as "a vB, vL neb with stars (the chief of which in the anterior part of the neb taken) of a crooked rounded oblong starpe. A fine object. See fig. 3. Plate III." His excellent sketch includes NGC 1760, 1761, 1763 and 1769. Joseph Turner also sketched the complex between 17 Apr and 21 Apr 1879 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.
Williamina Fleming discovered the emission line spectrum of NGC 1763 on photographic spectrum plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station in 1897 (Harvard Circular 19). See IC 2115.
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04 56 28 -67 41 36; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
relatively bright, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter. At 200x, a few very tightly packed
stars are resolved within the glow.
A mag 14.2 star is 0.6' S and a mag 12 star is 2.2' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1764 = h2713 on 2 Jan 1837 and described as "very faint, small, round, 15". The zone here is full of grouping and clustering stars." His position is accurate.
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04 58 24.3 -62 01 41; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 150°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, small bright core, moderate surface brightness. A mag 11.5 star is 3.9' SSE and a mag 12 star is 7.8' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1765 = h2712 on 26 Dec 1834. His description reads "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"." His position, measured on two sweeps, is accurate. In 1926, Willem van den Bos called it a "Nebula with bright centre, elongated Nf and Sp. 11 mag." (26" refractor, Union Observatory).
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04 55 58 -70 13 30; Men
V = 12.2; Size 0.7'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright LMC cluster, ~35"
diameter. Two mag 14 stars are resolved,
as well as 3-5 mag 15+ stars over haze.
Located 2.7' ENE of mag 10
John Herschel discovered NGC 1766 = h2717 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcsec." On a second sweep he called it "vF, R, 30 arcsec. Taken at leaving the field, which, in so faint an object, is a source of uncertainty in R.A." His position, though, is fairly accurate.
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04 56 27.3 -69 24 08; Dor
V = 10.6; Size 1'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
218x, this compact LMC cluster appeared bright, small, round, ~25"
diameter, very small bright core, overall high surface brightness. The cluster forms the western vertex of
a triangle with
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1767 on 24 Sep 1826 and noted a "faint nebula, ill defined". In the drift (second of the night) it was recorded 26 seconds prior to NGC 1772 and 9' to its north. Those offsets land exactly on NGC 1767 so the identification is certain, although he accidentally skipped including it in his published catalog so it doesn't have a Dunlop designation.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1767 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded as#123 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." Dreyer added the cluster to the GC Supplement as GC 5062.
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04 57 02.7 -68 14 54; Dor
V = 12.8; Size 0.7'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this LMC cluster appeared fairly faint, small, 0.7' diameter. It seemed to consist of a chain of faint knots of stars. Located 10' ESE of NGC 1755.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1768 = h2718 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"." His position is just off the southwest side of this cluster.
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NGC 1769 = LMC-N11C = ESO 085-23 = LH 13
04 57 45 -66 27 48; Dor
Size 2'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large oval nebula oriented SW-NE, roughly 3'x2'. At the center is a mag 11.5 "star" (Sk -66 41), with three mag 14-14.5 companions - the closest is 15" SE (Wo 599, an O3-class star). A small, bright knot (~10" diameter) is embedded on the south side of the nebula, just 0.9' S of the central star. NGC 1769 is roughly centered within the stunning NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula) complex with showpiece NGC 1763 just 6.5' NW, NGC 1761 6' WSW, NGC 1776 6' NE, NGC 1760 8' SW and NGC 1773 7' NNE.
Sk -66 41 was once thought to be one of the most single massive and luminous stars in the LMC but it was resolved into a very compact cluster with ~15 components. The star 15" southeast (Wo 599 = O3-class) may be the ionizing source of the nebula. The 10" knot on the south side (identified as HNT 1 in SIMBAD) has also been resolved into a compact cluster of ~70 stars mag 17 and fainter.
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright HII region in a fascinating group with several clusters and nebulae. Appears fairly large, round, 2' diameter with a single mag 11 at the center. Situated 6' SE of the cluster/HII region NGC 1763 and a similar distance NNE of NGC 1760.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1769 = D 232 = h2716, along with NGC 1763 and NGC 1761, on 3 Aug 1826. He reported "a faint round nebula, about 1 1/2' in diameter." He also noted it was the smallest of the 3 nebulae. His position is 11' too far SSW, roughly matching the offsets with the other two objects.
John Herschel first observed NGC 1769 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and recorded, "B, irregularly R; 2'; has a 10th mag star in centre." On 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) he called it "vB; very suddenly much brighter middle to a 10th mag star which is double or triple. Other clusters and nebulae in field." He made a total of 5 observations.
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04 57 17.0 -68 24 39; Dor
Size 3'x2'
25" (4/4/19 - OzSky): at 244x; very impressive, bright
nebulous cluster 5' in diameter.
Unfiltered includes over two dozen stars from mag 11-14 with a few
pairs. Most of the stars are on
the north and west side and include an 11th mag star (
The entire field displayed a very strong response to a NPB filter with the nebulosity irregular and patchy and the two main nebulous patches on south side intensely bright. With careful viewing Brey 10 was surrounded by a very thin, dim arc (Wolf-Rayet bubble) of perhaps 150°, extending NW to SE of Brey 10 (opening to the NE) with a diameter of 1.5'. The SW edge of the arc was just north of (HD 268804. The arc was subtle and visible only intermittently.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC object is an interesting mix of a star cluster (OB-association LH 12) and an associated emission nebula (LMC-N91A = IC 2117), with the nebulosity mostly on the south side. A mag 10 star is near the center, along with a number of mag 11-12 and fainter stars. The stars are mostly on the north side of the nebulosity with several in small clumps.
S-L 105, located 13' SW of NGC 1770, was observed using a 25" on 17 Oct 2017. It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter. Contains a relatively large bright core but there was no resolution. An additional 6' SSW is N86, a verified LMC supernova remnant. It was picked up unfiltered as a large, low surface brightness hazy region, just south of a mag 11.8 star. A couple of 14th mag stars appear involved with the haze. There was a weak contrast gain adding a NPB filter, with the most evident section ~1' diameter [centered 1.2' S of the mag 11.8 star] and slightly brighter on the east side.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1770 = D 169 = D 168 = h2715 on 3 Aug 1826. His description of D 169 reads, "pretty bright pretty large nebula, of an irregular round figure, 5' diameter; a little brighter in the middle." His mean position (2 observations) is just off the SW side. Dunlop's D 168, from 3 Oct 1826 appears to be a duplicate observation. It was found along with D 167 = NGC 1755, but his positions were offset by 7'.
John Herschel described this nebulous cluster on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) as a "cluster of 6th class; pretty rich, large, irregular figure, brighter in the middle; stars of 11..18th mag; fine object." On 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759), he wrote "A star of 9th mag, the chief of a cluster of 6th class, 4' diameter; nebulous. The most condensed part is 1' south of the stars."
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NGC 1771 = ESO 085-027 = PGC 16472
04 58 55.7 -63 17 54; Dor
V = 13.4; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 136°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): faint, fairly
small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.3', low surface brightness, occasional
faint stellar nucleus. Two mag 12
stars are 1.7' SW and 3' SW.
Located 6' SE of mag 8.2
John Herschel discovered NGC 1771 = h2720 on 25 Dec 1837. He recorded "vF, mE, gradually little brighter middle, 25" long, in field with many B and 1 vB * 7' m np the neb." His CGH position is accurate, but he made an error precessing the coordinates to 1860 for the GC, where the position is 10' too far south. This was copied by Dreyer into the NGC.
Viewing through the 26" refractor at the Union
Observatory, Robert Innes described it in 1926 as "Exactly like the last
(
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NGC 1772 = ESO 056-33 = S-L 128
04 56 54.1 -69 33 24; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.5'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x35". Sharply concentrated with a bright, 15" core. Three faint stars are resolved on the south side of the cluster and one on the north side. Forms the southern vertex of a triangle with LMC clusters NGC 1767 9.5' NNW and NGC 1782 11' NNE, which are part of stellar association LH 8.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1772 = D 79? = h2722 on 24 Sep 1826. He noted a "small faint nebula, 10" diameter", similar to his description of nearby NGC 1782. His reduced position was 18' too far SSE, much closer to NGC 1795. But checking his drift timings, it was logged immediately preceding NGC 1782 and recorded 10' to its south, exactly matching the offset in declination. The previous object in the drift is NGC 1767, which was accurately placed 9' to the north of NGC 1772.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1772 = h2722 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "pB, S, R, 40", resolvable, preceded by a hook of stars 12th mag." On 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) he called it "an irregularly round, compact cluster, bM, 40" diameter." Robert Innes, observing with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory in 1926, described a "cluster of stars, 12 to 15 mag, irregular shape, 90" across."
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NGC 1773 = LMC-N11E = ESO 085-25 = LH 14
04 58 11 -66 21 36; Dor
Size 2.7'x2.1'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): NGC 1773 is located at the northeast end of the Bean Nebula complex with NGC 1763 centered 9' SW, NGC 1769 7' SSW and NGC 1776 5' SSE. At 264x it appeared as a fairly large, bright glow, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~2.2'x1.5'. Two brighter mag 12/13 stars (17" separation oriented SW-NE) are involved, slightly southwest of the geometric center. On close inspection the northeastern component (mag 13 0-type supergiant SK -66°43) resolved into a very close double. In additional a couple of fainter mag 15/15.5 stars are superimposed on the north side of the glow. The nebulosity (LMC-N11E) is slightly irregular in surface brightness and brighter along the rim, particularly on the southwest side.
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this HII region is the furthest NE in a group of HII regions and clusters. Appears fairly faint, fairly small, 1'-1.5' diameter with a couple of stars or a knot near the center. Located 9' ENE of NGC 1763 and a similar distance NNE of NGC 1769.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1773 = h2721 on 3 Jan 1837 and described as "pF, pL, irregularly R with two or three bright stars." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1774 = ESO 085-026 = S-L 141
04 58 07 -67 14 36; Dor
V = 10.8; Size 1.8'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): very bright, moderately large, roundish, ~45" diameter. Appears as a clumpy string of stars ~E-W, surrounding by unresolved haze. A couple of faint stars are resolved on either end of the string and a few very compact knots and stars "pop" in the main glow. The cluster appears on the verge of more extensive resolution though would require very high power due to its compactness. In a fairly poor star field with a mag 10.2 star 4.1' NW. NGC 1747 is 17' WNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1774 = h2723 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "B, R or oblong, pretty evidently a double star with a nebula about it." On a second sweep he called it "pF, R, pretty gradually brighter middle" and on his last sweep "vB, S, R, suddenly much brighter middle, 20" (evidently better seen.)".
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NGC 1775 = ESO 056-034 = S-L 129
04 56 53 -70 25 48; Men
V = 12.6; Size 0.7'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, elongated ~E-W, 35" diameter, mottled. A couple of mag 16-16.5 stars occasionally resolved around the edges. A mag 14 star is 0.9' NW. The unresolved background glow of the LMC is remarkable just to the east. NGC 1754 lies 13' W and NGC 1766 is 13' NNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1775 = h2725 on 12 Nov 1836 and logged "vvF, irreg R; 2'." His position is just off the east side of this 1' cluster.
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NGC 1776 = ESO 085-028 = S-L 145
04 58 40 -66 25 48; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 1.1'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): located on the east side of the NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula) complex, this cluster is moderately bright, fairly small, well concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a 50" halo. A couple of extremely faint stars are just visible in the halo. Located 5' SE of emission nebula NGC 1773, 6' ENE of emission nebula NGC 1769 and 2.7' NE of a mag 10.8 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1776 = h2724 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle." His position is accurate.
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04 55 48 -74 17 06; Men
V = 12.8; Size 2.1'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly small, irregular shape, 45" diameter. Two mag 11.2/11.5 stars = HJ 3722 at 31" separation are superimposed on the east side of the glow! Only a couple of mag 16 stars pop around the edges of the mottled glow. Mag 12.5 and 13 stars lies 2.2' SE and 1.7' NW and a brighter mag 10.6 star is 3.6' N. Located 38' N of mag 5.5 Eta Mensae.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1777 = h2728 on 11 Nov 1836 and reported "eF, E, attached to and following a double star [of 9th magnitude]." His CGH position is exactly 1 min of RA west of this cluster, but the identification is certain. The wide double star, though, is east and southeast of the core and this error was corrected by JH in the GC.
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05 08 06 +37 01 24; Aur
V = 7.7; Size 7'
17.5" (2/1/92): about 50 stars mag 10-15 in a 15' field. Most stars are arranged in two rows oriented NW-SE with a dark lane between. Fairly scattered overall, includes several double stars. There is a nice double star 10/10 at 15" with two mag 13 stars near and 4' SE is a close striking double star HJ 3266 = 9.9/11.1 at 8". A fairly rich clump is at the SE end of cluster.
8": 20 stars mag 10 and fainter in a 6' field, small, elongated NW-SE, nice double star 10/10. Includes a string of mag 10-11 star to the north.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1778 = H. VIII-61 = h344 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693) and noted "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, irr F, not rich, like a forming one." His position is off the SW side of the cluster. On 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399), John Herschel described "a double star in a pretty close cluster of 20 or 30 stars." His position was 20' too far north, but he corrected the NPD in a short errata list at the end of his Slough catalogue and the GC has the correct position.
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05 05 18.0 -09 08 50; Eri
V = 12.1; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135°
24" (12/20/17): moderately bright, slightly elongated,
~40"x30" NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that
increases right down to a stellar nucleus. A very low surface brightness halo increasing the
diameter to ~1.25' was difficult.
17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small. Contains a small, well-defined, fairly bright oval core that's elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very faint oval halo.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1779 = H. III-500 = h345 = h2714 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and called it "cF, S, irr F, bM.". John Herschel observed this galaxy both from Slough and in the Cape of Good Hope. His CGH observation reads "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, it is visible in strong moonlight and is much brighter than II.522 [NGC 1636] or III.399 [NGC 4163]."
Joseph Turner made sketches on 19 Dec. 1876 and 6 Dec 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 25 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...") In 1882 he noted, "The nebula becomes gradually brighter towards the middle, not suddenly as shown in the lithograph."
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05 06 20.7 -19 28 00; Lep
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 84°
17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is 1.4' NNE.
Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1780 = LM 1-145 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
is 1.6 min of RA west and 1' north of
Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 27 Jan 1906 (date measured) and listed it as J. 1523 in his unpublished 4th catalogue. His description reads "faint, very small, round, 15" to 20", core of mag 14 to 15."
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05 07 55.0 -18 11 24; Lep
See observing notes for
William Herschel discovered NGC 1781 = H. III-268 on 6 Feb
1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar, 240 verified it beyond
doubt." There was a confusion
in the reference star on the sweep and Auwers' position (used by JH in the GC
and Dreyer in the NGC) is 3.0 min of RA too far west. Caroline Herschel's reduced position matches
Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy 100 years
later on 11 Dec 1885, recording it in LM 1-146, but his rough position (nearest
min of RA) was 1 min too far west.
His sketch (examined by Corwin) clearly establishes the
equivalence. Dreyer assumed it was
new and it received the designation NGC 1794. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the
Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, was unable to find NGC 1781 on two nights,
though measured NGC 1794. He noted
the similar descriptions and difference in RA, and concluded NGC 1781 = NGC
1794. Dreyer repeats this in the
IC 2 Notes. In this case, NGC 1781
should takes historical precedence.
RNGC misidentifies
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NGC 1782 = ESO 056-36 = S-L 140
04 57 51.5 -69 23 38; Dor
V = 10.5; Size 1.2'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed at 228x, this bright LMC cluster was fairly small, round, 40" diameter, strongly concentrated with a bright 15" core. Several faint stars huddle very near or are resolved around the edges. NGC 1782 forms the NE vertex of a triangle with two other LMC clusters - NGC 1767 7.4' W and NGC 1772 11' SSE. Located on the east side of stellar association LH 8, which contains these clusters.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1782 = D 115 = h2727 on 24 Sep 1826. He noted a "small faint nebula, 10" or 12" [diameter]." His reduced position was 15' too far SSE, closer to other clusters. But checking his drift timings, it was logged 7 minutes preceding NGC 1835 and 2' to its north. That offset falls within 2' of NGC 1782.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1782 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) and described "B, R, pretty much brighter middle, 35", resolvable." His position is accurate.
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04 59 08.9 -65 59 14; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 3'
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x; Intensely bright LMC cluster! Very large, roundish, 2.5'-3' diameter, highly concentrationed with a large, brilliant core that gradually increases towards the center. At 429x; very granular or mottled appearance. A number of extremely faint stars and/or clumps of stars (too many to count) popped in and out of visibility.
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly
large, round, 2.0' diameter, fairly smooth surface brightness. Appears to be a globular cluster as it
is well-detached in the field with a fairly crisply defined edge, increasing to
a brighter 1' core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1783 = h2726 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "pB, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 2'." On a second sweep he called it "B, L, R, vgpmbM, resolvable 3'."
James Dunlop probably made an earlier unpublished discovery on 6 Nov 1826. After his entry for D 233 = NGC 1805, he states "a small nebula precedes this about 2 minutes in RA and 8' north". The actual offset is 3 minutes in RA west and 7.5' north.
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05 05 27.0 -11 52 18; Lep
V = 11.7; Size 4.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 105°
17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, moderately large,
oval 3:2 ~E-W, bright core.
Situated in a group of brighter stars including a mag 11.5 star 3.0' E
and a mag 12.5 star 1.3' N of center.
Located 14' SE of mag 7.5
8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, diffuse. A mag 7 star is in the field to the NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1784 = h2719 on 11 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB, pL, irregularly round, or vlE, very gradually brighter middle, 80", among pB stars." His position is accurate. Joseph Turner, observing with the 48" GMT on 6 Dec 1877, sketched it as very elongated E-W (p. 156 in logbook) and Ralph Copeland, observing with 72" on 19 Dec 1873 called it "pB, L, irr E. The brighter part is much elongated 90°." The elongated part is the central bar.
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04 58 45.4 -68 49 24; Dor
Size 3.5'
18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): asterism of 8 stars superimposed on the LMC. It includes two mag 11/11.7 stars at the northeast end and a roughly 9" pair of mag 12/12.5 stars at the southwest end. BSDL 375, a very faint nebulous patch, was noticed 2' following the two stars at the northeast end of NGC 1785. One or two mag 15 stars were resolved on the south side of the glow.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1785 between Nov 1836 and Mar
1837 with a 5-inch refractor and included it as #147 in his preliminary
catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula
Major." No description was given
but his position is 04 58 33 -68 51.3 (J2000). ESO lists two possible candidates:
In "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L] Eric Lindsay states, "Not found. A few bright widely scattered stars NE but no cluster or nebula. There is a bright cluster, S/L 116, 2m W 3' N and a conspicuous one, S/L 117, 2m W and 7' S, neither in the NGC. The object is in the Nub. Cat. only classified as a nebula." RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies this number as nonexistent.
Based on Herschel's position and his LMC sketch, Corwin identified NGC 1785 with asterism of about 5 stars superposed on the LMC (ESO 56-**38). This is the first of the ESO candidates.
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NGC 1786 = ESO 056-039 = S-L 149
04 59 08.0 -67 44 43; Dor
V = 10.9; Size 1.2'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): exceptionally bright, relatively large, round, 45" diameter, extremely high surface bright core. A mag 11-12 star is superimposed just northwest of the core! KMHK 412 was picked up as a very faint glow 6.5' SE and just north of two mag 13 stars. NGC 1786 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1786 = h2729 on 26 Nov 1834 and logged "vB, E, S. Stellar, like a star 9th mag blurred." On the second of 3 sweeps it was called "vB, R, very suddenly much brighter middle, 30"."
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05 00 07 -65 45 48; Dor
V = 10.9; Size 23'
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): large cloud of stars (association LH 15), 15'-20' in size, over an extensive haze of unresolved stars. 40 to 50 mag 11-13 stars were visible at 105x within the cluster. NGC 1783 is located 15' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1787 = h2731 in the LMC on 25 Dec 1837. His single observation placed this cluster at 05 00 17.3 -65 50 33 (2000) and his description "p Rich cl of S stars which fills field" appears to describe the entire 20'-25' stellar association HW 15, which includes NGC 1783 and SL 178.
The RNGC and NGC 2000.0 position 04 59.1 -65 44 (2000) from Lucke and Hodge's "A Catalogue of Stellar Associations in the Large Magellanic Cloud", AJ, 75, 171-175, corresponds with the northwest portion of the association. The Hodge-Wright Atlas identifies NGC 1787 = S-L 178 at 05 01 44 -65 49.4, on the east side of the association, and ESO and Morel's Visual Atlas of the LMC follows this misidentification. Shapley & Lindsay did not equate S-L 178 with NGC 1787.
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NGC 1788 = LBN 916 = Ced 40 = Bernes 98
05 06 53.2 -03 20 27; Ori
Size 8'x5'
18" (1/1/08): very interesting, bright reflection nebula at 175x. Two brighter stars are involved in the brightest portion of the nebula with a mag 10 star (very unequal double) at the NW end. An oval glow extends ~4'x2.5' to the SE and contains a bright "knot" that surrounds a mag 11.5 star on the SE side. Two fainter stars are embedded within the glow and form a rhombus with the brighter stars at opposite ends. The SW edge of the main body has a sharper edge (due to dust). Surrounding this region are faint extensions that significantly increase the total size to ~8x6'. Towards the SE, dim haze can be seen as far as a 2' pair of mag 12.5 stars. Broad, wispy extensions appears to feather off to the NE for ~6' with additional faint haze to the south. The entire complex is bounded by several mag 8-9 stars forming a striking star field.
17.5" (2/9/02): at 144x this is a bright reflection nebula involving two mag 10 and 11.5 stars. The nebulosity is irregularly bright in a 4'x3' region elongated NW-SE and locally very bright in a knot surrounding the mag 11.5 star near the SE end. Enhanced by a Deep Sky filter at low power. The brighter mag 10 star ~2' NW has a faint companion and is also encased in the glow as well as a couple of other fainter stars. A faint extension fans out to the NE from the mag 11 star and some haze is suspected to the south, increasing the size to ~7' and involving a few additional stars. NGC 1788 is located within a bright trapezoid consisting of three mag 8.5-9 stars and a mag 10 star (sides of 9'-13')
17.5" (12/23/89): bright, fairly large, locally very bright surrounding a mag 12 star on the south end. This star appears slightly nonstellar as difficult to separate from bright haze. Extends NW to include a mag 10 star and three other faint stars are involved in the brightest portion. Very faint nebulosity also extends to north and further east.
8" (12/6/80): moderately bright reflection nebula, large, brightest in center, two stars involved, extends to east.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1788 = H. V-32 = h347 = Sw. 2-30 = Sw. 7-9 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). His description reads, "considerably bright, very large, milky, diffused and vanishing, very near and sf a bright star, the milkiness diffused and vanishing." On 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he recorded "very large, milky; seems to have some untied stars towards the southern part of it; some other stars are in it, but plainly unconnected. 3 or 4' dia. vF except about the united stars."
On 11 Feb 1830 (sweep 233) John Herschel described NGC 1788 as "A *10m with a neb south-following; pos 138 from *; the centre of the neb is like a misty *12 or 13m, or perhaps 2 or 3 st 15m; a small * to the south of neb makes an isosceles triangle. Place that of the *10m." This reflection nebula was observed 21 times at Birr Castle beginning in 1849 (the 1880 publication lists 10 of these).
Lewis Swift found this reflection nebula on 24 Nov 1884 and apparently felt that nebulosity surrounding the 10th mag star on the west side was distinct from Herschel's nebulosity, reporting it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#30) and his 7th list (#9).
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04 57 51 -71 54 06; Men
V = 13.1; Size 1.5'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~45" diameter. A couple of mag 15.5 stars are resolved, one near the west end and another on the northeast side. Situated on the southwest end of the LMC, with no other significant LMC clusters in the immediate vicinity, though S-L 111 lies 30' NNW. The description below of S-L 111 was made on 10/17/17 using a 25" f/5.
At 244x; easily identified as a partially resolved large
cluster, elongated E-W and at least 2' diameter. A mag 11.2 star is off the south side. At 397x; a total of ~15 stars were
resolved, mostly in the mag 15+ range.
The cluster is situated 6.8' S of mag 9.4
John Herschel discovered NGC 1789 = h2733 on 15 Dec 1835 and called it "vF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"." His position is about 40" too far north.
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05 11 13.3 +52 03 54; Aur
18" (2/19/09): scattered, unimpressive group of 15
stars mag 11.5 and brighter in an elongated 15'x8' region. The main body of stars is extended
~E-W. A small group of stars is
detached off the NW side, including a mag 10 star and an easy 14"
pair. At the east end is a small
clump of 4 stars (one very faint) just following mag 9.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1790 = h346 on 16 Feb 1831
(sweep 327) and described "A group of 8 or 9 stars 10m, nearly in
parallelogram. A pretty
object." His position corresponds
with mag 9
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04 59 07 -70 10 06; Men
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright
cluster, irregular, ~1' diameter, several mag 14-15 stars are resolved in the
core and one on the northwest end.
The cluster is situated in the center of an equilateral triangle
consisting of mag 8.7
S-L 158 appeared as a bright, compact knot (cluster), round, 20" diameter, with a surprisingly high surface brightness. LMC-N186, an incomplete, faint annulus of nebulosity (Superbubble) passes through NGC 1791, but I didn't examine the region with a filter to look for nebulous haze.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1791 = h2734 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "eF, R; 25"." His single position is very accurate.
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05 05 14.0 -37 58 47; Col
V = 10.2; Size 5.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 137°
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x appears as a
bright, large oval ~2:1 NW-SE, 3.2'x1.6'.
Broad concentration to a large bright core and then sharply concentrated
with a bright, 15" nucleus.
The surface brightness is irregular with a mottled texture. A faint star is just preceding the
northwest tip. At 166x the galaxy
appears brighter along the major axis with some areas of lower surface
brightness giving a hint of spiral structure! A mag 14 star is at the preceding edge [1.2' from center]. Brightest in a group (LGG 127) along
with
17.5" (1/31/87): bright, large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 3'x1.5', pretty diffuse. Two faint mag 14.5 stars are superimposed. Appears brighter along the western side.
8" (1/1/84): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated.
8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, round, moderately large, diffuse.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1792 = D 531 = h2730 on 4 Oct 1826 and described "a long or rather elliptical nebula, about 2' long and 50" broad, a little brighter in the middle, and well defined. There is a group of small stars on the north side."
John Herschel recorded 3 observations in the Cape Catalogue: on his first sweep on 24 Dec 1835 (sweep 659) he logged "vB, vL, vmE, gradually brighter in the middle, 4' long. Taken as Dunlop 531 but too late for transit, the observation having been missed by relying on Mr Dunlop's place." Then 2 nights later (sweep 661) he revisited this galaxy and noted "vB, vL, mE, gradually little brighter middle, 5' long, 2' broad, pos 314°, stars seen in it. Visible with moonlight and lamp illumination".
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04 59 38.7 -69 33 28; Dor
V = 12.4; Size 1.3'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
228x, this LMC open cluster appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round,
35" diameter with an even surface brightness and no sign of
resolution. A triangle of mag 11
stars is preceding in the field.
Forms a pair with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1793 = h2736 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, 1'." On a second sweep he logged "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30", insulated." His mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.
Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster, along with NGC 1801, on 2 Jan 1886 with the Melbourne telescope. His diagram shows the cluster elongated NW to SE, which matches the DSS image.
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NGC 1794 = NGC 1781 = ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002 = PGC 16788
05 07 55.0 -18 11 24; Lep
V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 45°
17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, bright
core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14
star is 1.2' SSE of center.
Located 10' SW of mag 8.0
Ormond Stone found NGC 1794 = LM 1-146 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Stone's rough position is 1 min of RA west of ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002. At the end of the second discovery list there is a note that LM 1-146 = GC 998 = NGC 1781.
William Herschel discovered this galaxy 100 years earlier (cataloged as H. III-268) but Herschel's RA was 3.0 minutes too small (corrected by Caroline Herschel). ESO 553-007 is labeled NGC 1781 in the Uranometria 2000 Atlas but as NGC 1794 in MCG and RC3. By historical precedence, the primary designation should be NGC 1781.
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NGC 1795 = ESO 056-044 = S-L 165
04 59 47.3 -69 48 06; Dor
V = 12.4; Size 1.6'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright cluster, relatively large, 0.9' diameter, fairly smooth glow with no resolution. Located 2.9' ENE of a mag 10.5 star. This star forms the northern vertex of a distinctive isosceles triangle (legs 3.5' and base 1.4') with two mag 10.2 and 11 stars to its south.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1795 = D 82 = h2738 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded D 82 as "a very small faint nebula preceding 3 small stars in the form of a triangle." A distinctive triangle of mag 10-11 star is nearby, including the mag 10.6 star and two mag 10.2 and 11.1 stars about 4' S, though the cluster is slightly east. He may have observed it the drift through the area three nights later, but his positions are more ambiguous.
John Herschel made a single observation on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 749) and recorded "F, pL, lE, 2'."
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NGC 1796 = ESO 119-030 = PGC 16617
05 02 43.0 -61 08 22; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 102°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.45', broad concentration, brighter core. A mag 10/11.5 pair at 9" lies 10' SSE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1796 = h2735 on 26 Dec 1834 and called it "F, pmE, gradually brighter in the middle, 7" long, 25" broad." His position (2 observations) and description matches.
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05 07 44.9 -08 01 07; Eri
V = 14.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 90°
17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round, very
faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13
star is just 48" NW of center.
Forms a pair with
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1797 = Sw. 6-23, along with NGC 1799, on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate.
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05 11 40 +47 40 37; Aur
Size 5'
18" (11/18/06): at 115x I was surprised to find a fairly rich group of perhaps 20 stars peppered over a 5' region of extensive haze. The low power Milky Way field is rich in bright and faint stars with glowing regions of unresolved stars. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1798 in Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt University. In Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5 (page 25) he described a "small hazy spot, with high power (120) seems to be some faint stars mixed up with nebulosity, a small star involved f[ollowing]. It is followed some little distance by a 9th magnitude star." His position corresponds with a 5' group of stars, also catalogued as Berkeley 16. The RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent.
This cluster is located in the direction of the anti-galactic center at a distance of 4.2 kpc and an estimated age of 1.4 billion years.
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NGC 1799 = MCG -01-14-001 = PGC 16783
05 07 44.5 -07 58 08; Eri
V = 14.3; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 65°
17.5" (12/7/90): faint, small, round, bright core. This galaxy is the brighter of two with NGC 1797 3' S.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1799 = Sw. 6-24, along with NGC 1797, on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His RA was 8 seconds too large.
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05 06 25.5 -31 57 16; Col
V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 113°
13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE,
even surface brightness. A mag 13
star is off the NE edge 1.3' from center.
Brightest in a small group (LGG 108), along with UGCA 103 and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1800 = h2732 on 19 Nov 1835 and described it as "pB, pmE, gradually pretty much brighter middle, has a star 13th mag following." His position and description is accurate.
Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 2 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope. His sketch indicates a 13th magnitude "star" at the NW tip. At this position is a relatively large bright HII knot.
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NGC 1801 = ESO 056-045 = S-L 170
05 00 35.3 -69 36 50; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 2.2'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
128x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, round, 1' diameter with a
fairly even surface brightness and no core. Located 8' SW mag 8
John Herschel discovered NGC 1801 = h2739 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and reported "B, L, R, very gradually brighter middle, 2.5'." On 3 subsequent sweeps he variously described the size as 90", 45" and 40". Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos, observing with the 26-inch refactor of the Union Observatory in 1926, called this object a "globular cluster, 13 mag and fainter stars, 90" diameter, bM."
James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster on 27 Sep 1826. He described it as "a faint round nebula, 20-25" diameter." In the drift it was picked up ~16 minutes prior to logging D 88 = NGC 1898 and at nearly the same position north of center in the eyepiece field. NGC 1801 matches this offset in time, as well as NGC 1795.
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05 10 13 +24 08 24; Tau
Size 25'
18" (11/18/06): at 115x this Milky Way field appears as a bright, large, scattered group including a couple of dozen mag 10-11 stars. Most distinctive is a fairly rich 5' string of mag 10 to 13 stars oriented N-S. The rest of the group is scattered and extends east and southeast ~10' in size.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1802 = H. VIII-41 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 485) and recorded "a coarse cluster of star or projecting point of the milky way." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "many st, v sc, no distinct cl." RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent but WEBDA has a listing for NGC 1802.
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05 05 26.5 -49 34 04; Pic
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 62°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 30"x24", fairly high surface brightness. NGC 1803 is situated 4.7' ENE of mag 5.0 Eta-2 Pictoris and the bright glare of the star hampered the observation.
Forms a close pair with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1803 = h2737 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, very gradually little brighter middle; query whether a star 11..12th mag near it S.f. be not also nebulous." Herschel's object south-following is likely ESO 203-019, located 2.2' southeast, which did not receive a NGC designation (Steinicke concurs).
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05 01 03 -69 05 00; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 0.9'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very small bright knot, ~25"-30" diameter, with four or more mag 12-14.5 stars resolved including three on a NW to SE line. Tightly packed into a very high surface brightness glow. S-L 180 lies 4' NE and appeared as a fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.5' diameter, soft glow with no resolution.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1804 = h2742 on 3 Nov 1834 and described "F (?), R, bM (Thick haze in sky)". On a second sweep his description reads "F, S, R, 30". Shapley and Lindsay (1963) give a diameter of 25'' and remark "few stars, partly condensed."
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NGC 1805 = ESO 085-32 = S-L 186
05 02 21.7 -66 06 42; Dor
V = 10.6; Size 2.2'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright,
fairly small, brilliant core, 30" diameter. A mag 13 star is situated just off the NW side, 25"
from center. The core is oddly
displaced off-center in the direction of this star. A few faint stars are resolved in the halo and a mag 13.5
star is at the south edge. NGC
1783 lies 20' WNW and
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, small, 25" diameter, sharply concentrated with a quasi-stellar bright nucleus. A mag 13 star is at the NW edge (24" from center). This is a well-studied young (40 million years old) LMC star cluster. Located 20' ESE of NGC 1783.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1805 = D 233 = h2741 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round well-defined nebula, 10" or 12" diameter". His position is 6' SSW of the cluster, within his usual errors.
John Herschel made 5 observations, the first on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) in which he recorded "a vS compact cluster of stars 11th mag with (?) nebulosity, 20"." On 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761) he described it as "B, S, R, suddenly brighter in the middle, 25", has two stars very near, one NW and one SE." The two closest stars are oriented WSW of NGC 1805 and ENE
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05 02 11 -67 59 00; Dor
V = 11.1; Size 2.2'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very
bright LMC globular, large, round, at least 1.5' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a brighter,
grainy 25" core and a slightly mottled halo. Located 4.5' NE of mag 8.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1806 = h2745 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as"pB, L, gradually brighter in the middle, 3'." His position and description is accurate, though his estimate is a little too large.
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05 10 45 +16 30 48; Tau
V = 7.0; Size 17'
18" (1/26/09): this asterism contains a very faint
galaxy,
17.5" (2/1/92): bright, moderately large, striking group of 30 stars mag 9-14 in 12' including 10 stars mag 11 or brighter. Five bright stars are in an 11' string oriented N-S. The central star in this string is a pleasing, close double star HJ 3268; consisting of mag 9.5/10.5 stars at 10" separation. This double is collinear with two mag 11 stars 1.3' E and 2.9' E oriented perpendicular to the string. Several other members trail to SW, and form a cross asterism.
8": ~25 stars in cluster including 10-12 brighter stars, several almost collinear. A double star (HJ 3268) mag 10/11 at 10" separation is near the center. Forms a pair of open clusters with NGC 1817 25' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1807 = h348 on 25 Jan 1832
(sweep 395) and logged, "a cluster of 10 or 12 large and a good many small
stars. The place that of a double
star." It is perhaps an
outlier of VII.4 (
A 2004 study ("uvby-H-beta CCD photometry of NGC 1817 and NGC 1807") concludes NGC 1807 is not a distinct cluster. Only NGC 1817, a very extended open cluster, covers the area.
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NGC 1808 = ESO 305-008 = AM 0505-373 = MCG -06-12-005 = LGG 127-002 = PGC 16779
05 07 42.3 -37 30 47; Col
V = 9.9; Size 6.5'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 133°
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this 105x this striking starburst galaxy appeared bright, large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 5'x1.3'. The glow is sharply concentrated with a well-defined 20" core that brightens to a stellar nucleus. There appears to be an irregular extension at the northwest end that brightens and is offset to the major axis [on photos this corresponds with the start of a spiral arm that is attached at the north edge of the NW end of the galaxy]. At 166x, the halo is irregular and mottled. Brightest in a group (LGG 127) along with NGC 1792 40' SW and the galaxies may have experienced a tidal interaction in the past.
17.5" (1/31/87): bright, fairly large, small elongated core, long thin arms 4:1 NW-SE. A mag 14 star is off the NW end. This is a very pleasing galaxy.
8" (1/1/84): fairly bright, elongated NW-SE, moderately large, bright core. Similar in size to NGC 1792 but slightly fainter.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1808 = D 549 = D 532 = h2740 on 10 May 1826. Based on two observations he described "a faint nebula, about 2.5' long, and fully 1' broad, extended S.p. and N.f.; a very minute star near each extremity, not involved." D 532 is another observation and he noted it was very similar to D 531 = NGC 1792 (observed together), but he made a large error (nearly 40') in declination.
John Herschel made two observations from the Cape. On 24 Dec 1835 (sweep 659) he logged "B, L, lE, first gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle. Transit missed, PD very rough" Two nights later (sweep 661) he reobserved it and noted "B, E, 3' long, 1.5' broad; in a field strongly illuminated by the moon in her first quarter."
Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1808 on 19 Dec 1876 through the 48" GMT with a very bright, elongated core on 19 Dec. 1876 (plate III, figure 26 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae..."). On 10 Dec 1884, Baracchi described NGC 1808 as ""Bright, very much elongated, suddenly much brighter middle, to a bright, sharp elongated nucleus, like a long dash. Nebula soft-edged. Fades away very gradually into pointed ends. Nucleus not quite in the axis of nebula."
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NGC 1809 = ESO 056-048 = PGC 16599
05 02 05.0 -69 34 06; Dor
V = 12.1; Size 3.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 143°
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
faint, reddened galaxy shines through the LMC in the same field 9' NE of the
LMC cluster NGC 1801 and 16'-18' SW of a trio of clusters consisting of NGC
1828,
John Herschel discovered NGC 1809 = h2747 on 23 Dec 1834 and
recorded (one one sweep only) "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle,
40", the second of two in field [with NGC 1801 = h2739]." His position is 4' south of
Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], commented "At the same RA but 4' N an object which may be a galaxy, 210'' x 50''. In "Exploring the Southern Sky" (1987), the authors (Laustsen, Madsen and West) noted "It has been known for more than a century, and for a long time was believed to belong to the LMC. However, less than a decade ago, it became possible to measure the radial velocity...Somewhat unexpectedly, the velocity was found to be 1000 km/s, or several times larger than the velocities of stars and other LMC nebulae..."
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05 03 23.1 -66 22 56; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 1.2'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright
cluster, fairly small, 45" diameter, partially resolved with 4 or 5 stars
visible on the east side of the halo including a couple of mag 13.5-14
stars. Located 2.6' ESE of mag
10.3
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1810 = D 235 = h2746 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula." He made a single observation and his position is 11' south-southeast of the cluster. It's also possible that this observation refers to brighter NGC 1818 -- along with D 234 and D236, though the latter two are placed south of D 235, agreeing with orientation of NGC 1810 and 1818.
JH made a total of 5 observations beginning on 6 Nov 1834. In order of his observations, he logged "eF, S, R, 15", precedes a globular cluster.", "vF, R, little brighter middle, 40 arcsec", "F, S, R", "pF, R, little brighter middle, 25 arcsec" and "Nebula; no description but that it has a globular cluster following it." The cluster he refers to is NGC 1818 and Herschel attributed Dunlop's 235 with the discovery.
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05 08 42.6 -29 16 35; Col
V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 60°
17.5" (1/19/91): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE. A mag 13 star is 1.4' ENE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 1812 2.7' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1811 = h2743 (along with NGC
1812 = h2744) on 6 Nov 1834 and logged as "vF, E." On a later sweep he recorded "pF;
S; lE; the preceding of two [with
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NGC 1812 = ESO 422-039 = MCG -05-13-009 = PGC 16819
05 08 52.9 -29 15 04; Col
V = 12.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 8°
17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 N-S, moderate concentration, very small bright core. A mag 13 star lies 1.4' SW. Forms a close pair with NGC 1811 2.7' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1812 = h2744 (along with NGC 1811 = h2743] on 6 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"; the following of 2." His position is accurate.
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05 02 40 -70 19 06; Men
V = 12.8; Size 0.8'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): first in a string
of three clusters with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1813 = h2752 on 16 Dec 1835 and observed on a single sweep. His description reads "vF; S; R; r" and his position is just 0.1 tmin preceding the center of the cluster.
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05 03 46.4 -67 18 04; Dor
V = 12.8; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
bright, small, elongated N-S "knot" of stars on the west side of the
LMC association
John Herschel discovered NGC 1814 = h2748 on 2 Nov 1834 and described as "The southern of two nebulae [with NGC 1816] in the same cluster of stars [NGC 1820]." On a second sweep his description reads "vF, R, a nebulous knot in the south preceding part of a cluster".
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05 02 27 -70 37 18; Men
V = 12.4; Size 1.2'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright,
small, round, very bright core partially resolved into a couple of knots,
25" diameter. A single faint
star is resolved at the north edge.
A mag 12.5 star lies 1' SSE and several mag 11-12 stars are in the
field. Located 9' due east of mag
7.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1815 = h2753 on 24 Nov 1834 and described as "pF, vS, R, very little brighter middle, among many stars." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1816 = ESO 085-037 = S-L 199
05 03 51 -67 15 36; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): small, brighter "knot" on the west side of the LMC association NGC 1820 = LH 19. At 200x, a couple of stars are resolved within the 18" glow. Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 1814 2.5' SSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1816 = h2748 on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF, R, another nebulous knot [along with NGC 1814] in the cluster [NGC 1820]". Shapley and Lindsay (1963) group NGC 1814, 1816 and NGC 1820 together and note "bright scattered stars in nebulosity", with a size of 6.8' x 4.5'.
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NGC 1817 = Cr 60 = OCL-463 = Lund 156
05 12 26 +16 41 06; Tau
V = 7.7; Size 16'
17.5" (2/11/96): large, roundish group of ~100 stars in a 15' diameter. The three brightest mag 8/9 stars lie on the west side. This trio is part of a 7' arc of 15 stars elongated N-S sharply defining the preceding side of the group. The cluster is fairly well detached except at the east side which merges into the general field density. About 5' NW of the trio described above is an unequal double h3269 = 8.6/10.6 at 20", though it appears detached from the main group. 25' SW is the bright, striking group NGC 1807 which has a cruciform outline.
8": about 65 stars in 15'-20' diameter, large, fairly rich, many faint stars. Includes three brighter stars on the west side including a mag 8.5 star. Forms a poor version of the "Double cluster" with NGC 1807 25' SW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1817 = H. VII-4 = h349 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 147). He recorded "a cluster of stars, ccattered and of very different magnitudes. They take up a space of about 20' and the cluster is coarsely circular. The weather is very indifferent so that the small stars are not very well to be seen; but I suppose there cannot be less than 150 that I might count at present." On 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 292), he reported "a cl of stars about 20 or 25' diameter, pretty rich, the stars not very small, nor very compressed." This cluster was also the only non-stellar object observed in sweep 1093 on 21 Jan 1800 -- the only sweep made during this year!
John Herschel observed the cluster on 25 Jan 1832 (sweep 395): "Large, rich cluster; stars 12...15 m; fills the field. Place that of a double star. The most compressed part is 42.5 sec following the double star and 3' south of it." The double star is HJ 3269 = 8.6/10.6 at 20".
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NGC 1818 = ESO 085-040 = S-L 201
05 04 14 -66 26 06; Dor
V = 9.7; Size 3'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, fairly large, 2.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with an intense core that is partially resolved into several very faint stars. The halo was fairly well resolved with two dozen faint stars plus some brighter mag 12-13 stars in the outer halo. Just off the southwest edge is KMHK 490, a very small non-stellar object that appeared like a close double star.
NGC 1818 is the brightest of a trio with NGC 1810 6' NW and
S-L 205 5' NE. S-L 205 is just a
faint, diffuse glow, roughly 35" diameter. NGC 1822 and
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1818 = D 236 = D 234 = D235 = h2749 on 3 Aug 1826. Dunlop apparently made observations on different nights at different positions and recorded them separately as discoveries. He described D 236 on 3 Aug 1826 as "a star with a burr or bright small small nebula about 20" diameter, very bright at the centre." He observed it twice and the published position is 3.4' ENE of center. D 234, found on 6 Nov. 1826, was described as "a round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter." His notebook position is 8' due S. Finally, D 235, found on 24 Sep 1826, was described as a "small round pretty well-defined nebula" and his position is 5.5' NNW of center!
John Herschel made 6 observations of the cluster with the first description from 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508): "vB, S, R cluster of distinct stars, mbM, 2' diameter."
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05 11 46.1 +05 12 03; Ori
V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 120°
13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright core,
elongated NW-SE. Located 12.5' S
of mag 8
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1819 = Sw. 3-35 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 10 tsec west of UGC 3265 = PGC 16899. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 6 Dec 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 1820 = ESO 085-039 = S-L 199 = LH 19
05 04 02 -67 16 00; Dor
V = 11.5; Size 8'x5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this star cloud or association (LH 19) in the LMC appears as a very large, irregular group of approximately two dozen stars mag 10-15, roughly 9'x5' and extended N-S. Includes five stars mag 12 or brighter, along with two brighter "knots" (NGC 1814 and 1816) on the west side as well as containing some irregular nebulosity (LHa120-N17).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1820 = h2754 on 2 Jan 1837 and described a "pL, rich, 6th class cluster, irregular figure, in radiating streaks. Place that of a star 10th mag (one of 3 such). It is within this cluster that the two nebulae [NGC 1814 & NGC 1816] occur."
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05 11 46.0 -15 08 04; Lep
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130°
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE,
weak concentration.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1821 = LM 1-147 on 26 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
is 45 tsec west and 1' N of
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NGC 1822 = ESO 085-042 = S-L 210
05 05 09 -66 12 36; Dor
V = 13.1; Size 0.8'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter. A single mag 14.5 star is resolved at the west edge. Forms a close pair with NGC 1826 2.8' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1822 = h2756 on 20 Dec 1835 and described as "vF, 20", the preceding of two [with NGC 1826 = h2751]." Wolfgang Steinicke credits James Dunlop with the discovery (D 235) on 24 Sep 1826, though Dunlop's position is much closer to NGC 1818, which may have multiple entries. I believe this cluster is too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop.
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NGC 1823 = ESO 056-051 = S-L 198 = LH 18
05 03 25 -70 20 06; Men
V = 12.1; Size 0.9'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright irregular cluster with 8 or 9 resolved stars within 45". Five of the resolved stars are collinear on the west side oriented ~N-S. Second of three clusters with NGC 1813 4' WNW and S-L 200 4' SSE and the surrounding field is filled with a scattering of mag 12-13 stars and a large number of fainter stars (this is the stellar association LH 18). S-L 200 is the largest of the three clusters, 1.2'x0.6' extended N-S, with several stars resolved over a hazy background or emission glow and a detached group of 4 stars off the south end.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1823 = h2758 on 12 Nov 1836 and described "The most compressed part of a pF; L; branching cluster of stars 12...15m" His position is on the southeast side of the cluster. Hodge and Lucke (1970) note this open cluster in the LMC lies within the LMC O-association No. 18; the brightest star in the cluster is 13.9 mag.
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05 06 56 -59 43 30; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 3.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 160°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): fairly
faint to moderately bright, nice edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.3'x0.5'. Weak, broad concentration to a slightly
brighter core. Located 9' NNE of
mag 7.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1824 = h2755 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, vmE, 2' long, 20" broad, pos = 162 degrees."
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05 04 19 -68 55 36; Dor
V = 12.0; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
bright, very small, round, 20" diameter, increases to a very bright
quasi-stellar nucleus but no resolution.
Located 3.5' WSW of mag 8.0
John Herschel discovered NGC 1825 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #199 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." There was no description given but his position is 1.5' NW of this LMC cluster.
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NGC 1826 = ESO 085-043 = S-L 221
05 05 34 -66 13 54; Dor
V = 13.2; Size 0.9'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): slightly brighter of a pair of small clusters with NGC 1822 2.8' NW. Appeared moderately bright, round, 45" diameter, broad weak concentration but no resolution. A mag 10.8 star lies 2.9' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1826 = h2757 on 20 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF, 20", the following of two [with NGC 1822]." Steinicke lists Dunlop as the discoverer (D 235) of this object as well as NGC 1822, though Dunlop's position is much closer to NGC 1818, which may have multiple entries. I think this pair of clusters is too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop.
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05 10 03.7 -36 57 32; Col
V = 12.5; Size 3.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 120°
17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, even surface brightness. Unusual appearance as a mag 11 star is superimposed on the east side of the center. Member of the NGC 1792/1808 group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1827 = h2751 on 28 Nov 1837 and described as "vF, vmE, a long ray through a star 11th mag." His position is 1' too far south.
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05 04 21.5 -69 23 18; Dor
V = 12.5
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): first in a trio with NGC 1830 and NGC 1835. At 228x this LMC cluster appears fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter. NGC 1830 lies 3.2' NNE and much brighter NGC 1835 is 4' ESE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1828 = h2761 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, 20"; the first of 3 [with NGC 1828, 1830 and 1835]." His position is accurate
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05 04 57 -68 03 18; Dor
V = 12.1
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
LMC cluster and HII region (LMC-N23A) appeared bright, fairly large, irregular
round, 1.5' diameter. Four stars
are within the nebulous glow including a mag 13.5, two mag 14 stars and a mag
15 star. Located 1.8' NW of mag
7.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1829 = h2760 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, R, 60", r[esolvable]." His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 1830 = ESO 056-056 = S-L 207
05 04 39 -69 20 26; Dor
V = 12.6
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): second of three in a distinctive triangle with NGC 1828 3' SSW and NGC 1835 4.6' SE. At 228x, this LMC cluster appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter and quite similar to NGC 1828. An extremely faint, very small glow (designated BRHT 3b in SIMBAD) is 1' SW, on a line towards NGC 1828 (verified on DSS).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1830 = h2762 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, 25"." He next recorded it as "the second of 3 [with NGC 1828 and 1835]." His position (observed on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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05 06 16.3 -64 55 06; Dor
V = 11.2; Size 3.9'
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly large, 1.5'-2' diameter, weak even concentration to the center. This is a rich intermediate-age LMC globular cluster.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1831 = D 246 = h2759 on 3 Aug 1826, with a second observation on 5 Nov. He described it as a "pretty well-defined round faint nebula, 25" diameter; a little brighter at the centre." and his first position was 5' due west of center.
John Herschel observed the cluster on 3 Dec 1834 (sweep 518) and called it "B; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 90"." In 1926, Robert Innes described it as a "Mag[nificent] globular cluster, 2' diameter, bM of thousands of very faint stars." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory).
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05 12 03.2 -15 41 19; Lep
V = 11.3; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 10°
24" (1/28/17): at 375x; bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 N-S, 1.6'x1.2', well concentrated with a small bright core. A mag 11 star is 1.1' E of center.
13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, bright core, slightly elongated ~N-S. A mag 11 star is 1.0' E of center. Situated 33' NNW of mag 3.3 Mu Leporis.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1832 = H. II-292 on 4 Feb
1785 (sweep 365) and reported "pB, irr R, mbM, south-preceding a pretty
considerable star and within a minute of it." His position is 2.3' SE of
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05 04 22 -70 43 54; Men
V = 11.7; Size 2'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; fairly large nebulous
patch 1.5' diameter with a mag 13.4 star near the center and a half-dozen
additional stars resolved. The
nebulosity had a fair response using the NPB filter with a brighter piece on
the northeast side and a 2' irregular shape. Located at the south end of the huge
John Herschel discovered NGC 1833 = h2765 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; pL; runs into and forms the first mass of a series of clustering groups." His position is accurate. Located within stellar association LH 24.
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05 05 12.2 -69 12 27; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 20"
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): bright, small, round, thin halo, just 20" diameter, mottled but no resolution. Located 2.8' SE of mag 9.3 HD 33487. NGC 1834 (and nearby clusters NGC 1828 and 1830) is 12' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1834 = h2764 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded (single sweep) "B, vvS, lE, uniform in light, 10" across." His position is 30" S of this compact cluster. The NGC description added the query "Planetary?" On the DSS, this object appears to be an extremely compact cluster, though perhaps a brighter star is superimposed.
Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in
the Large Magellanic Cloud", comments "A fairly bright star blended
with two faint ones. Questioned as a planetary nebula in the NGC. Prism plates
show a fairly strong continuum only, and it is probably an early-type
star." RNGC follows Lindsay
and misidentifies NGC 1834 as a triple star. Hodge and Wright note that it "may
only be a bright star in a rich field". The ESO records it as a globular cluster (
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NGC 1835 = ESO 056-058 = S-L 215
05 05 06 -69 24 18; Dor
V = 10.2; Size 1.2'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): brightest of three clusters with NGC 1828 4' W and NGC 1830 4.6' NW. At 228x, this LMC globular cluster appears bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, strongly concentrated with a small bright core. This object has a very symmetrical appearance with a high surface brightness like a compact globular cluster. NGC 1834 lies 12' N.
NGC 1835 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. It has the highest known number (84) of RR Lyr variables in the LMC and is the brightest and most elliptical of the classic globulars.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1835 = D 116 = h2763 on 24 Sep
1826 (second drift). He described
"a small round well-defined nebula, rather bright towards the centre
(considerably condensed), 15" diameter." His reduced position was 15'
too far SSE, but his drift offset from
John Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) and recorded "vB, S, R, pretty much brighter middle; 40"; the last of three [with NGC 1828 and 1830]." Herschel didn't associate D 116 with this cluster, probably due to his poor position. This cluster is missing from the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas although it includes nearby NGC 1828 and 1830.
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05 05 35 -68 37 42; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 1.5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
bright LMC cluster, relatively large, high surface brightness, very elongated
NW-SE, 1.2'x0.4'. The dominant
portion of the cluster is on the NW end and appears bright, roundish,
25"-30" diameter with a few stars resolved just outside the glow. A
14th magnitude star is off the SE side and connects to a small knot (BRHT 4b) containing a very tight
string of 15th magnitude stars.
Forms a striking pair with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1836 = h2766 on 23 Nov 1834 (along with NGC 1839 = h2768), though no description or position was given. On his second sweep (30 Dec 1836) he noted "the first nucleus of a clustering group of mixed stars and nebulosity." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1837 = ESO 056-059 = S-L 217 = LH 24
05 04 56 -70 42 54; Men
V = 10.6; Size 1.3'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; this cluster is primarily a very elongated N-S string of stars with some unresolved haze. There was no filter response. A few brighter mag 12.5-13 stars are involved with a total of a dozen in the 1.2' string. NGC 1837 forms a 3' pair with NGC 1833 to the west-southwest. A star cloud extends to the north with several mag 12 stars, along with many faint stars in the wider field. This magnificent association (LH 26) is rich in bright and faint stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1837 = h2769 on 3 Nov 1834. He observed this cluster on two sweeps and recorded it as "The last of three clustering groups (hazy)" and "the most condensed part of a large rich cluster of scattered stars which more than fills field." Archinal notes that brightest star is at 05 04 56.8 -70 42 57, close to Herschel's second position. It is not clear what other two objects he was referring to in the first sweep as only NGC 1833 is in the same field, though the star cloud (stellar association LH 24) containing these clusters extends to the northeast.
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05 06 47 -68 25 42; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 10'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): excellent scattered
cluster/association in the LMC.
Includes many brighter mag 11.5-13 stars along with dozens of fainter
stars. Perhaps 75 stars down to
mag 15 are resolved in a 7' region.
Located just east of mag 8.2
There are three Shapley-Lindsay clusters (not specifically mentioned by Herschel) at the edges. S-L 225, at the southwest edge, appeared fairly bright, round, 50" diameter. Several mag 14-16 stars are resolved, particularly along the north side. Located 2' SSE of mag 8.2 HD 33617. A mag 11.7 star is 1.3' WSW. S-L 230, at the northern edge, appeared very bright, fairly small LMC cluster, 30"x20" ~N-S, clumpy. At 394x, a brighter star is resolved along with a few very faint stars and a quasi-stellar knot. It was too densely packed for additional resolution. Just 1' SW of S-L 230 is S-L 229, a pretty faint small glow, ~20" diameter, with no resolution.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1838 = h2767 on 30 Dec 1836 and
logged as "a star 7 mag, the chief of a large very loose clustering
mass." The star was earlier
listed in the Brisbane Catalogue of Stars (published in 1835) as
Shapley-Lindsay, ESO and the Hodge-Wright Atlas identity the small knot S-L 225 as NGC 1838. Jenni Kay states that Herschel's description clearly refers to the larger star group, which contains a few small, faint open clusters within it, including S-L 225 and S-L 230. The large, loose grouping including a mag 8 star is roughly 10' in diameter, compared to S-L 225, which is just 35". Harold Corwin notes that S-L 225 may be outside of JH's intended object.
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NGC 1839 = ESO 056-063 = S-L 226
05 06 02 -68 37 36; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 1.6'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright cluster forming a striking pair with NGC 1836 just 2.5' W. At 200x appears as a very high surface brightness irregular glow, ~30" diameter, mottled but not resolved. A group of six mag 13-14 stars is off the west side in two short N-S strings. Several fainter clusters are in the field including HS 117 5' SSE, HS 109 6' SSW and S-L 234 6' SE.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1839 = D 170 = h2678, along with
NGC 1836, on 25 Sep 1826. He
described "a pretty large faint nebula, irregular figure [with several
bright points in it]." The part in brackets was found in his handwritten
notebook, but not his published catalog.
Dunlop's position was 10' E of NGC 1839 and the next entry in his
handwritten notes mentions "the preceding of the three nebulae [follows by
2 min 55 sec and 6' S]."
Close to this offset is
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1839, along with NGC 1836, on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and described as "pB, irregular figure; the following of 2 [with NGC 1836] in field together." On 20 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) he called it "the second nucleus of a binuclear clustering group of mixed nebula and stars."
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05 05 19 -71 45 46; Men
Size 0.6'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): NGC 1840 may the asterism of four mag 13.7-14.7 stars within 1.4' at this position. In addition a couple of mag 15-16 stars were resolved at 394x. Situated in a sparsely populated field.
More likely, though, NGC 1840 is a duplicate of NGC 1833.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1840 = h2771 on 3 Nov 1834 and described "F, R, bM, resolvable. Hardly visible through a thick haze. The observations makes the RA 6m 13.5s, but this is impossible from the context [of the sweep]. It *may* be 8m." In the Cape observations, Herschel gives a position of 5h 7m 13.5s (1830), which is ~3' too far west, and that position is also used in the GC. In any case, the only nearby object is an asterism of 4 stars. In August 2016 Harold Corwin went over the sweep carefully and concluded "Checking this arc, we find two candidate objects: NGC 1833 and SL 249 (at 05 07 35, -70 44.9). The NGC object (= h 2765) is the larger and brighter of the two, and its position is off JH's by even digits: 1 minute of time, and 1 degree of declination. This makes it likely [that NGC 1833 is also] NGC 1840." See his detailed analysis.
Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", comments "There is some confusion about the RA. Dreyer chose the position 5h 6m 13.5' (1830) instead of 5h 7m 13.5s adopted by Herschel. There is nothing at either position. The object was hardly visible though a thick haze, the observation made the RA 6m which was considered impossible and may even by 8m. At the latter is the small cluster S/L 235."
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04 45 22.7 -83 59 55; Men
V = 14.1; Size 2.4'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this LMC cluster appeared as a fairly large, round glow, ~3' diameter with a low surface brightness and just a very weak concentration. At 228x the cluster just starts to resolve into extremely faint 16th magnitude stars.
NGC 1841 resides in the halo and is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. It is also the southernmost globular in the sky.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1841 = h2788 on 19 Jan 1836 and described "pF, L, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle, resolvable, 3' diameter. (RA open to much error for want of zero stars to be depended on)." Although his RA is off by 1 tmin, his position still matches the globular very well at this declination.
Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos announced NGC 1841
as a globular cluster in 1940 (discovery credited to Mrs. Seyfert) based on a
long-exposure 24-inch Bruce plate at Bloemfontein, South Africa. The announcement was in "Southern
Clusters and Galaxies" (Harvard Obs. Bull., No.914, 6). The listed V magnitude of 14.1 is
almost certainly too faint and it was noted as possibly extragalactic, similar
to
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05 07 18 -67 16 24; Dor
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly faint, moderately large, irregular shape, 25" diameter, no
resolution. Forms a pair with
brighter
John Herschel discovered NGC 1842 = h2772 on 20 Dec 1835 and described as "eF, the preceding of two [with NGC 1844 = h2773]." His position is accurate.
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05 14 05.9 -10 37 38; Ori
V = 12.6; Size 2.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 110°
17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, halo gradually fades into the background.
Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1843 = St. 8b-17 on 15 Jan 1877 with description "faint, small, round, little brighter middle."
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NGC 1844 = ESO 085-048 = S-L 242
05 07 30.4 -67 19 28; Dor
V = 12.1; Size 1.3'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):
fairly bright, moderately large, irregular (brightest portion is triangular
shaped), 45"-60" diameter.
A couple of faint stars are resolved at the edges with two interior
stars occasionally resolving.
Mottled appearance on the verge of higher resolution. A mag 12.4 star lies 2' SSW. NGC 1842 lies 3.4' NNW with
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately
bright, fairly small, round, ~40" diameter, fairly smooth with only a weak
concentration to the center. Two
mag 12-13 stars lie to the south and a mag 10 star (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1844 = h2773 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 60"." On a second sweep he recorded "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25", has two stars 12th mag to the north." On a third observation is only logged "F, R". The final observation reads: "F, R, bM, the following of two [with NGC 1842 = h2772]."
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NGC 1845 = ESO 056-065 = S-L 232 = LH 26
05 06 22 -70 35 24; Men
V = 10.2; Size 20'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very large star cloud/association (LH 26) completely filling the 19' field. At the northeast end is the small open cluster S-L 232, which is often taken as NGC 1845. It appeared as a moderately bright, nebulous patch, roundish, 30" diameter, unresolved. A mag 11.2 star is 0.9' SW. The star cloud generally trends northeast to southwest (from S-L 232), stretching ~20'x10', and includes the open cluster NGC 1833 and 1837 at the southwest end. The cloud includes a stunning mix of bright (a few mag 9.5 stars are Milky Way stars), numerous mag 12-13 stars and faint stars over the glowing LMC background haze of myriad unresolved stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1845 = h2770 on 24 Nov 1834 and
simply noted the position was "the general middle of the same cluster
[field containing NGC 1837 = h2769]." On a second sweep he gave the more detailed description,
"a star 9m the second in magnitude and near the centre of clustering
groups which run together and form a cluster which fills the whole field. vl
comp M; st 11...16m." His two
positions refer to different objects: probably the small cluster S-L 232 to the
northeast of
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NGC 1846 = ESO 056-067 = S-L 243
05 07 34.1 -67 27 41; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 2.8'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
128x this young LMC globular appeared fairly bright, relatively large, round,
2.5' diameter, broad concentration, mottled with some weak resolution. A mag 10 star lies 9' SW. Second in a collinear string of 4 LMC
clusters with NGC 1844 9' NNW, NGC 1842 11.5' NNW and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1846 = h2774 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "B; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 3'." He recorded this cluster on 4 different sweeps and his position is accurate.
James Dunlop's D 209 may be an earlier discovery on 6 Nov. 1826. He described a "very faint round nebula, 45" diameter, preceding a bright star in the same parallel." His position is 9' SW of center, within the range of his usual errors, but there isn't a bright star "in the same parallel". A mag 11.5 star is 7' due W, though I doubt he would call it a "bright star".
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NGC 1847 = ESO 056-066 = S-L 240
05 07 08 -68 58 18; Dor
V = 11.1; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very
bright LMC blue globular, moderately large, irregular elongated shape, high
surface brightness glow with a small fainter halo, ~0.6'x0.4'. At 200x, several mag 14.5-15.5 stars
are resolved (a couple are fairly easy) within and at the edges of the central
glow. NGC 1825 lies 15' WNW, NGC
1856 is 16' SE and
John Herschel discovered NGC 1847 = h2775 on 15 Dec 1835 and logged as "B, E, 30", has a double star in the centre." On a second sweep he called it "B, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"." His position is accurate.
Joseph Turner described and sketched NGC 1847 on 18 Dec 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 27 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae..."): "It has a mottled appearance, the bright parts being very bright, as if consisting of very small stars. Sometimes these bright parts sparkle, but I cannot make out any distinct stars, although I feel convinced that these exist. The small star immediately south of nebula and close to it is involved in very faint nebula. H.'s drawing of this object is very unlike its present appearance. He describes it as having a double star in centre and his drawing also shows it so. The nebula presents altogether a more mottled appearance than indicated by H.'s sketch, and the two brighter parts might easily, upon an unfavourable night, be mistaken for the double star with H. shows in his drawing; I can however make nothing more of it than already stated. Night exquisite."
On 19th November 1884, Baracchi noted: "Pretty large, elongated, bright patches within it, not stars. Sparkling looks as if resolvable, but not so. Agrees exactly with Turner's drawing. Position of neighbouring stars agrees exactly with T. Nebula is most likely unchanged. H. puts a double star in it. This double star is perhaps represented now by the bright patches. It may be that H.'s stars have changed into diffused patches." Both T. and B. consider the lithograph as fairly representing the object."
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05 07 17 -71 11 18; Men
V = 9.7; Size 6'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): large, scattered
group of stars, winding in a loop or U-shape that is open on the east and
northeast side. On the west end is
a close, unequal double star with the primary being the brightest star in the
cluster. In total between 30-36
stars are resolved in a 5' region (stellar assoication LH 28). At the east end of the loop is S-L 256,
a faint but clumpy glow of 20" diameter. NGC 1848 is centered 6' NE of mag 7.3
John Herschel discovered NGC 1848 = h2776 on "the first and brightest star, 9th mag, of a cluster of loosely scattered stars" and recorded as "The first and brightest star, 9m, of a cluster of loosely scattered stars." His position is exactly 1 min of RA west of the star at the west edge of the group.
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05 09 35 -66 19 00; Dor
V = 12.8; Size 1.3'
30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, irregularly round, 1' diameter, small bright core, no resolution. An equilateral triangle of mag 11/12 stars with sides of 2.4' is centered 4' SW. While scanning the field, I noticed open cluster S-L 283 7.7' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1849 = h2778 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 25". His position from a single sweep is ~30" NNW of center.
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NGC 1850 = LMC-N103A = ESO 056-70 = S-L 261
05 08 45.2 -68 45 42; Dor
V = 9.5; Size 3'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x
in the 24" I was stunned by the view of this huge, extremely bright, blue
globular cluster! The outer halo,
which extends 5' in diameter, was resolved into dozens of faint stars arranged
in irregular star chains that appear to stream out of the core. A single brighter mag 13 star is
superimposed on the west side [30" W of center is the core of companion
cluster
NGC 1850 resides in a glorious LMC region that is packed with an unbelievable number of clusters and HII regions including NGC 1854 6' SE and NGC 1858, a huge cluster and nebulosity, ~10' SE. A faint loop of nebulosity (LMC-N103A) is involved with the cluster, extending ~N-S on the east end, but I didn't try a filter to see if it was visible.
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): After the Tarantula region (30 Doradus complex), NGC 1850 is the brightest star cluster in the LMC and at an estimated age of only 40-50 million years, this rich, globular-like cluster has no counterpart in the Milky Way! At 128x, the cluster appeared very bright (9th magnitude), large, round, ~3.5' diameter, well concentrated with an intensely bright 1' core. A brighter mag 13 star is superimposed on the western side of the halo. Several very faint stars are resolved in the very lively halo.
NGC 1850 lies in a very impressive region of the LMC (near
the outskirts of the central bar) with 13 additional NGC clusters/nebulosity
within 30' including NGC 1854 7' SE, NGC 1858 10' SE,
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1850 = D 172 = h2780, along with NGC 1854 and 1858, on 3 Aug 1826. His summary description (based on two observations) reads, "pretty bright round nebula, 40" diameter. This is the preceding and brightest of three nebulae in a line [with NGC 1854 and NGC 1858]." His published position was 10' E (same offset as NGC 1839), but a 3rd observation on 6 Nov 1826, in which he stated the line is oblique to the equator, is only 5' SW.
John Herschel observed this cluster on 6 sweeps beginning on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) when he logged "pretty bright, small, round, a cluster of stars 12th mag; diam 1'." Three weeks later (sweep 512) he noted, "globular, very bright, very much compressed, 3' diameter." Herschel gave possible identities with D 172 as well as D 170, which applies to NGC 1839.
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05 14 06.3 -40 02 50; Col
V = 7.2; Size 11.0'; Surf Br = 0.1
18" (1/17/09): at 275x this very bright globular spanned ~6' and contained a blazing 1.5' core. Nearly two dozen stars were resolved including a distinctive SSW-NNE string that runs past the west side of the core. The observation was hampered by the low elevation of this globular from northern California (~10° elevation).
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 200x, this compact globular was very bright, strongly concentrated with an intense 1.5' core and a 4-5' fainter halo. The core was very lively and there were ~30 stars resolved [brightest cluster members are mag 13.2], mostly in the loose halo. A neat loop of stars emerges from the core and runs NNE-SSW along the west edge of the core.
17.5" (1/31/87): small bright core, large very mottled halo. About 20 stars are resolved, mostly west of the core.
13.1" (1/1/84): mottled bright core, unresolved except for two or three faint stars at the west edge.
8" (10/31/81): small, very small bright core, faint halo.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1851 = D 508 = h2777 on 10 May 1826. His summary decription (based on 5 observations) reads, "exceedingly bright, round, well-defined nebula, about 1.5' diameter, exceedingly condensed, almost to the very margin. This is the brightest small nebula that I have seen. I tried several magnifying powers on this beautiful globe; a considerable portion round the margin is resolvable, but the compression to the centre is so great that I cannot reasonably expect to separate the stars. I compared this with the 68 Conn. des Tems, and this nebula greatly exceeds the 68 in condensation and brightness."
John Herschel recorded it on 23 Oct 1835 (sweep 638) as a "superb globular cluster; all resolved into stars of 14th mag.; very suddenly much brighter in the middle to a blaze or nucleus of light; diam. in RA = 15 seconds of time. Difference of left and right eyes in resolving this cluster very remarkable. Returning from the left to the right eye, the object (in comparison) appears as if glazed over with a kind of dull film." On a later sweep he wrote, "very bright; round; very suddenly very much brighter in the middle; 3'; all clearly resolved into stars from 14 to 16 mag except at the centre, where they are massed together into a blaze of light." His final observation reads "Superb globular cluster, very bright; round; first very gradually then suddenly very much brighter in the middle; 4'; resolved, the stars barely visible in strong twilight."
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NGC 1852 = ESO 056-71 = S-L 264
05 09 24.0 -67 46 45; Dor
V = 12.0
25" (4/6/19 - OzSky): at 244x and 353x; bright, fairly large, round, 1.2' diameter, brighter core. A couple of 15th mag stars were resolved on the north side and a couple additional extremely faint 16+ mag stars on the edge of the southern halo.
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
128x, this rich LMC cluster (possible globular) appeared moderately bright and
large, round, 1' diameter. Fairly
low surface brightness with a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Forms the northern vertex of a triangle
with two mag 10 stars (
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1852 = D 171 = h2781 on 6 Nov 1826 and described a "very faint round nebula, about 25" diameter." His position is 5' SSE of the cluster and there are no other nearby candidates. John Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate and he made no mention of Dunlop's possible earlier observation.
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05 12 16.4 -57 23 57; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 2.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 43°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): moderately
bright and large, elongated ~5:2 SW-NE, 1.25'x0.5', slightly brighter core,
brighter along the major axis. A
mag 12 star is 1.6' NE of center, collinear with the major axis. Located 4.5' SSW of mag 9.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1853 = h2779 on 4 Dec 1834 and
logged "F; S; mE; pos 45° n f to s p. Has a *11 mag north." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) and description matches
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NGC 1854 = NGC 1855 (core) = ESO 056-072 = S-L 265
05 09 20.0 -68 50 52; Dor
V = 10.4; Size 0.8'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I revisited this remarkable field after viewing NGC 1850 (located 6' NW) the previous night. At 200x this cluster appeared very bright, large, round, with a brilliant core. At 350x, it was resolved into numerous faint stars around the edges of the intense core. Up to a couple of dozen very faint stars popped in and out of visibility. The core is noticeably elongated N-S and is surrounded by a large, much fainter halo. There is a small clump of stars at the NW edge. NGC 1858, a large star cluster and nebulosity, lies 4' SE.
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', moderate concentration. There is a small knot attached to the north edge. Located 6' SE of NGC 1850 with NGC 1858 4.5' further SE in a region of the LMC packed with clusters.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1854 = D 119 = h2782, along with NGC 1850 and 1858, on 3 Aug 1826. He noted a "small round pretty well-defined nebula" and mentioned the three nebulae were on a line oblique to the equator. Although his position is 12' too far ESE, the identification is certain.
John Herschel recorded NGC 1854 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and logged "a cluster nebula, S, R, pB, 40"." He observed the cluster on 5 sweeps including 16 Dec 1834 (sweep 657) when he noted "B, E, gradually brighter in the middle, 2', resolvable. The second of three objects [with NGC 1850 and 1858." His description for NGC 1855 = h2783 reads "a vB, L, round cluster of stars 12m, 5' diameter [this obs must refer to the general cluster in which the former (NGC 1854) is situated as a nebulous-looking knot - a combination of the most ordinary occurence in the Nubecula Major, though very rare in other parts of the heavens.)"
NGC 1854 and 1855 are equated in S-L (1963) and ESO as well as online sources such as SIMBAD. Brent Archinal has separate listings for NGC 1854 ("central portion") and NGC 1855 in his book "Star Clusters".
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05 09 20 -68 51 00; Dor
Size 2.3'x2.3'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350, the cluster was resolved into numerous faint stars around the edges of the intense core. Up to a couple of dozen very faint stars popped in and out of visibility. The core (NGC 1854) is noticeably elongated N-S and is surrounded by a large, much fainter halo (NGC 1855).
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): see description for NGC 1854.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1855 = h2783 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "a vB, L, round cluster of stars 12m, 5' diameter [N.B. this obs must refer to the general cluster in which the former (h2782 = NGC 1854) is situated as a nebulous-looking knot - a combination of the most ordinary occurence in the Nubecula Major, though very rare in other parts of the heavens]." He has 5 observations of h2782 (the central core of the cluster), but only this single observation noting a much larger field. Most sources, such as ESO and SIMBAD, simply equate the two numbers or refer to the cluster as NGC 1855, though Brent Archinal has separate listings for both objects in his book "Star Clusters".
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1854 = D 119 (the core of the cluster) on 2 Aug 1826 and described a "small round pretty well-defined nebula". His position is 12' ESE of NGC 1855, a typical error shared by D 120 = NGC 1858. Dunlop is not credited in JH's catalogues or the NGC.
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NGC 1856 = ESO 056-073 = S-L 271
05 09 30.1 -69 07 43; Dor
V = 10.1; Size 2.7'x2.4'
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
128x, this LMC rich cluster appeared bright, moderately large, 1.5'
diameter. Well concentrated with a
very bright 30" core similar to a globular cluster. Located 2' N of mag 9.4
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1856 = D 118 = h2784 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a pretty well-defined small nebula, with a small star south of it." His position is 6' too far ENE, a comparable offset to NGC 1839 and NGC 1850, the previous objects in his drift on 25 Sep. The "small star south" matches a mag 9.4 star 2' S and the identification is secure.
John Herschel swept up the cluster on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509), logging it as "B, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 12 seconds diameter in RA in time. Has a bright star to south." Robert Innes, observing with the 26.5-inch Union Observatory refractor in 1926, described a "cluster, 90" diameter, bM, stars 14th mag and fainter."
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05 20 06 +39 20 36; Aur
V = 7.0; Size 6'
13.1" (1/18/85): 50-60 stars resolved surrounding mag
7.5
William Herschel discovered NGC 1857 = H. VII-33 = h350 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 619). He described "a cluster of pretty compressed pS stars, considerably rich, contains one large star, the rest are all of a size." His position is accurate. On 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399), John Herschel recorded, "a *7m, very ruddy, almost orange-coloured, in a p rich cl of very small stars." Wolfgang Steinicke reports that William discovered it earlier on 30 Sep 1780 (before his sweeps started), while surveying the brighter stars with his 6.2-inch reflector.
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NGC 1858 = LMC-N105 = ESO 056-74 = S-L 274 = LH 31
05 10 00 -68 54 15; Dor
V = 9.9; Size 4.4'x2.6'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC
1858 would be a fascinating nebula and cluster (association LH 31) even if it
was isolated, but it's more striking situated at the southeast end of a
wonderful chain with the bright cluster NGC 1854 and NGC 1850, one of the top
showpieces in the LMC. At 346x
about two dozen stars were superimposed over an elongated glow and many other
stars were just outside the glow.
At 200x with a UHC filter, the associated emission nebula (LMC-N105) was
very bright overall with a very high surface brightness patch (N105A = HD
269111), roughly 30" in size, at the north end. This patch contains the mag 13.9 Wolf-Rayet star Brey
16a = HD 269113. The nebula is
brightest along the west and east border and weaker in the center. The elongation is towards a mag 12 star
on the south side (Blue supergiant
18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): third of three bright objects in a NW to SE string with NGC 1850 and NGC 1854/55. This is a large and very unusual cluster with nebulosity. There is a bright knot attached near the NW edge, ~15"-20" in diameter. This knot responds very well to a UHC filter at 76x (27 Panoptic). An obvious elongated patch of nebulous haze curves to the SE with several mag 13 stars involved with the glow and extended N-S. Overall, the size of the cluster/nebulosity extends to 3.5'x2'. Located 4.5' SE of NGC 1854.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1858 = D 120 = h2784, along with NGC 1850 and 1854, on 3 Aug 1826. He called it a "small round nebula, about 30" diameter" with the three "nebulae" described as on a line oblique to the equator, matching the sky. He made a second observation on 25 Sep 1826, matching in offset position from NGC 1856, the previous object in the drift. He described it as "the following of the three faint nebulae [with NGC 1850 and 1855] - irregular figure, ill defined, about 1' long, 25" or 30" broad."
John Herschel first recorded NGC 1858 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and noted "A bright cl of irregular figure." Herschel observed the cluster no less than 7 sweeps. For example, the next night (sweep 509) he called it "a large, irregularly elongated cluster and nebula. Has two bright nebulae N.p. [NGC 1850 and 1854]. " He added this note his observations: "This object, by diagrams, made in several of the observations, appears to consist of a resolvable and irresolvable portion, the general form being that of a somewhat crooked oblong extended from N.p. to S.f. at an angle of 60 or 70 degrees with the parallel, the northern end being nebulous, the southern starry. This anomolous form and constitution will serve to explain the apparent disagreement of these descriptions and places."
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05 11 32.5 -65 14 55; Dor
V = 12.1; Size 2.0'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright,
fairly small, round. A brighter
"bar" oriented NW-SE runs through the center, 0.6' diameter. Appears very mottled with a few very
faint stars resolved. Collinear
with mag 7
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this cluster
appeared as a faint, fairly small, round, unresolved spot, roughly 0.5'
diameter. Located 5.5' SSW of mag
7.0
John Herschel discovered NGC 1859 = h2786 on 3 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; 20"; has a *7m nf, dist 6'." His position and description is accurate.
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05 10 39.9 -68 45 13; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.1'x1.1'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
LMC cluster was fairly faint, moderately large, possibly elongated slightly
N-S, ~35"x30", very weak concentration. A mag 10 star lies 1.7' SW. Picked up after viewing
John Herschel discovered NGC 1860 = h2787 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as "F; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60." His position is ~30" too far south.
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05 10 22 -70 46 36; Men
V = 13.2; Size 1.2'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, round, fairly small, 35" diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core, no resolution. A mag 12 star lies 4' W and there are no stars brighter than mag 11 in the field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1861 = h2790 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "eF, R, gradually very little brighter middle, 90 arcseconds." His single position is accurate.
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05 12 34.4 -66 09 11; Dor
V = 13.3; Size 0.3'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular round, 25" diameter. Two mag 15-15.5 stars are resolved on the north side [6" separation] and a knot on the south side just resolves into a 4" pair. A wide 30" pair of mag 11/12.5 stars is 2.5' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1862 = h2789 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vF, R, 30"." His position from this single sweep is 1.3' too far west.
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NGC 1863 = ESO 056-077 = S-L 299
05 11 40.1 -68 43 36; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC globular appeared very bright, moderately large, irregular outline, ~40" diameter, high surface brightness. A faint star or clump is at the NE edge. Forms a pair with NGC 1865, located 5' SE. The remarkable field containing NGC 1850 (brightest cluster in the LMC), NGC 1855 and 1858 lies 15' SW.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1863 = D 173 = h2791 on 25 Sep 1826. He recorded "a small faint round nebula 12" diameter." His reduced position was 12' ENE of the cluster, a comparable offset in RA (time) as the previous object (NGC 1858) in the drift.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1863 = h2791 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "B; vS; R; 20"." On a second sweep he added "resolvable, 15", has a small star very near the edge." His position (recorded on 5 sweeps) is accurate.
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05 12 41.0 -67 37 25; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 0.9'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly small,
roundish glow, 35" diameter.
Four stars are resolved are 303x.
Two mag 14.3 and 15.5 stars on the west end and a couple of mag 14.5-15
stars on the southeast side. HD
34650 = HJ 3747 = 9.4/11.0 at 7" is 6.2' ENE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1864 = h2792 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; bM; 60." On a second sweep he logged "F; irreg R; r; query, if not a knot of vS stars." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1865 = ESO 056-078 = S-L 307
05 12 25.0 -68 46 19; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.4'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster was fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1' diameter with a weak concentration and no resolution. It has a symmetrical appearance like a globular. Located 5' SE of the bright cluster NGC 1863.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1865 = h2794 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "vF, pL, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 45"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1866 = ESO 085-52 = S-L 319
05 13 38.6 -65 27 52; Dor
V = 9.8; Size 4.5'
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): beautiful, highly resolved "blue globular" in the LMC. Appeared very bright, very large, with an intense 1' core surrounded by a 5' halo containing a few dozen very faint stars. The core itself was partially resolved into a number of densely packed stars over bright, mottled haze. NGC 1859 lies 18' NW.
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this LMC globular appeared moderately bright and fairly large large, round, 2.5' diameter. The appearance was symmetrical with a faint 2.5' halo increasing to a 1' bright core which was concentrated to the center. There was no obvious resolution although the surface was grainy or mottled. Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 11-12 star 3' WNW and a mag 12-13 star 3' NNW. This is a young populous "blue globular" with an age of roughly 100 million years.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1866 = h2793 = D 247 = D 248 on 3 Aug 1826. He described D 248 as "a pretty bright round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter, gradually and moderately condensed to the centre." His first position on 3 Aug was 9' to the E and a second position from 5 Nov was 7.5' to the W, so the identification is certain. D 247, found on 3 Oct 1826, is apparently another observation. It was placed 9' too far NW and described (in his notebook) as "a pretty bright round nebula, 35" diameter, gradually condensed to the center and well defined."
John Herschel observed NGC 1866 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and recorded "vB; L; R; very gradually much brighter middle; 2'; resolvable." In 1926, Robert Innes described the cluster as "fine cluster of stars, very dense, with outliers, 2' diam, a miniature of Omega Centauri, 8th mag." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory).
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05 13 41.6 -66 17 36; Dor
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
LMC cluster appears as a fairly faint soft glow with no resolution, moderately
large, irregularly round, 35" diameter, slightly brighter core. Forms the obtuse angle of a flat
triangle with a mag 10.5 star 2.6' S and a mag 12.5 star 1.9' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1867 = h2795 on 3 Jan 1837 and described as "eF, pL, R, 2' (sky dull)" His position is accurate.
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05 14 35.9 -63 57 15; Dor
V = 11.6; Size 3.9'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, moderately large, round, fairly thin halo, 1.0' diameter, mottled and high surface brightness but not resolved. A mag 12 star lies 2.5' NE. Resides in an fairly sparse field 57' SE of mag 5.2 WZ Doradus.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1868 = h2796 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "pF; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 80"." On a second sweep he recorded "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"." In 1926, Robert Innes described it visually as a "Resolvable. 1' diameter, bM, = 9th mag." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory).
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05 13 52.7 -67 22 41; Dor
V = 10.5; Size 14'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): S-L 326 (middle of three
clusters within a large star cloud) consists of a mag 11.5 star, along with 5
other fairly bright stars and a number of faint stars (12-15 total
resolved). The cluster is encased
in an irregular HII glow with a brighter patch (LMC-N30A) to the southeast of
the mag 11.5 star. The glow is
moderately enhanced with the NPB filter, which reveals nebulosity extending off
the cluster to the west.
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, hazy glow
(= S-L 326) around a mag 10.5 star (
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1869 = D 210 = D 182 on 24 Sep 1826. His description of D 210 reads "a small round nebula, rather faint. This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude at the north extremity." Dunlop's sketch (figure 7) appears to support D 210 = NGC 1871 (or part of the "line"), with a small nebula at the opposite end of a curved chain extending to a star (Theta Doradus) at the opposite end. His published position is 3.4' ESE of S-L 326 in the center of the association (the "point taken" by Herschel). Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all." This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) so his positions are systematically offset.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1869 = h2798 on 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 658) and described a "cluster of 7th class; a fine L cluster of scattered stars which fills field. The point taken is the middle of 3 groups [including NGC 1871 and 1873] in the most condensed part."
NGC 2000, ESO and Morel's Visual Atlas of the LMC all identify NGC 1869 with S-L 326, a small cluster flanked by NGC 1871 to the south and NGC 1873 to the north of Herschel's position. This is the object described by Herschel on his second sweep. But Jenni Kay notes that "I am confident the small cluster centrally positioned between NGC 1871 and NGC 1873, being 2.5' in size is not Herschel's cluster. The whole star group is attractive enough to warrant it's own designation. ...the small OC was used to measure a position only for the whole group which is the true NGC 1869 cluster." Based on his two sweeps, NGC 1869 refers BOTH to the small cluster and to the star cloud (Lucke-Hodge associations 36/37/38 as well as 34/32).
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05 13 10.9 -69 07 03; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 1.1'x1.0'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared very bright, small, round, at most 30" in diameter. The cluster was very grainy and lively at 350x and a few extremely faint stars occasionally popped into view.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1870 = D 123 = h2799 on 3 Aug 1826. He described "a faint ill-defined nebula, 2' diameter, preceding a large faint nebula." His position, from a single observation, is 9.5' too far ESE. Adding some doubt, though, is his size estimate of 2', which is much too large for this small object. Furthermore, there is no "large faint nebula" directly following, though he could be referring to NGC 1910, which is ~30' ESE and was also observed that night.
John Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 30 Jan 1835 and logged "B; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25." His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1871 = LMC-N30B = ESO 056-085 = S-L 325 = LH 38
05 13 52.0 -67 27 08; Dor
V = 10.1
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): this nebulous cluster contains
5 or 6 bright stars (mag 11.5-13) and 10 stars total, 2' diameter, elongated
E-W. A very small nonstellar knot
is near the center; a mag 11.8 blue supergiant (
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, this is a small group of stars in the LMC, 4 stars are resolved in nebulosity. NGC 1873 lies 7' N and NGC 1864 is 12' SW.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1871 = D 210 = D 182 = h2800 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded D 210 as "a small round nebula, rather faint. This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude [probably mag 4.8 Theta Doradus] at the north extremity." Although NGC 1871 is not "preceding in a line", it lies at the south end of a line with NGC 1869 and 1873, extending towards Theta Doradus. Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all." This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) and his published position is 2° to the SE.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1871 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and described "a poor cluster; the southern of three (with NGC 1869 and 1873) of four." On 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) he called it "the second of a series of clusters which extend northwards as far as [Theta Doradus]." His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 1872 = ESO 056-083 = S-L 318
05 13 11.6 -69 18 45; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.7'x1.7'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bright globular was the first LMC object I observed in the 24" and the view and surrounding field was very striking. At 200x, the cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, round, 1.25' diameter, with a very bright core and a mottled halo. A couple of mag 14-14.5 stars are near the edge of the halo.
Just to the east is a fairly rich scattering of stars
including a 6' N-S curving chain that includes several mag 11-12 stars with a
nice mag 12 pair at the north end (
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1872 = D 121= h2802 on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded "a small round nebula." Athough his reduced position was 15' too far south, it was logged in the drift (second on 24 Sep) just 12 seconds prior to the NGC 1876 complex and 2' N, a nearly perfect match.
John Herschel first observed NGC 1872 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and reported "B, R, gradually brighter in the middle; the preceding nebula." In Dec. 1834 (sweep 523) he recorded, "pB, S, R, insulated in the recess of an arc-formed nebulous cluster (See plate III fig 6 for this and several following objects)." His position (recorded on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1873 = ESO 085-054 = S-L 324 = LH 36
05 13 55.8 -67 20 00; Dor
V = 10.4
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, large resolved cluster, 2.5' diameter. Includes a bright mag 11.6 star and 20 or more mag 13 and fainter stars over unresolved haze and nebulosity. Moderate contrast gain with NPB filter. Connected to S-L 326 (see NGC 1869) just 2.8' S and NGC 1871 7.5' SSW. The three star groups are embedded in a 15' star cloud (including associations LH 32/34/36/37/38). Faint stars and unresolved haze extends to the west and north as well as a several brighter mag 11.5-12.5 stars 4' to 6' W. This excellent region is situated 9' S of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus.
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, 4 stars resolved over haze, 1.0' diameter. Located 9' S of mag 4.9 Theta Doradus in a series of small clusters including NGC 1871 7' S and a small group just 3' S surrounding a mag 10 star that John Herschel gave as the center for NGC 1869.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1873 = D 210 = D 182 on 24 Sep 1826. His description of D 210 reads "a small round nebula, rather faint. This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude at the north extremity." Dunlop's sketch shows a curved chain of stars and nebulae extending south of a bright star (Theta Doradus). Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all." This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) so his positions are systematically offset.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1873 = h2801 on 2 Jan 1837
(sweep 760) and described as "the third [with NGC 1871 and 1869] of a
series of clusters extending to
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NGC 1874 = LMC-N113D = ESO 056-84 = LH 35
05 13 09.0 -69 22 34; Dor
V = 12.8; Size 1.0'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
the first in a complex of HII regions located ~4' due south of the bright
cluster NGC 1872. At 200x and UHC
filter, NGC 1874 appeared bright, round, ~1' diameter, even surface
brightness. The nebulous glow is
just slightly fainter than
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1874 = part of D 122 = h2804 on 24 Sep 1826. His handwritten notes reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side]. The stars are very small." His reduced position was 14' too far south, but the description fits this complex and in the drift he accurately placed NGC 1872 a few arc minutes NNW at the same time, confirming the identification. As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these.
John Herschel recorded NGC 1874 = h2803 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657): "the south preceding of two [with NGC 1876 = h2804], forming a binuclear nebula at the southern extremeity of an arc-formed cluster of stars." He sketched the complex, which is shown on Plate III, figure 6 in his Cape catalogue.
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05 21 45.8 +06 41 20; Ori
V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0
48" (10/24/11): bright, round, 30" diameter,
brighter core. A mag 13 star lies
1' W. The other three fainter
members (interacting chain
24" (2/9/13): NGC 1875 is the dominant E or S0 galaxy
in
17.5" (2/8/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very faint stellar nucleus. Located 1.0' E of a mag 13.5 star. No other members of HCG 34 seen.
17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 1' W. This galaxy is the brightest member of HCG 34 including an extremely faint interacting triplet just SE which was not seen.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 1875 = m 98 on 18 Nov 1863 with
William Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "eF, S, R." His position matches
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NGC 1876 = LMC-N113C = ESO 056-84 = LH 35
05 13 18.5 -69 21 52; Dor
V = 11.7
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
the largest and brightest in an impressive complex of HII regions just 3' S of
the blue globular NGC 1872. At
200x and a UHC filter it appeared very bright with a slightly irregular
outline, ~1.2' diameter, brightest along the north rim where there is a
brighter knot. NGC 1874,
another bright section, lies only 1' SW and
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1876 = part of D 122 = h2804 on 24 Sep 1826. His handwritten notes reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side]. The stars are very small." Although his reduced position was 14' too far south, the description fits this complex and he accurately placed NGC 1872 a few arc minutes NNW, confirming the identification. As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these.
John Herschel observed NGC 1876 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and described it as "B, irreg R (the following of two very close) connected by an arc-formed cluster with another." The following month (sweep 523) he called it "pB, r[esolvable], the most compressed part of an irregular binuclear nebula which terminates, to the south, an arc-formed cluster." His mean position from 4 sweeps is accurate and a sketch showing the entire complex is on plate III, figure 6.
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NGC 1877 = ESO 056-084 = LMC-N11A/B
05 13 21.7 -69 22 37; Dor
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
the third in an interesting complex of HII regions and is situated just 1' SE
of much brighter NGC 1876. At 200x
with a UHC filter it appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, with
several stars embedded. NGC 1877
forms the SE vertex of a small equilateral triangle with NGC 1874 and
1876.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1877 = h2805 on 17 Jan 1838 and described as "a third and very faint nucleus of the nebular group at the southern extremity of the arc-formed cluster. From a figure of Jan 17, 1838 [plate III, figure 6 in the CGH Observations]." See Corwin's notes.
James Dunlop discovered the entire complex of nebulae on 24 Sep 1826. His handwritten description of D 122 reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side]. The stars are very small." As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these, but NGC 1877 is quite faint in comparison.
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05 12 51 -70 28 18; Men
V = 12.9; Size 1.1'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; moderately bright, small, round, compact, 20" diameter, fairly high surface brightness glow, no resolution. Occasionally a mag 16-16.5 star pops at the north edge. A mag 13.5 star is 1' NE and a mag 12.5 star is 1.8' NE. LHA 120-N 193A, a compact HII region, is 4.3' NNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1878 = h2807 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "vF, lE, gradually very little brighter middle, r. (N.B. The Nubecula Major is here very poor, and hardly anything of it seen.)" His position, from a single sweep, is ~30" too far east.
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05 19 48.2 -32 08 29; Col
V = 12.8; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 60°
17.5" (1/19/91): faint, moderately large, almost round,
low even surface brightness.
Located 3.3' SE of mag 9.8
John Herschel discovered NGC 1879 = h2797 on 18 Nov 1835 and reported as "vF, L, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 2', has a star 12 seconds preceding and 3' north." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1880 = LMC-N113F = ESO 056-82
05 13 38.6 -69 23 03; Dor
Size 0.7'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the 4th in a striking group of HII regions with the main complex consisting of NGC 1874, 1876 and 1877 just to the west by 2'-3'. At 200x with a UHC filter NGC 1880 appeared as a moderately bright, small, round haze surrounding a star. A brighter mag 12.3 star ~40" SW is free of nebulosity. Very faint haze is visible extending to the east (BSDL 945) and northeast.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1880 = h2808 in Dec 1834 and described as "A fourth nucleus at the southern end of the arc-formed nebula and cluster, as laid down in the figure of Jan 17, 1838 [plate III, figure 6 in the CGH Observations]." This grouping consists of NGC 1872, 1874, 1877 and NGC 1880. See Corwin's notes for NGC 1874.
James Dunlop discovered the entire complex of stars and nebulae on 24 Sep 1826 (second sweep). His handwritten description of D 122 reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side]. The stars are very small." As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these numbers, and perhaps NGC 1880.
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NGC 1881 = ESO 056-086 = S-L 323 = LH 35
05 13 37.3 -69 18 03; Dor
Size 1.0'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): a long, curving chain of stars (part of stellar association LH 35) extends to the northeast of the NGC 1874/76/77 HII complex and ends at an easy pair of mag 12 stars (12" separation) located about 2.5' NE of the globular NGC 1872. At 260x, faint haze or unresolved stars, ~1' in diameter, encompasses this pair of stars.
Although there is dim nebulosity generally north and west of the double, John Herschel's description and sketch refers to an asterism of 5-6 faint stars 2.5' following the pair of stars. Modern sources are incorrect in identifying NGC 1881 with the pair of mag 12 stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1881 = h2810 on 17 Jan 1838 and recorded "vF; follows a double star. An outlier of the arc-formed nebula and cluster [N1874/76/77]. Laid down in drawing Jan. 17, 1838, whence also its place. See Plate III. fig. 6." There are only a handful of faint stars near his position. See Corwin's notes and my visual description.
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NGC 1882 = NGC 1884? = ESO 085-057 = S-L 340
05 15 33 -66 07 48; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 1.2'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, roundish, 1.2' diameter, small brighter core. A mag 14 star is resolved at the west edge of the core. A mag 10 star lies 5.5' E. NGC 1887 lies 12' SSE and NGC 1867 is 15' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1882 = h2809 (along with NGC 1867, 1919, 1946, 2034, 2062, 2153 and 2176) on 3 Jan 1837. He recorded "pF, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 3' diameter, mottled (resolvable)." His position is less than 30" NW of center.
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05 25 54 +46 29 24; Aur
Size 3'
13.1" (12/22/84): about a dozen very faint stars mag 13.5 and fainter over unresolved haze. Located 1.5° NE of Capella.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1883 = H. VII-34 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645). He recorded "a cluster of very faint and very small stars, pretty compressed but not very rich, irr figure, about 3' diameter." His position is just off the north side of this cluster. This cluster was only 5° from the zenith as it crossed the meridian, 1.7° ENE of Capella.
The declination in Lynga, RNGC and Sky Catalogue 2000.0 is 4' too far N.
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05 15 58 -66 09 48; Dor
= Not found or 3 *'s, Corwin. =Not Found, Lindsay.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1884 = h2812 on 3 Jan 1837 and noted,"eF, 2' diameter." There is nothing obvious on the DSS at his position (29 tsec east and 2' south of NGC 1882). Eric Lindsay reports "not found" in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud". ESO equates NGC 1884 with NGC 1882. Since NGC 1882 and 1884 were recorded on the same sweep, this seems unlikely. If Herschel made a 10' error in dec, then NGC 1884 could be a duplicate of NGC 1887 instead, though his size estimate would be significantly too large. Finally, Harold Corwin notes this number may refer to 3 stars close to Herschel's position.
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05 15 07.0 -68 58 43; Dor
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared very bright, round, moderately large, ~35" diameter. It was very irregular and slightly elongated E-W at 350x with a few extremely faint stars resolved around the edges and a few stars resolved within the halo (including one brighter star).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1885 = h2814 on 31 Jan 1835 and described as "pB; R; bM; 15"." His position from a single sweep is about 1' too far WNW.
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05 21 48.6 -23 48 34; Lep
V = 12.8; Size 3.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 60°
48" (10/29/16): at 488x; bright, striking edge-on 7:1
SW-NE, at least 2.0'x0.3', contains a brighter bulging core. This large, thin edge-on is nearly
bisected by a thin, pretty subtle dust lane slightly north of the central
axis. The portion of the core
south of the lane was slightly larger and more prominent with a smaller section
of the core north of the lane. A
mag 10.0 star (
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, fairly small, edge-on WSW-ENE,
even surface brightness. Located just east of a line of four bright stars
oriented NW-SE, including mag 9.5
Frank Muller discovered NGC 1886 = LM 2-400 in 1886 with the
26" refractor at Leander McCormick and recorded "mag 14.0, 3.0'x1.8',
E 240°, *8 at 0.6' in PA 245°."
His position is just 11 tsec west of
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NGC 1887 = ESO 085-059 = S-L 343
05 16 06 -66 19 06; Dor
V = 12.7; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 40" diameter. Concentrated with a very small brighter core that is offset towards the west side. A mag 13.5 star is just off the NW edge of the main glow and a mag 15.2 star is off the NE edge. NGC 1882 lies 12' NNW and NGC 1867 is 14' WNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1887 = h2813 on 23 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; vS; R; has a * preceding 25" distance." His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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05 22 34.7 -11 29 58; Lep
V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 145°
48" (2/18/12): very bright, large, elongated 5:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.5'. Contains a very bright, elongated core that appears mottled. The northwest extension is partially cut off in a north-south direction due to a dust lane near the midpoint and the northwest end has a much lower surface brightness.
48" (10/22/11): very bright, large, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE,
2.6'x0.5', large bright core.
Forms a striking pair with
13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE streak. Forms a contact pair with NGC 1889 just NE of the center.
8" (10/31/81): very faint, small.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1888 = H. II-289 = h352 =
h2806 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 362) and recorded "F, pL, irregular triangular
figure, resolvable." I'm
surprised he missed NGC 1889, which was discovered by Lord Rosse's assistant
Bindon Stoney on 29 Oct 1851.
Joseph Turner sketched the pair of galaxies (
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NGC 1889 = Arp 123 NED2 = MCG -02-14-014 = PGC 17196
05 22 35.3 -11 29 49; Lep
V = 13.3; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 165°
48" (2/18/12): very bright, small, round, very high surface brightness core, stellar nucleus, 0.4' diameter. Forms a contact pair at the east edge of the core of NGC 1888
48" (10/22/11): very bright, small, round, 25" diameter, very high surface brightness. Attached on the east side of the core of NGC 1888.
13.1" (12/22/84): faint, extremely small, round. Forms a contact pair with much brighter NGC 1888. Located just east of the north end of NGC 1888.
Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1889 on 29 Oct 1851. He described NGC 1888 as a "close double nebula, the preceding nebula [NGC 1888] is elongated NW-SE.". The rough position in the NGC is very close.
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05 13 46 -72 04 42; Men
V = 12.8; Size 1.2'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright,
fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, 40" diameter. This cluster consists of two "knots". The brighter knot on the northwest side
appears to have a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 13-13.5 is just off the west-northwest edge, 0.7' NE
and another mag 13.5 star is 1' SSE.
Mag 9.5
John Herschel discovered NGC 1890 = h2816 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle." His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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05 21 16.3 -35 42 5; Col
18" (1/21/04): ~15 mag 10-13 stars, scattered in a 15' field. There are no rich subgroups and appears to be an unimpressive, random group of stars. Still, it stands out as reasonably detached at 115x. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC and not catalogued by Lynga as a cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1891 = h2811 on 26 Dec 1835 and
called it "A large scattered cluster, which more than fills the
field. Stars 10...12m. Place that of a double star [HJ 3753],
the chief star." His position
corresponds with mag 9.3
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05 17 09.0 -64 57 35; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 2.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 74°
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this galaxy shines through the northern portion of the LMC! At 166x, it appeared very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.3' with just a weak concentration. A very faint star is just south of the following end. Located 37' NE of the bright LMC young globular NGC 1866.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1892 = h2815 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "vF; pL; lE in parallel; very gradually little brighter middle; 2' l; 9" br." On a second sweep he recorded "pF, pL, elongated in parallel; 90", 50"; has a star or two in it." In 1926, Robert Innes described it visually as a "very elongated nebula, 45° to 225°, 12th mag; 30" broad, 2' long." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory). The Hodge-Wright Atlas claims the RA is off by 1 tmin, but it is correctly marked on the Atlas and the NGC position is accurate.
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05 22 45 +33 25 12; Aur
V = 7.5; Size 11'
24" (1/4/14): at 200x, this bright, young cluster
contains 80-100 stars, with the richest portion forming a large
boomerang-shaped region extending 12'x5' N-S. The outline is slightly concave to the west and convex to
the east with a narrow denser region in the center with several pairs and
trios. NGC 1893 is the core of the
Aur OB2 association and contains a number of massive O-type stars including 9th
mag O4-type
The cometary "Tadpoles" nebulae
48" (10/27/19): just west of the cluster was a noticeable dark nebula, ~3' in diameter and it provided a striking contrast with the rich cluster immediately to its east and northeast.
13.1" (2/25/84): about 40 mostly faint stars, elongated N-S in poor transparency. Located within a triangle of three mag 8 stars. The emission nebula IC 410 is involved.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1893 = h351 on 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51) and described a "rich coarse cluster of scattered stars 9...15m; more than fills field." There is nothing at his position but exactly 3 tmin of RA west is a cluster embedded in the HII region IC 410. JH didn't mention any nebulosity in his description, so the number should just apply to the cluster only, with IC 410 referring to the nebula. The error in position was copied by JH into the GC and by Dreyer into the NGC. In the 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", Karl Reinmuth gave an corrected RA (noting it with an asterisk).
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05 15 51 -69 28 06; Dor
V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright to very bright,
moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter, high surface brightness. A couple of mag 15+ stars are at the
edge on the north side as well as a mag 13.5 star at the northwest edge. Situated in a rich region of the LMC
with a glowing background.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1894 = D 124 = h2818 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded (second drift on this date) "a small very faint round nebula, 12" diameter." His reduced position was 14' too far south, but his drift record shows it was logged 3 minutes after NGC 1876 (the entire complex) and 6' south, matching the offsets to NGC 1894. Glen Cozens suggested that D 125 (the next number in the drift) may be NGC 1894, but that number likely applies to NGC 1903.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1894 = h2818 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 80"; resolvable. On a ground of small stars." His position is accurate.
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05 16 52 -67 19 50; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 0.8'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): very bright, irregular HII
region, ~45" diameter, enhanced with NPB filter at 152x. Three mag 14.5-15 stars are involved
with the glow, one centrally. A mag 12 star is 1.7' NNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1895 = h2817 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 40"." On later sweeps he estimated the size as 70" and 80".
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05 25 35 +29 15 36; Tau
18" (11/22/03): at 115x, this is a scattered group of
two dozen or more stars (depending on assumed dimensions) situated northeast of
mag 8.6
William Herschel discovered NGC 1896 = H. VIII-4 = h353 on 17 Jan 1784 (sweep 76) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars with small ones intermixed; it is about 3/4 nf Beta Tauri." His summary description (from 3 observations) reads "a cluster of coarse and irregularly scattered pretty large stars." His position matches this scattered group of stars (not a cluster). A sketch (fig. 14) was included in his 1814 paper as representative of the class of irregular clusters.
On 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115), John Herschel logged, "the most condensed part of a poor cl divded into two. It consists of 20 or 30 stars 9...12m." His position is only given roughly, but is just off the southeast side. JH made a typo copying the NPD into the GC, where it is 9° too far south and Dreyer passed along this error into the NGC. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and uses the erroneous NGC position. Lynga does not list a cluster at Herschel's position, so this group is probably an asterism and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, also adds "no distinct Cl."
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NGC 1897 = ESO 056-092 = S-L 355
05 17 32 -67 26 54; Dor
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): moderately bright cluster,
fairly small, round, 25" diameter, fairly smooth, no resolution except for
a mag 16.5 star at the south edge.
No response to filter. Mag
9.9
John Herschel discovered NGC 1897 = h2820 on 31 Jan 1835 and described as "eF; S; R." His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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05 16 41.9 -69 39 25; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 1.6'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright,
moderately large, irregular outline, nearly 1.0' diameter, bright central
region, very mottled, contains a very small bright nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is just off the
southwest edge, 30" from center and two mag 12 stars are 2' S and 1.7' SE
. Set within a rich background glow from the LMC, 12' W of
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1898 = D 126 = D 88 = h2822 on
24 Sep 1826. He described D 126
(second sweep) as " a very small round faint nebula, 6" to
8"." His reduced
position was 9' too far south (similar to other nearby objects in the drift),
but it was placed 18' due south of the previous object NGC 1903, matching the
sky. D 88, recorded on 27 Sep
1826, was recorded as "a round faint nebula about 25" diameter. North of three small stars forming a
triangle." His poorly
reduced position was 21' too far SE, but his drift data shows the offset from
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1898 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513). He described it as "F; R; 40"." and measured an accurate position.
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05 17 49 -67 54 06; Dor
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; no cluster or nebulous object was in the field at the nominal position, which included three mag 11 stars and the rest mag 13 and fainter. I see nothing that would have caught John Herschel's attention in the field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1899 = h2821 on 30 Dec 1836 and reported as "F; R; very gradually brighter middle; 40"; 3 stars 10' [approximate] mag precede."
Eric Lindsay reports "Not found" in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud". Nevertheless, there appears to be a small very faint star and nebulosity (Henize 120-N 36) on the red DSS2 2' SE of Herschel's position. The Hodge-Wright Atlas states "possibly Henize 36". Two mag 11 stars and a mag 12.7 star precede LHA 120-N 36, roughly agreeing with "3 stars 10' m precede." See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this number.
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05 19 09 -63 01 24; Dor
V = 13.6; Size 1.7'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright,
moderately large, irregularly round, ~45" diameter, mottled with brighter
spots but no definite resolution.
A mag 14.5 star is 1' WSW and a few mag 15-15.5 stars are within 1' E.
Located 3.7' SE of mag 7.2
John Herschel discovered NGC 1900 = h2819 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "eF; pL; lE; very gradually very little brighter middle". In a second sweep, it appeared "pB; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25". Among many stars, one = 7m, np." His position and description (the mag 7 star is 3.7' NW) is accurate.
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05 18 16 -68 26 24; Dor
Size 15'
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): very
scattered cluster of stars in a 15' region. The central grouping, extending 7'x2.5', is the most compressed
with ~15 stars (7 of these are fairly bright). Perhaps 40 stars total within 15', including 10 brighter
stars. The brightest stars are mag
8.4
John Herschel discovered NGC 1901 = h2824 on 30 Dec 1836 and described "a star 7th mag. The most southern and largest of a large, brilliant but poor cluster which fills the field. Stars 8, 9 ... 12th mag." His position is close west of mag 7.6 HD 35230.
In "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (1964IrAJ....6..286L) Eric Lindsay comments, "Centered on CPD -68°347. A dozen fairly bright stars, of which CPD 68°347 is the brightest and most southern, scattered within 11' diameter. Could hardly be considered a cluster and resembles mroe nearly a field irregularity." The brighter field stars are not associated with the LMC. But "A stellar group in line of sight with the Large Magellanic Cloud." (1968AJ.....73..566S) concludes, "BV photometry of a stellar group first noticed by Bok in line of sight with the Large Magellanic Cloud indicates that the group is real. An H-R diagram shows an apparent main sequence with a turnoff near A0."
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05 18 18.3 -66 37 35; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 1.6'
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly
small, 40" diameter, weak concentration. Located 43' NE of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1902 = h2823 on 23 Nov 1834 and described as "pB; S; R; bM; 15"." On the fifth and final sweep he commented "globular; pB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 2' diameter. Resolved."
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NGC 1903 = ESO 056-093 = S-L 356
05 17 22.5 -69 20 17; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 1.9'x1.9'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
showpiece cluster is located just 10' SW of the
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1903 = D 125 = h2825 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded (handwritten notes) "small nebula, rather well defined." His reduced position was 10' too far south, but his handwritten drift notes placed it 18' due north of the next object, matching NGC 1898. Glen Cozens assigns D 127 to NGC 1903, but that number (two objects later in the drift) appears to describe NGC 1910.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1903 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and described it as "vB; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"." His position on 5 sweeps (all similar descriptions) is accurate.
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05 24 10.6 -24 31 27; Lep
V = 7.8; Size 6'; Surf Br = 0.0
13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): excellent view at 200x. Contains an intense, 1' core that was mottled and partially resolved, particularly around the edges. The halo was easily resolved with several dozen brighter members peppered within the halo and around the periphery (~40 stars counted) although there were no dense knots. Surrounding the inner core (nucleus) is a dense ring of high surface brightness which was very mottled. In good moments of seeing this ring broke up into a swarm of stars. Located 40' ENE of 5th magnitude h3752, a striking mag 5.5/6.7 pair at 3".
17.5" (1/9/99): at 280x, M79 was well resolved into several dozen stars. Contains a sharply concentrated intense core, ~2' in diameter which is clumpy, mottled and partially resolved at its periphery. The inner part of the halo was peppered with faint stars. The background haze drops off significantly towards the outer portion of the halo but a number of brighter stars are resolved including a nice arc of stars along the following edge of the halo. A evenly matched close pair is on the northeast side and a mag 12 star (a post-AGB star that belongs to the cluster) is at the north edge. Located 35' NE of naked-eye 5th magnitude h3752 (5.5/6.7 at 3").
17.5" (12/7/90): 40-50 stars resolved mostly in the halo or at the edge of the very mottled core. A string of six stars is just east of center and a long string passes through the core. The brightest mag 12.5 star is north of the core.
17.5" (12/3/88): three dozen stars resolved, mostly at the edges of the core and in the halo.
17.5" (12/19/87): at 220x, three dozen stars were resolved.
13.1" (1/19/85): at 360x, about 40 stars resolved in good seeing including a few over the core.
8" (9/25/81): small bright core, a few stars are resolved at the edge of the mottled core. The outer halo is well resolved in excellent conditions.
Pierre Méchain discovered M79 = NGC 1904 on 26 Oct 1780. He reported it to Messier, who confirmed its position on December 17th and included it in his 1781 catalogue (third and final).
Wolfgang Steinicke reports that William Herschel
independently discovered the cluster on 4 Mar 1783 with his 6.2-inch reflector
before he had a copy of the final Messier catalogue. The same night he discovered
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05 18 24 -67 16 42; Dor
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright LMC cluster, fairly small, round, 30" diameter. Contains an irregular, small knotty nucleus that was unresolved. NGC 1895 (HII region) lies 9' WSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1905 = h4016 on 2 Jan 1837 and described as "F, S, R, r[esolved]. It was catalogued in a "supplementary nebulae" list of objects at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) and identified as "h o n" (John Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.
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05 24 47.2 -15 56 34; Lep
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star is just off the SE edge 1.6' from center.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1906 = LM 1-148 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct (0.2 tmin too far east). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 21 Feb 1889 as well as Howe in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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05 28 05 +35 19 30; Aur
V = 8.2; Size 7'
17.5" (10/12/85): 50 stars in a 7' diameter. Includes a few bright stars but very
rich in fainter stars in the central region. A wide pair of mag 9.5-10 stars is at the south end (9.6/9.9
at 52") and a closer pair is off the NE side (h699 = 10.4/11.6 at
10"). Located 33' SSW of
13.1" (11/5/83): dense, about three dozen stars.
8" (11/5/83): rich, glowing cluster, compact, includes two bright stars to the south.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1907 = H. VII-39 = h354 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693) and noted "a pretty compressed cluster of small stars, near 4' diameter." It was observed again on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030) as "a pretty compressed cluster of small stars, considerably rich." John Herschel made three observations and reported on 5 Jan 1827 (42), "pretty rich; irreg round; stars 9...12m, 50 or 60 counted; bM."
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05 26 00 -02 32; Ori
= Not found, Corwin and Carlson.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1908 = H. V-33 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). He recorded "I suspect diffused eF milky nebulosity. The means of verifying this phenomenon are difficult." There is nothing at his position, just 23' ESE of Eta Orionis, the previous object logged in the sweep.
On 15 Jan 1868, Lord Rosse was "unable to say whether any diffused neby exists here. At the set there was a spot about 10' diam or so, where there was almost total absence of stars when compared with the surrounding parts, and either from this cause or some other, it was rather *darker*."
Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey Die Herschel-Nebel, reported "not found" and Harold Corwin, using the POSS, also reports no obvious nebulosity. So, NGC 1908 is either lost or nonexistent. See Corwin's notes for more information.
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05 25.9 -08 07; Ori
= Not found, Corwin. Nominal position given.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1909 = H. V-38 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 656) and recorded "strongly suspected nebulosity of very great extent. Not less than 2 degrees 11' of PD and 26s of RA." So, this "suspected nebulosity" stretched across several fields! Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates was unable to find Herschel's nebulosity. Originally Corwin suggested this giant north-south nebuosity may refer to IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula Herschel's rough position of H. V-36 is ~23 minutes of RA to far east but if his offset direction from Rigel was reversed (roughly 11 min of RA west instead of 11 min of RA east), then his corrected position would be a reasonable match with IC 2118. But it turns out the Herschel observed H. V-38 11 minutes after Rigel left the field, so obviously it can refer to IC 2118, which is well west of Rigel. So, this is apparently a case where Herschel was misled by subtle irregularities in the background sky or perhaps a reflection from a brighter star.
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NGC 1910 = ESO 056-099 = S-L 371 = LH 41 = LMC-N119
05 18 42.5 -69 14 12; Dor
V = 9.7; Size 10'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this large, bright cluster or star cloud (stellar association LH 41) contains the variable star S Doradus (8.6-11.5), the brightest star in the LMC and one of the brightest known stars (absolute magnitude -9). At 200x, roughly 100 stars mag 11-15 were resolved in a 7' region with some extensions increasing the diameter another couple of arc minutes. S Doradus is the brightest star in the main portion of the cluster, though there are several other mag 11 and 12 stars. S-L 360 is on the NW side (2' N of S Dor) and appeared as a small bright knot that was clearly non-stellar and surrounded by a thin, fainter halo (ring of faint stars on DSS). HDE 269333, a mag 11.2 Wolf-Rayet binary (WN+B) lies 1.6' NNE of S-L 360.
The cluster is embedded in LMC-N119, a very large, bright emission nebula. The most prominent section of the nebula is a very bright 3' patch to the east of S-L 360 and a wing to the south of S-L 360 that responds well to a UHC filter at 200x. Nebulosity is also visible on the west side of S Doradus. This section curves N-S to S-L 360 and also south of S Doradus. To the south of NGC 1910, a northwest to southeast stream extends a couple of degrees and includes dozens of LMC clusters with NGC 1903, an impressive globular, situated 10' SW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1910 = D 129 = D 127 = h2827 on 3 Aug 1826. He described "A pretty large and very ill-defined nebula, irregular round figure, with several stars of some considerable magnitude in it." His position is unusually accurate. He recorded it again on his second drift of 24 Sep 1826 as D 127: "faint ill defined nebula following a cluster of very small stars - irregular figure branched into small nebulae." His reduced position was 12' too far SSW, but it well placed in the drift between NGC 1898 and NGC 1916.
John Herschel first recorded NGC 1910 in Dec 1834 (sweep 523) as a "fine cluster. Irregular figure, the chief nucleus (which seems to be a close double star, 9th mag) taken." On 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) he called it "The most condensed knot ( = 12 arcseconds) in a pretty rich, L, scattered cluster." The next night (sweep 657), he logged it as "p rich L cluster 10' diameter. It has in it a close triple star, easily taken for a nebulous knot. (N.B. This is doubtless the knot taken in the three foregoing observations...)."
In a 1953 paper, Harlow Shapley and Virginia Nail defined NGC 1910 as the center of "Constellation V", a 24' region containing numerous blue supergiants.
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05 20 33.0 -66 46 44; Dor
Size 1.2'
See observing notes for NGC 1920.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1911 = h2826 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30", among may stars." He only logged this object on one sweep and there is nothing at his position. Jenni Kay and Harold Corwin suggest NGC 1911 is probably be a duplicate observation of NGC 1920, which was recorded on 7 sweeps but not on the one in which he recorded NGC 1911. Herschel's position is 80 sec of RA west of this cluster and his description is a reasonable match.
Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in
the Large Magellanic Cloud" writes "Not found. This should be WNW of
NGC 1920. This is No 2826 in Herschel's general Catalogue to which there is
reference under
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05 28 43 +35 51 18; Aur
V = 6.4; Size 21'
18" (1/17/09): at 175x this gorgeous cluster extends 25'-30' in diameter and contains roughly 200 stars in many irregular groupings. A very pretty string of stars extends N-S out the north side. Includes a very large number of mag 10-12 stars (fairly uniform) with many of the stars group very irregularly in long chains and loops. Some of these chains outline the periphery of nearly starless voids including the unconcentrated center which contains starless patches. NGC 1907 is located 33' SSW, though the two clusters were likely born in different parts of the galaxy.
8": large, bright, rich cluster with many 10th magnitude stars, square or cruciform shape, includes a number of double stars. A number of stars are arranged in strings.
Naked-eye (10/24/11): just glimpsed in very dark skies.
Giovanni Hodierna discovered M38 = NGC 1912 before
1654. He wrote "In this
constellation [Auriga] three nebulous patches can be observed", though
only two objects are clearly shown on his map (better matching the orientation
of
William Herschel first observed the cluster with the 18.7" on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693). He logged it as "a very large cluster of scattered large stars, extremely rich and beautiful." It was seen again on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030), along with M36. After his sweeps had ended, he observed it on 23 Nov 1805 with the large 10-foot reflector: "A cluster of scattered, pretty large [bright] stars of various magnitudes, of an irregular figure. It is in the Milky Way."
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05 18 18.7 -69 32 15; Dor
V = 11.1; Size 1.3'x1.1'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an interesting LMC cluster and nebula at 200x. On the south edge is a small triangle of mag 13-14 stars (12"-15" on each side) and another three stars within the cluster are resolved. The cluster is involved an elongated bright nebulous glow NNW to SSE and at 350x additional nebulosity surrounds the main glow for a total size of 1.5'x1.0'. A mag 11.7 star lies 1.7' E and a mag 10 star 2.2' SW.
Continuing southwest for 2' beyond the mag 10 star I also picked up S-L 362, which appeared as a small, high surface brightness knot. At 350x, 5 or 6 very faint stars were tightly packed into the bright 20" diameter glow, the brightest at the south edge. These clusters are within the glow of the central bar, so the background is relatively bright.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1913 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as#356 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." No description was given in the GC or NGC but his position is just 1' SE of this small cluster.
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05 17 40 -71 15 24; Men
V = 12.0; Size 2'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright cluster and HII region, elongated NNW-SSE, at least a half-dozen stars resolved over an irregular glow extending 1.5'. Good contrast gain with a NPB filter at 152x. The size increases to ~2' and a small, very bright patch (LHa 120-N195A) is prominent on the northwest end. A mag 12 star is 4' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1914 = h2830 on 3 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; L; irreg R; 3'." On a second sweep he logged "F; pL; irreg fig; resolvable; 2' l, 90" br." His mean position is accurate.
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05 19 38.5 -66 47 59; Dor
Size 0.5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly small knot of four mag 14-14.5 stars with perhaps some unresolved haze, ~40" diameter. Appears to be an asterism only and unimpressive. Three mag 11-12 stars lie 2'-3' E and emission nebula NGC 1920 is 6' ENE.
This identification of NGC 1915 is very uncertain and this
number may refer instead to open cluster
John Herschel discovered NGC 1915 = h2828 on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded "extremely faint, pretty large. (Possibly the same with No. 2826 [NGC 1911], but the nebulae are so crowded that they may with equal probability be different ones)." Herschel's position is 4' S of ESO 085-SC71 and ESO identifies this cluster as NGC 1915.
Jenni Kay says a faint cluster exists at the original position and the ESO cluster is too small and faint. On the DSS, there are only three mag 14 stars and a few very faint stars near Herschel's position, which to me was not eye-catching enough in the 24" to fit JH's description (mentioned to Corwin in a Feb 2014 email). In the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Eric Lindsay reported "Not found. This should be WSW of NGC 1920...". RNGC follows Lindsay and notes "Not Found". So, the identification of this number is uncertain. See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 1916 = ESO 056-098 = S-L 361
05 18 37.6 -69 24 25; Dor
V = 10.4; Size 2.1'x2.1'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC globular appeared very bright, moderately large, round, symmetric, 45" diameter. The center was sharply concentrated with a small blazing core! NGC 1903, a showpiece globular, lies 8' NW.
NGC 1916 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. It resides within the LMC's central bar, ~10' S of the large NGC 1910 complex, which contains S Doradus.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1916 on 24 Sep 1826. He logged a "small much condensed nebula, well defined, 12" diameter." His position in the drift follows NGC 1910 by 36 seconds of time and 12' S. These offsets point directly to NGC 1916. Dunlop didn't assign the observation a separate catalog number.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1916 = h2829 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) with description, "vB; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate. Shapley and Lindsay ("A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, Vol. 6, 1963) give a diameter of 60'' and comment "NGC 1916, very condensed centre, unresolved." The RA has a misprint of 1 minute too small and this error was copied into the RNGC.
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05 19 02.0 -69 00 05; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.7'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster (possible a globular) appeared fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1' diameter, with a broad concentration. A 1' string of 3 faint stars to the east is collinear with the cluster. S-L 397 lies 8' NE, and appeared as a compact, but relatively bright, elongated glow with an irregular or mottled surface, ~30" diameter.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1917 = D 130 = h2831 on 25 Sep 1826. He logged "a very faint small round nebula." His position is about 10' to the east, similar to his other errors in time (RA) in the drift. If this identification is correct, it suggests that D 132, which was found the same night, applies to S-L 397. The offset is this case is 8' to the east.
John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1917 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) and recorded "vF, L, R, gradually very little brighter middle, 1'." His position is accurate.
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05 19 04.5 -69 38 56; Dor
V = 9.8; Size 7'x4'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
a combination LMC cluster and nebula (contains the embedded SNR
These stars are immersed in a diffuse nebulous glow that responds well to a UHC filter. The brightest section is a patch just east of the double star (LMC-N120C), but nebulosity extends throughout the cluster as an elongated glow of ~5' length. On images the nebulosity appears more like an arc or rim with some filamentary structure.
LMC-N127A, located 12' E, was observed in the 30" on 10/18/17. At 264x this emission nebula was bright, compact, roundish, 40" diameter. A star was visible at the center. Very good response to the NPB (narrow-band) filter and displayed a slightly brighter central region and thin fainter outer halo. Forms a "pair" with open cluster S-L 418 2' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1918 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as #369 in his catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." Corwin notes that Herschel's position falls between two bright knots near the supernova remnant.
Williamina Fleming classified the Wolf-Rayet star Brey 22 as an O-type star.
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NGC 1919 = LMC-N37 = ESO 085-73 = S-L 392
05 20 15 -66 53 00; Dor
Size 2.5'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): large group of ~10 stars mag 13.5-15 in an irregular 2.5' group. The stars are involved in a fairly bright patch of nebulosity (LMC-N37), which probably including some unresolved stars. A 6' elongated string of mag 11-12 stars is centered roiughly 3' N and NGC 1920 is 6' NNE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1919 = h2832 on 3 Jan 1837 and described a "cluster, 6th class, extremely faint, large, irregularly round, 4' diameter. Resolved into small stars with nebulous light." His position (single sweep) is accurate. NGC 1915 may be a duplicate observation (see that number).
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NGC 1920 = LMC-N38 = ESO 085-74
05 20 33.0 -66 46 44; Dor
V = 12.5; Size 1.2'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, high surface brightness HII region, relatively large, round, ~50" diameter. One or two stars are resolved within the glow. NGC 1919 lies 6' SSW.
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this HII region (LMC-N38) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, smooth glow. Located ~3' NE of a line of three mag 11-11.5 stars. NGC 1902 lies 16' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1920 = h2833 on 2 Nov 1834 and observed on at least seven different sweeps! On the initial observation he logged "pB, S, R, very gradually brighter middle, 20"." The remaining observations were fairly similar, though his size estimates ranged up to 60" and 2' across. NGC 1911 (seen on only 1 sweep) is possibly a duplicate (essentially an 8th observation) -- though the RA is off by 1 min 20 sec.
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05 19 23 -69 47 18; Dor
V = 12.3; Size 1.0'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright but small nebulous glow, with a mag 13.5 star [or an extremely compact emission nebula (N121) or cluster] just off the west edge [20" separation]. A very faint star was visible at its southwest edge. There was only a weak response to an NPB filter at 152x. Located at the south end of a very rich region of the LMC (south side of the central bar) just 8' S of the NGC 1918 complex. Numerous other clusters lie ~15' N. A faint cluster H-S 227 was noticed 2' SW. It was a very faint, roundish, low surface brightness glow, ~20" diameter.
James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1921 = D 89 = h2834 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded "a pretty well-defined round nebula, about 20" diameter." Although his reduced published position was 15' too far ESE, reference to his handwritten sweep record shows a plausible match. With respect to D 90 = NGC 1939 (the next object in the drift) he logged D 89 just 40 seconds prior and 10' N. Although the declination offset matches, the time (RA) is off by over a minute.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1921 = h2834 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; oval; r; 40"." His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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05 19 49.7 -69 30 04; Dor
V = 11.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC cluster appears as a very small but high surface brightness knot, ~15" diameter with a tiny 8" core. A 3' chain of four mag 11-12 stars extends to the north and another chain extends to the east. A very close pair of faint clusters, S-L 385 and 387, lie 3' SW. The clusters are close twins - both soft round glows of ~30" diameter and separated by just 45" in an E-W orientation.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1922 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and included it as object #374 his table of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." Dreyer added the cluster to the GC Supplement as #5063. Herschel's position is 1.5' too far north. It's possible that James Dunlop's D 131 refers to NGC 1922, but there are several nearby candidates, so assigning it to NGC 1922 seems very speculative.
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05 21 33.0 -65 29 16; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 0.9'
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, irregular glow, ~1'x0.5', brighter center. Just following a group of faint stars elongated NNW-SSE. This is a cluster (part of stellar association LH 43) and HII region (N40) although I didn't test to see if there was a filter response. Locate 49' E of NGC 1866.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1923 = h2835 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; R; 30"." A faint and poor cluster precedes." His position is accurate. The poor cluster that precedes is part of stellar association LH 43.
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05 28 01.9 -05 18 39; Ori
V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 130°
17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large,
slightly elongated. Located 6.7'
SE of mag 8.5
William Herschel discovered NGC 1924 = H. III-447 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458), though his position was 3.6' too far south. He classified this galaxy as a cluster with description "vF, pL, R, within 2 or 3' of the corner of a hook of vS stars." George Bond found NGC 1924 again on 7 Feb 1863 at Harvard College Observatory with the 15-inch Merz refractor and measured an accurate position (#12 in the HC discovery list in AN #1453). Édouard Stephan made an observation on 16 Jan 1877. Finally, Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 3 Feb 1905 at the Nice Observatory and assumed it was new. He included it as J. 1524 in his unpublished 4th catalog of nebulae.
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05 21 44 -65 47 36; Dor
V = 9.5; Size 11'
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, appears as a 10'
star cloud (association LH 45) of brighter mag 10-11 stars over a background
carpet of faint stars and either haze or unresolved stars. The brightest mag 9.6 star (
John Herschel discovered NGC 1925 = h2837 on 30 Nov 1834 and described a "Cluster 8th class; poor; scattered stars; a *10 mag the chief, in southern part taken." His position is close to the brightest star on the south end.
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05 20 35.4 -69 31 33; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 1.4'x1.2'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
bright LMC cluster appeared moderately large, ~55" diameter, irregularly
round with a high surface brightness.
Located between two mag 11.5 stars 1' S and 1.5' N. Located along the central bar with NGC
1922 4.2' WNW and
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1926 on 3 Aug 1826. He described D 131 as "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." and his position is just 2' to the NE.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1926 = h2838 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and recorded "pB; R; 60". Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major." On 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) he wrote "pB; pL; irreg R; r. Field full of light, consisting partly of stars, and partly of resolvable nebula." His positions on these sweeps matches this cluster.
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05 28 42 -08 23; Ori
= Not found, Carlson and Corwin.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1927 = h356 on 8 Jan 1831 and
reported "all about this place there exists diffused
nebulosity." His position
corresponds with mag 6.8
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NGC 1928 = ESO 056-106 = S-L 405
05 20 57.5 -69 28 41; Dor
V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.3'
24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter with a symmetrical appearance. Forms the last of three clusters with NGC 1926 3.4' SW and NGC 1922 6' WSW, along the richly populated central bar. A very distinctive trapezoid of four mag 10-11 stars (sides 1'-1.5') is just a couple of arc minutes to the NE. NGC 1928 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1928 = h2839 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and recorded "pB; R; 60". Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major." On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748), he wrote "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle. Field full of the nebulous light of the great Nubecula."
James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1928 earlier on 3 Aug 1826. He described D 131 as "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." and his position is just 1.7' S of NGC 1928, but also just 2' NE of NGC 1926. I'd be surprised if Dunlop picked up one of these clusters and not the other, so perhaps neither identification is correct. Another possibility is D 131 refers to NGC 1922, which is 5.6' W of his position! With several nearby clusters, I don't see how D 131 can be assigned to a specific cluster with any confidence (Steinicke gives both NGC 1926 and 1928).
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05 21 38.3 -67 54 50; Dor
V = 12.4; Size 1.1'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
HII knot is the first in an impressive star cluster/emission complex (stellar
association LH 47) that extends over 7' in size and includes
On the DSS this object appears to be a symmetrical bubble. This HII complex and cluster includes the Superbubble complex N44.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1929 = h2840 on 23 Nov 1834 and simply noted "F. The preceding nucleus of the compound nebula figured in fig. 2, Plate III. Place by Delta RA and PD, from the chief nucleus measured on diagram." The sketch clearly established this number refers to the northernmost knot in the complex along the west side.
James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, which contains NGC 1929, on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826. He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes. The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all." Dunlop's position is roughly 5' SSW of the complex and NGC 1929 might be one of the "seats of attraction."
The SIMBAD position is 1.4' too far northeast and does not correspond with a bright knot.
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05 25 56.5 -46 43 43; Pic
V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 32°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): moderately bright, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, brighter core, 0.8'x0.6'. A distinctive collinear trio of mag 11-11.5 stars (2.6' length) is a few arc minutes west.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1930 = h2836 on 29 Dec 1834 and
recorded, "vF; S; R gradually little brighter middle; 15"; has 4 B
stars preceding." His
position matches
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05 31 26 +34 14 42; Aur
V = 11.3; Size 3'x3'
18" (1/20/07): bright, high surface brightness nebula,
~2'x1.5', surrounds six stars including two mag 11/12 stars, a mag 13 star and
three fainter stars. The central
four stars = ADS 4112 (one difficult in fairly poor seeing) form a small
trapezium asterism. The best view
was unfiltered.
17.5" (2/8/86): five stars including ADS 4112 (mag 11.5/12.3/13 at 8" and 10") are located within a bright, small nebulosity of high surface brightness. A sixth very faint star is just outside the nebula. Dims with OIII filter.
13.1" (11/5/83 and 2/16/85): five or six stars involved including three close fairly bright stars. A fourth very faint star to the west, fifth very faint star NE and sixth extremely faint star west. This is a bright, high surface brightness nebulosity.
8" (11/8/80): compact, striking nebulosity involving several stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1931 = H. I-261 = h355 on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030). His description reads, "very bright, irregularly round, about 4 or 5' diameter, seems to have one or two stars in the middle or an irregular nucleus. The chevelure (halo) dimishes very gradually." On 5 Jan 1827 (sweep 42), John Herschel reported "a triple star in a nebula. A most curious object. The nebula surrounds the stars like an atmosphere." The observation was sandwiched between observing M38 and M36.
The observers using Lord Rosse's 72" reported 5 to 6 stars were involved on various nights. The first observation was made by George Johnstone Stoney on 29 Nov 1848, though he only noted "saw a multitude of stars and some unresolved nebulositiy."
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05 22 17.3 -66 09 16; Dor
= *, Corwin
John Herschel discovered NGC 1932 + 1933 = h2841 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; eS; bM; 10"." On a later sweep he called it a "double nebula; pos 260°, 80". The first pB; S; R; 30". The second eF; R; almost stellar." The second nebula was only recorded on one sweep (#538) out of 5 total. Based on this description, though, JH assigned two GC numbers (1138 and 1139), which became NGC 1932 and 1933. But there is only a single cluster at his position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1932 with a mag 13 star just west of the cluster.
Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L] writes "[NGC 1932 and NGC 1933] seem to be the same, a small compact fairly conspicuous open cluster, S/L 420. The supposedly fainter was observed in only one of five sweeps by Herschel. Dreyer therefore questioned it as a variable nebula." ESO also identifies the cluster as NGC 1932 = NGC 1933 but only the latter number should apply to the cluster.
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05 22 27.3 -66 09 08; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 1.2'
13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, compact with a fairly high surface brightness. Two mag 11 stars aligned WNW-ESE lie 2' NNE and 3' NNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1933 + 1932 = h2841 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; eS; bM; 10"." On the third of five sweeps, he described this object as "a double neb; pos 260 deg; dist 80", hence the two GC and NGC entries. But there is only a single cluster at his position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1932 with a mag 13 star just west of the cluster and NGC 1933 with the cluster. ESO and the S-L catalogue calls the cluster NGC 1932 = NGC 1933, though only a single number (NGC 1933) should apply to the cluster.
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NGC 1934 = BSDL 1363 = ESO 056-109 = = LH 47
05 21 46.9 -67 56 14; Dor
Size 1.1'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
a locally brighter patch in the NGC 1929-34-35-36-37 complex (stellar
association LH 47), situated immediately northwest of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1934 = h2842 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "The second nucleus of the compound nebula figured in fig 2, Plate III, from diagram." The resolution on the pdf of Herschel's sketch in the LMC is not sharp enough to identify which "knot" JH is referring to within the complex (NGC 1929, 1935, 1936, 1937). At the position indicated here (from Corwin), there is nothing that stands out on the DSS or in my observation, other than a few stars. The "LMC extended catalog" (Bica+, 1999) places the center of NGC 1934 2' further north and there is another "knot" near this position on JH's sketch.
James Dunlop first observed the entire LH 47 association = D 175 on 27 Sep 1826, though NGC 1934 is probably not one of the "seats of attraction" in his description.
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NGC 1935 = IC 2126 = LMC-N44B = ESO 056-110 = LH 47 = S-L 417
05 21 58 -67 57 20; Dor
V = 11.2; Size 1.2'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this
emission glow forms a pair
Superimposed on this entire complex of HII knots is a rich concentration of stars (S-L 417 = KMHK 822). As John Herschel described NGC 1935 on one sweep as "one of the chief nuclei or knots of a large irregular cluster nebula", this number along with NGC 1936 could also apply to the cluster. Nail and Shapley designated the OB association centered on NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937 as "Constellation I" in a 1953 paper on the Magellanic Clouds
James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, containing NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826. He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes. The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all." Dunlop's position is roughly 5' SSW of the complex, a fairly good match. It seems safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936 (JH only credited Dunlop with the latter).
John Herschel found NGC 1935 = h2843 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; S; R. One of the chief nuclei or knots of a large irregular cluster nebula." He next logged it as "F, S, R. The third of a group of four nebulae connected by stars." His third observation saw it as "the second nebula of a group of three." His final sweep was recorded as "the first bright nebulous head of a large beautiful irregular cluster of resolved stars." His detailed sketch is in Plate III, figure 2.
Williamina Fleming discovered the gaseous spectra of NGC 1935 on Harvard objective plates taken in 1901 at the Arequipa station and Dreyer catalogued Fleming 90 as IC 2126, although the IC position is just 5 sec of RA west of NGC 1935. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas labels this nebula as IC 2126 instead of NGC 1935 (same with NGC 1936 = IC 2127).
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NGC 1936 = IC 2127 = LMC-N44C = ESO 056-111 = LH 47
05 22 12.6 -67 58 32; Dor
V = 11.6; Size 1.1'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC
1936 is situated at the south end of a large cluster and HII complex. It appeared as a very bright, round
glow, ~1' diameter with a very high, uniform surface brightness at 200x using a
UHC filter. Additional fainter
nebulosity sweeps to the south and is connected with a fainter (anonymous)
patch to the west by 1'. This
extension increases the total size to 2' to 2.5'. NGC 1935 lies 2' NW.
This number also applies to the cluster (S-L 417) that spreads out the
north. Mag 8.5
James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, consisting of NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826. He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes. The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all." Dunlop's position (2 observations) is roughly 5' SSW of the complex. It seems safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936, the brightest knots in the complex.
John Herschel observed NGC 1936 = h2844 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; S; R. Another chief nucleus or knot of the cluster nebula." He next logged it as "pB, S, R, The fourth of a group of four, connected by stars, etc." On the third sweep, he wrote "the third nebula in a group of 3." The 4th sweep saw it as "the last of three nebulae in a zig-zag formed cluster." On his 5th sweep, he noted "the southern and brightest nebular nucleus of a great branching cluster." His detailed sketch of the entire complex is on Plate III, figure 2.
Williamina Fleming discovered the gaseous spectra of NGC
1936 on Harvard objective plates taken in 1901 at Arequipa and Dreyer
catalogued Fleming 91 as
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05 22 25 -67 53 42; Dor
V = 10.4; Size 2.8'x2.0'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this object is the furthest northeast in a gorgeous field of stars and HII regions. NGC 1937 is a large nebulous patch, ~3.7'x2.7' in size, with ~20 stars resolved over the bright glow. Excellent contrast gain using a UHC filter at 200x. A string of stars mag 11.5 and fainter oriented WSW-ENE passes through the center of the cluster or star cloud (association LH 48).
NGC 1936, a very bright nebulous glow, lies 5' S, and other sections of the N44 superbubble complex lie to the southwest including NGC 1929, 1935 and IC 2126. Superimposed on this complex of HII glows is a fairly rich concentration of stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1937 = h2845 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL. An outlier of the group figured in Plate III No. 2. Place from diagram." His detailed sketch (Plate III, figure 2) clearly established that h2845 refers to this nebulous cluster. James Dunlop discovered the entire LH 47 association = D 175 on 27 Sep 1826 and referred to "several seats of attraction". I doubt that NGC 1937 was one of these, though Wolfgang Steinicke credits Dunlop with the discovery.
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05 21 24.9 -69 56 22; Men
V = 13.0; Size 0.6'
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, nearly even surface brightness. The bright LMC globular cluster NGC 1939 is only 40" SSE. At 429x I noticed a dim cluster, KMK88 50, just 1.8' N of NGC 1938. It was just a very faint, very small knot, 15", low surface brightness.
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fainter of a close pair of clusters with brighter NGC 1939 to the south-southeast by just 40". At 303x, NGC 1938 appeared fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1938 + NGC 1939 = h2848 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded a "B; R; a double nebula (clouding over)." On a second observation he recorded "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; a double neb. It has a vF neb (NGC 1939) attached np." On a third sweep (of 4) he logged "A double neb. Pos 339.1; 50" dist; each F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 35" and 30"." Herschel catalogued both objects individually in the GC (1144 and 1145). See Corwin's notes for more on the clusters.
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NGC 1939 = ESO 056-108 = S-L 414
05 21 26.5 -69 56 59; Men
V = 11.8; Size 1.2'
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, high surface brightness with an intensely bright nucleus. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 1938 only 0.8' N. NGC 1939 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. A mag 10.7 star is 3' SE.
While looking for this cluster I picked up an unplotted cluster, Hodge-Sexton 253, situated 6.6' SE of NGC 1939 and 3.7' SE of the mag 10.7 star. It appeared moderately bright, round, ~35" diameter, no significant concentration. S-L 412, situated 7' N of NGC 1939, was a roundish, fairly faint glow, ~24" diameter. In addtion, LMC-N127A lies 16' N of NGC 1939. At 264x this emission nebula was bright, compact, roundish, 40" diameter, with a star visible at the center. Very good response to the NPB (narrow-band) filter with a slightly brighter central region and thin fainter halo.. It forms a "pair" with open cluster S-L 418 2' NE.
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, fairly small,
round, 45" diameter, high surface brightness, mottled, contains a very
bright core. Forms a close pair
with NGC 1938 just 0.8' NNW. A mag
10.7 star lies 2.9' SE.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1939 = D 90 = h2848 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded "a small round faint nebula 12" or 15" diameter. North preceding a small star." His poorly reduced position was 13' too far SE, his offsets to NGC 1943, the next object in the drift, is a perfect match. On 27 Sep, he recorded "a faint elliptical nebula north of a very small star, 15" or 20" diameter. Again, his offsets from the next two objects in the drift (NGC 1943 and NGC 1950) are a close match. Since Dunlop only recorded a single a single object, NGC 1938 and 1939 were unresolved or he only saw NGC 1939. See Corwin's notes for more on NGC 1938 and 1939.
John Herschel observed NGC 1938/1939 (single designation h2848) on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and described a "B; R; a double nebula (clouding over)." The following month (sweep 523) he recorded "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; a double nebula. It has a vF neb attached np." On 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657), he wrote "A double neb. Pos 339.1; 50" dist; each F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 35" and 30".
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05 22 44.9 -67 11 10; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 0.4'
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright but relatively small knot, triangular shape, 30" diameter, clumpy with a few stars just resolved. Forms the western vertex of a small equilateral triangle with a mag 10 star 1' E and a mag 11.5 star 1' S. The mag 10 star has an 11th magnitude companion following at 27".
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. No resolution. Cradled by three mag 10-11 stars 1.2' S, 1.1' E and 1.5' E. Located 52' E of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus in the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1940 = h1146 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) and described the cluster as "pB; S; R; bM. Has 2 st 9 and 10 mag following." His position and description is a perfect match.
James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster on the 27 Sep 1826 drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor), so all positions were reduced incorrectly (2.4° to the SE in this case). He described D 184 as "a very small round nebula, 8" diameter." But his offset from NGC 1871/1869, the previous object in the drift, is both west and south of NGC 1940. Another possibility is D 212, recorded on 6 Nov 1826 as a "small faint ill-defined nebula." But again his position is a poor match -- 26' E of the cluster -- and the description too generic to assign it with any confidence to NGC 1940. So, neither observation is likely.
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05 23 07.4 -66 22 41; Dor
V = 12.0; Size 0.9'
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round,
15" diameter. One or two very
faint stars are resolved. Located
2.7' N of a mag 10 star and 12' NW of
John Herschel discovered NGC 1941 = h2846 on 20 Dec 1835 and described as "a nebulous group or knot." His single position is ~30" too far southeast.
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05 24 45 -63 56 30; Dor
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'
18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): this LMC cluster
appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25"-30" diameter, fairly
low even surface brightness. A mag 13.7 star is at the north
edge. A mag 10.8 star is 4.5' SE
and a mag 10.2 star is 8' ESE. The
galaxy
John Herschel discovered NGC 1942 = h2849 on 30 Nov 1834 and described "a star 14th mag, with an eF nebula about it." His second observation was recorded as "very faint. (Cloudy) (N.B. The PD has been probably spoiled by the clouds)". But Herschel's second observation through the clouds has the correct PD and his first was off by ~3'. Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos observed the cluster visually in 1926 with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory. They reported it as "A star, 13 mag, with the nebulosity touching it due south about 40" diameter. Probably star is accidental."
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NGC 1943 = LMC-N130 = ESO 056-114 = S-L 430
05 22 29.4 -70 09 18; Men
V = 11.9
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large, round, thin halo, 0.8' diameter, quite mottled but not resolved in poor seeing. A mag 14 star is just off the NNE edge, 0.6' from center. I didn't use the NPD filter, but the red DSS shows some nebulosity is involved (LHA 120-N130). NGC 1938 and 1939, a very close pair of clusters, lies 14' NNW.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1943 = D 91 = h2850 on 24 Sep 1826. He noted it as "a small faint round nebula, 12" to 15" diameter. His poorly reduced position was 13' to the SE, but his offset from NGC 1939, the previous object in the drift, is an exact match. He logged it again on the 27th and his handwritten drift timings match in offset to both NGC 1939 and NGC 1950, the clusters logged immediately before and afterwards.
John Herschel rediscovered the cluster in Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "pB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"." On 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) he wrote "vF; 40"; has a *15m at 60" dist, pos = 19.6°." His position is accurate.
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05 21 57 -72 29 42; Men
V = 11.8; Size 3.2'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, fairly large, round, thin halo, 1.2' diameter, mottled, only a few stars resolved around the edges of the halo. A mag 13.5-14 star is off the SW edge, a mag 15.5 star is at the NW edge. Situated within a nice group of stars including four nearby mag 12.5 stars; 1.4' SE, 2' SSE, 2' N and 3.4' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1944 = h2852 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "pB; R; bM; 90"." His position is just off the NW side of this globular cluster.
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NGC 1945 = LMC-N48E = ESO 085-083
05 24 55 -66 27 24; Dor
Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
200x unfiltered, this LMC HII region (N48E) appeared fairly faint, fairly
small, ~30" diameter. The
shape is irregular and brighter along the south edge.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1945 = h2851 on 3 Jan 1837 and reported "eeF, vvL. Great blotches of diffused nebulosity." I logged a small, brighter patch of nebulosity on the south side of a large annular ring or loop of nebulosity. Herschel's description implies a much larger object than I described, though his position is an excellent match with this patch. I'd be surprised if he picked up the entire loop so perhaps the richness of the star field mimicked "diffused nebulosity". See Harold Corwin's notes on this number.
Karl Henize in the 1956 "Catalogues of Hydrogen Alpha Emission Stars and Nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds" (ApJS 2, p315), notes his object LHa N120-48 "includes NGC 1945." LHa N120-48 measures 12.3' east-west and 15.2' north-south. It has a slightly irregular outline, is very elongated and shows appreciable structure. LHa N120-48E (33" x 36", somewhat irregular outline, considerably elongated) lies at the centre of NGC 1945.
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NGC 1946 = ESO 085-84 = S-L 454
05 25 16 -66 23 42; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 1.0'
24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright LMC cluster, fairly small, irregularly round, high surface bright glow, 30" diameter. Although this knot was not resolved, it is situated in a glorious rich star field surrounded by numerous stars. A stream of stars, oriented SW to NE, seems to pass through NGC 1946, extending southwest to NGC 1945 (4.4' SSW) and northeast to NGC 1948, a magnificent star cloud and HII complex ~8' NNE. A brighter, parallel stream, consisting of stars of mixed magnitudes and unresolved glow (stars or nebulosity) is roughly 3' W, extending at least 10' SW to NE.
S-L 470 lies 7' E. Observed with a 25" on 4/3/19 it appeared bright, fairly small, round, compact, 35" diameter, contains a very small bright nucleus.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1946 = h2854 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable." Herschel credits Dunlop with the discovery (D 237), though in the GC and NGC a question mark was added. Dunlop's position matches this cluster very well though the description "a rather large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, of an irregular round figure, no central attraction" implies a much larger object -- probably NGC 1948, whose center is just 6' NNE of his position.
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NGC 1947 = ESO 085-087 = AM 0526-634 = PGC 17296
05 26 47.5 -63 45 37; Dor
V = 10.6; Size 3.0'x2.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 119°
18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly bright and
large, slightly elongated, ~2.5'x2.0', well concentrated with a bright core
that gradually increased to the center.
A mag 9.7 star (
S-L 509 appeared fairly faint, fairly large, irregular glow, ~1.2' diameter, mottled. A mag 14.5 star is resolved at the SW edge of the glow and a mag 15.5 star is at the north edge.
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, large, round, contains a large, very bright core surrounded by a fainter halo with a total diameter of ~3'. Within the brighter 2' core is a sharply concentrated brighter nucleus. This is an impressive S0 or E-galaxy at 200x due to the high surface brightness core and several brightness levels. Situated in the northern outskirts of the LMC with S-L 509, a faint LMC cluster, 21' NE. On images, a dust lane bisects the minor axis of this elliptical, though this feature wasn't noticed.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1947 = h2855 on 5 Nov 1826 with
his 9" reflector, although due to an oversight he failed to include it in
his 1828 catalogue (
John Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 30 Nov 1834 (sweep 515) and described it as "pB, L, R, gradually little brighter middle; 2.5' diameter, a star 9th mag N.p.". There is nothing at his position but exactly 1° north is ESO 85-87, an unusual elliptical with a minor-axis dust lane, with the mag 9.7 star mentioned above matching his description.
Due to Herschel's erroneous position, Joseph Turner was unable to find it when he searched for it on 12 Dec 1878 with the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope. Interestingly, Pietro Baracchi was unsuccessful in finding NGC 1947 on two attempts with the Melbourne telescope, but reported finding a new nebula nearby (perhaps S-L 556) on 3 Jan 1886 that was confirmed the next night (no sketch to confirm). Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos observed it visually in 1926 with the 26-inch refractor at the Union Observatory and assumed the galaxy was a globular cluster and compared it to 47 Tucanae! Innes wrote, "very condensed globular, bM, 2' diam, a miniature of [47 Tuc]."
Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (1964IrAJ....6..286L), notes "The Decl. [recorded by Herschel] seems to be in error and the object is the well-known galaxy 1° N." In a paper on LMC clusters, Kontizas et al misidentifies KMH90-878 as NGC 1947 because of the dec error, though there doesn't appear to be a cluster on the DSS at the Kontizas position.
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NGC 1948 = ESO 085-85 = S-L 458 = LMC-N48 = LH 52
05 25 46 -66 15 51; Dor
V = 10.6; Size 8'
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a large, well-resolved star cloud (stellar association LH 52) and emission nebula. The richest section is ~8' diameter, with a roughly diamond shape. Approximately 60 stars were resolved at 260x over haze. A fairly large, nebulous knot (LMC-N48B) was visible on the southwest side, ~1.2' diameter, and it responded well to a UHC filter. A couple of other very small knots or clumps of stars were visible at the center (LMC-N48A and N48C). Two parallel streams of stars and unresolved haze (roughly 3' apart), oriented SW to NE, extended southwest from NGC 1948 through NGC 1946 to NGC 1945. The western string was brighter, consisting of a number of mag 12-14 stars along with an unresolved glow (stars and/or nebulosity) extending at least 10'. These objects are located on the west side of the huge LMC-4 Superbubble.
LMC-N49, located 11' NNE, is the brightest LMC supernova
remnant and it harbors a powerful pulsar.
At 260x unfiltered, it appeared as a bright "U" shape just
under 1' in diameter with the center of the "U" at the east end (base
oriented SW-NE) and open on the west side. The interior is much dimmer than the rim. The brightest spot is right at the east
end, though the rim is much brighter and better defined along the entire
base. The northern bar of the
"U" side is fainter and oriented NW-SE with some haze spreading into
the interior. The southern bar is
brighter and narrower. A UHC
filter increased the contrast and there were hints of more complex filamentary
structure. Located 3.7' ENE of mag
9.0
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this is a fairly
large star group in the LMC. Over
a dozen mag 12-13 stars were resolved in a triangular group, ~6' diameter, over
unresolved background haze or possibly nebulosity.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1948 = D 237 = h2856 on 6 Nov 1826. He recorded a "a large faint nebula, irregular round figure; no central attraction, 3' or 4' diameter, not very well defined." His position is about 6' SW of NGC 1948 and his size estimate (3' or 4') is appropriate. Glen Cozens suggests D 237 is possibly NGC 1945. It is located a similar distance SSW of Dunlop's position but is too faint an object for Dunlop's 9" speculum reflector.
John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1948 on 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761) and described "a rich, discrete cluster, class VII. Not much compressed to the middle; 10' diameter, stars of 13th mag."
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05 25 05 -68 28 18; Dor
V = 12.4
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, ~35" diameter. No resolution, though this is primarily an emission nebula. A string of 3 mag 13.7/12.8/13 stars extend to the southwest by 45", 2.2' and 3.4'. I was very surprised when I added an NPB filter at 152x. A fairly prominent, large (~1.3' diameter), round emission nebula was nearly attached on the southwest side! This nebula (considered part of N138A) surrounds a mag 13.6 star at its center and has a slightly brighter rim. Together with NGC 1949 the pair nearly forms a "diamond ring".
Using the NPB filter, N138C was also seen 1.8' W as a very
faint, fairly small, 25" glow.
It surrounds a mag 15.2 star that was not seen with the filter. Much brighter is N 138B, located 5.2'
SW of NGC 1949. With the filter it
appeared fairly bright, small, round, 20" diameter, crisp-edged. A mag 15 star is attached at the
southwest edge. This interesting
field is located 14' NW of mag 6.1
John Herschel discovered NGC 1949 = h2857 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"." His position (single sweep) is accurate and appears to described the small, high surface brightness nebula only.
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NGC 1950 = ESO 056-116 = S-L 450
05 24 33.0 -69 54 04; Men
V = 13.2; Size 1.7'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
the first in a group of clusters including
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1950 = D 92 = D 94 = h2859 on 24 Sep 1826. He noted "two very faint nebula, 25" diameter, ill defined". His poorly reduced position was 20' too far southeast, but in the drift he recorded it 2.0 minutes after NGC 1943 and 17' N, a perfect match. He also recorded it 3 nights later after NGC 1943 in the drift and called it "an extremely faint, ill defined small nebula".
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1950 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523). He recorded "The first of several nebulae running together [along with 1958, 1959, 1969, 1971 and NGC 1972] and forming a very remarkable group, which fills the field with a faint diffused nebulosity. See plate IV, figure 7." On 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751), he noted "A large ill-defined patch at the lower edge of the Nubecula Major, which is pretty definite here, and very bright."
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NGC 1951 = ESO 085-086 = S-L 464
05 26 06.4 -66 35 50; Dor
V = 10.6; Size 1.9'
25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; this LMC cluster appeared extremely bright, moderately large, extremely dense knot of stars surrounded by a halo, 1' diameter, 6 or more stars were resolved around the periphery.
S-L 465, situated just 1.8' NNE of center, appeared moderately faint, round, compact, contains a very small bright core.
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, small, round, 25" diameter, well-concentrated with a 10" bright core (John Herschel described the core as a close double star).
John Herschel discovered NGC 1951 = h2858 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, R or lE; binuclear or suddenly brighter in the middle to a double star 10th and 11th mag." His second observation was recorded as "A close first class D star, 10th and 11th mag, with a thick nebulous mist like dust about it." His first position is accurate. Shapley and Lindsay ("A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, Vol. 6, 1963) give a diameter of 80'' and remark "elongated, inner condensed, outer resolved."
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05 34 32.0 +22 00 52; Tau
V = 8.5; Size 6'x4'
48" (10/23/14): remarkable intricate filamentary
structure at 488x using a DGM Optics OIII filter. I didn't try to take detailed notes, but the entire surface
of
48" (11/2/13): using 488x I immediately focused in on a close unequal mag double star (mag ~16/16.5 at 5" separation ) that was visible a bit offset SE from the geometric center. The fainter southwest component (CM Tau) is the famous pulsar (rotating neutron star) at the heart of the Crab Nebula, which was discovered in 1968 and pulses 30 times/sec!
Although this observation was exciting (first definite view of the pulsar), the real jaw-dropping sight was at 287x using a DGM Optics OIII filter, which lit up the interior filaments! The two bright filaments that meander E-W through the nebula (dipping just south of the pulsar) were very prominent with slightly fainter side filaments extending south and north. Scanning with averted vision, numerous additional very faint, thin radial filaments extending outward were evident throughout the nebula. In addition, the periphery had a ragged or curdled appearance, particularly along the northern edge. The eypiece view approached the iconic HST image of the Crab Nebula !
18" (11/14/09): at 175x and OIII filter an obvious brighter filament is visible that begins just south of center and extends WNW towards the west end. This filament is brightest (or has a brighter knot) at its eastern end near the center. A fainter filament begins near the same point south of center and extends towards the NE. The two filaments, if joined as one, extend nearly from the west end of the Crab Nebula to the east.
18" (2/23/06): at 225x the shape was quite elongated and irregular and the interior had a turbulent appearance due to a very irregular surface brightness. The periphery has a tattered or ragged edge and changes shape somewhat with averted vision. With a UHC filter, there is a brighter knot (sometimes appears as an extended, elongated feature) near the SW edge.
17.5" (2/8/86 and 10/8/86): very bright, unusual potato shape with an irregular surface brightness, 6'x4', broad concentration towards center. Very irregular elongated shape with extensions or "arms" towards the NW and SE, ragged edges at periphery. A large dark indentation or "bay" intrudes on the NE side of the SE extension, so this end is thinner and less prominent. A few faint stars are superimposed. Using an OIII filter, the overall structure is muted but a bright inner streak is visible in the SW quadrant (oriented ~E-W) and this streak is not noticeable without the filter.
13.1" (1/18/85): large, bright, irregular potato shape, large indentation on following end. Easy in 16x80 finder.
8" (10/4/80): moderately bright, irregular shape, fairly large, indentation on the NW and SE ends.
15x50mm IS binoculars (2/23/06): easily visible as a faint, oval patch.
British astronomer John Bevis discovered M1 = NGC 1952 = h357 around 1731 using a 3-inch (+/-) refractor of 24 ft focal length. He labeled it as a nebula in his Uranographia Britannica star atlas, which was completed in 1750, though not published in 1786. Charles Messier independently discovered M1 on 28 Aug 1758 while searching for comet Halley on its first predicted return. Instead he found another comet, which turned out to have been discovered earlier. But while tracking this comet he found M1, which Messier noted "contains no star; it is a whitish light, elongated like the flame of a taper." Bevis informed Messier of his earlier discovery in 1771. Messier’s rediscovery of M1 was the inspiration to begin the compilation of his catalog.
William Herschel made numerous observations with various telescopes, first through his 6.2-inch on 24 Mar 1783. With his workhorse 18.7-inch he attempted to resolve the nebula into stars: "Very bright, of an irregular figure; full 5 minutes in longest direction. I suspect it to consist of stars." In 1805 with the large 10-feet (24" f/5) he noted "with 220 the diameter is 4', with this power and light it is what must be called resolvable."
Much of the following is gleaned from Wolfgang Steinicke's book on "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters". William Parsons (third Earl of Rosse) and friends Romney Robinson and James South observed M1 with his first (compound) 36-inch in early November 1840. A few weeks later Robinson wrote Rosse to examine other nebulae as "I am anxious to know whether they all have tails and claws". Parsons sketched M1 in 1844 (using his solid 36") with filaments or streamers extending out of the body and a long tail (see http://messier.seds.org/more/m001_rosse.html). His description reads: ".. a cluster; we perceive in this [36-inch telescope], however, a considerable change of appearance; it is no longer an oval resolvable [mottled] Nebula; we see resolvable filaments singularly disposed, springing principally from its southern extremity, and not, as is usual in clusters, irregularly in all directions. Probably greater power would bring out other filaments, and it would then assume the ordinary form of a cluster. It is stubbed with stars, mixed however with a nebulosity probably consisting of stars too minute to be recognized. It is an easy object, and I have shown it to many, and all have been at once struck with its remarkable aspect. Everything in the sketch can be seen under moderately favourable circumstances."
Romney Robinson, director of Armagh Observatory and a regular observer at Birr Castle, remarked "it is ragged, bifurcated at the top, and has streamers running out like claws in every direction." This description, along with the 1844 sketch, probably is the source of the popular nickname "Crab Nebula".
William Lassell was certainly influenced by the sketch. He observed M1 in December 1852 with his 24" reflector and commented, "long filaments run out on all sides". Three weeks later, he noted "the outlying claws are only just circumscribed by the edge of the field of 6' in diameter." Father Angelo Secchi was also influenced; his sketch made around 1856 using a 9.5" refractor strikingly mimics the 1844 sketch with a long tail and external feelers! Secchi claimed the agreement in features demonstrated the strength of his telescope.
Interestingly, R.J. Mitchell resketched the Crab in 1855
with a much more traditional shape. Dreyer commented in The Observatory,
Vol. 37, p. 399-402 (1914), "The only published drawing which is a
complete failure, is that of M1, the "Crab Nebula", which has
unfortunately been reproduced in many popular books. It was made with the
3-foot, and long "feelers" were never again seen with the 3-foot nor with
the 6-foot." Still the
nickname stuck. See More
http://www.southastrodel.com/
Isaac Roberts first captured M1 photographically in 1892 with his 20-inch reflector.
In 1921 Carl Lampland suspected internal motion and based on plates with the the 40-inch reflector at Lowell, showed the nebula had changed shape. He also discovered the close double star at the center (5" separation).
Also in 1921 Lundmark mentioned (PASP, 33, 234) that the nova of 1054 was near NGC 1952. The 1054 "nova" was visible during the daytime fr 4 weeks and during the nighttime for up to 3 years. In 1928 Edwin Hubble (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1928ASPL....1...55H) stated the nebula "is expanding rapidly and at such a rate that it must have required about 900 years to reach its present dimensions. For, in the ancient accounts of celestial phenomena only one nova has been recorded in the region of the Crab Nebula. This account is found in the Chinese annals, the position fits as closely as it can read, and the year was 1054!" The Chinese text noted "Thereafter, a "guest star" appeared on 4 July. In 1937 Nicholas Mayall made a spectral analysis (PASP, 49, 101) and in 1939 (ASPL, Vol 3, 145) announced the Crab Nebula was a supernova remnant.
In 1951 Australian astronomer John Bolton showed that M1 was
a strong radio source (brightest in Taurus) and was named Taurus A. In 1968 a pulsar (rapidly rotating
neutron star) was discovered in
M1 is plotted as a planetary nebula on Becvar's "Atlas of the Heavens" and the first edition of Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0.
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05 25 28.0 -68 50 17; Dor
V = 11.7; Size 1.2'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
200x, this LMC cluster appeared bright, moderately large, round,~50"
diameter, with a brighter core. At
350x, it was grainy with a couple stars easily resolved at the edges of the
halo. The nucleus appears offset
from center towards the east. The
interesting
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1953 = D 177 = h2862 on 25 Sep 1826. He recorded it as "a small round faint nebula, 8" or 10" diameter. His position is 7' too far E, consistent with the offset in RA (time) with the two previous objects in his drift. His small size estimate probaby applies to the core.
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1953 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and described as "pF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40"." On 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) he recorded "pB, S, R, insulated, but has a group of four nebulae [NGC 1962, 1954, 1966, 1970] following in the parallel." His position is accurate.
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05 32 48.3 -14 03 45; Lep
V = 11.8; Size 4.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 155°
24" (12/28/16): at 225x; moderately bright and large, sharply concentrated with small, very bright core ~20"x15" N-S. The core is surrounded by a low surface brightness halo without a well defined edge but roughly 1.25' diameter. A mag 13 star is superimposed 45" N of center and a mag 13.8 star is 1.3' NW (outside the halo).
NGC 1954 is the brightest in a trio (HDCE 361) at a distance
of ~150 million years with
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is off the northwest edge 1.3' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 1957 5' SSE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1954 = H. III-590 = h2853 on 14 Dec 1786 (sweep 647) and recorded "suspected, eF, stellar, not very doubtful." His position is accurate. John Herschel observed it from the Cape and noted "vF, R, 25"." Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1957.
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05 26 10 -67 29 54; Dor
V = 9.8; Size 1.8'
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): this cluster and
emission nebula is near the western end of a beautiful curved chain of bright
clusters involved with prominent nebulosity (referred to as the "Sextant
Arc") that extends 17' WSW to ENE and includes
The cluster, which is part of stellar association LH 54,
includes as many as 40 stars in a 4' region including a half-dozen mag
11.5-12.5 stars in a 3' gently curving arc elongated E-W. Near the W end of this arc is mag 11.6
The cluster is immersed in a large, irregular haze that was brightest on its eastern side in a 30" circular glow. This patch is just a locally brighter section of a large irregular loop bowed out to the east and extending N-S for 6'-7' to a mag 9.5 star 3.5' S of the cluster.
A fainter group of stars and haze lies 4' W (S-L 456 within
association LH 51) and the DSS reveals both halves are the brightest portions
of an 8' superbubble (LHa 120-N51D).
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1955 = D 211 on 3 Aug 1826 and described "a small faint elliptical nebula, about 20" diameter. This is the preceding in a curved line of six or seven small nebulae, of unequal magnitudes." Dunlop made 4 observations and his position is just 1.6' too far SE. John Herschel called NGC 1955 = h2863 "The second of a great line of rich clusters [NGC 1968, 1974 and 1991] which are connected by abundant scattered stars. (The first not taken)." The first is probably S-L 456. JH credited Dunlop with the discovery.
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05 19 36.1 -77 43 45; Men
V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 68°
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent, fairly large edge-on at 200x, ~2.0'x0.6'. Sharply concentrated with a small, round bright core and much fainter extensions WSW-ENE. A faint star is just beyond the SW tip. This galaxy has an absorbtion lane (dust) along the north side, although this feature was not noted.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1956 = h2874 on 22 Jan 1836 and recorded "eF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"." On a second sweep he noted "eF, little elongated, 40 arcseconds, has a coarse double star n.f., 6' distant." His mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.
NGC 1559 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "vF, hazy star involved in nebula"
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05 32 55.1 -14 07 58; Lep
V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (12/28/16): at 225x; fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, gradually increases to the center. With direct vision a stellar nucleus pops out. Situated 4.5' SSE of NGC 1954 in a trio (HDCE 361) with IC 2132.
17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Located 5' SSE of NGC 1954.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1957 = LM 1-149 on 11 Dec
1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA)
is a good match with
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NGC 1958 = ESO 056-119 = S-L 462
05 25 30.7 -69 50 10; Dor
V = 13.0; Size 1.5'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; this LMC cluster was
very bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter. A few extremely faint stars were resolved at the edge with a
non-stellar knot or small clump of stars at the west end. A mag 12 star is 1' NW. Seven clusters lies within 7' of NGC
1958 including
S-L 460, located 3.5' N, appeared fairly faint, round, 30" diameter, even surface brightness.
S-L 469, located 5.5' NNE, appeared fairly faint, irregular, 30" diameter. Slightly brighter of a pair with S-L 460 3' SW.
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this LMC cluster appeared bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter. Increasing the magnification to 346x, the cluster resolved into a couple of dozen very faint, densely packed stars. The 1' halo appeared irregular and mottled as if more stars were just below resolution.
This cluster is situated in a rich section of the central bar and a number of clusters are nearby. NGC 1958 forms the northern vertex of an isosceles triangle with NGC 1959 5.5' S and NGC 1950 6.3' SW. A single brighter mag 11 star sits within this triangle at the vertex of another isosceles triangle with NGC 1959 and NGC 1950. A trio of clusters, NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972, lies 5' to 6' E.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1958 = D 93 = h2864 on 24 Sep
1826. It was logged as "a ill
defined nebula, irregular figure, 30" diameter." His position is 10' SE and closer to
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1958 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and commented "The second of the group (fig 7, Pl IV); L; F; very gradually brighter middle." On 11 Nov. 1836 (sweep 748), he noted "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle, 40".
Albert Le Sueur sketched the field on 26 Feb 1870 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. The sketch clearly shows S-L 460 and 469. Joseph Turner's sketch from 21 Dec 1875 was published on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...", though he misidentified S-L 460 and 469 as previous discoveries by Herschel (NGC 1950 and 1959).
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NGC 1959 = ESO 056-120 = S-L 466
05 25 35.7 -69 55 36; Men
V = 12.2; Size 1.6'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this globular is at the southeast corner of a triangle of clusters with NGC 1958 5.5' NNW and NGC 1950 6' WNW. It appears similar to NGC 1950 -- a moderately bright, fairly large glow of ~2' but with a relatively low surface brightness. Appears slightly smaller than NGC 1958. At 346x, a few faint stars are resolved around the edges. Located along the southeast side of the LMC bar, so the background is bright.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1959 = h2865 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; vL; very gradually brighter middle; the third of several whose borders join, forming the group in figure 7, pl IV." His position is fairly accurate.
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05 36 18 +34 08 30; Aur
V = 6.0; Size 12'
18" (1/17/09): at 175x roughly 175 stars are resolved in the central 10' but irregular extensions increase the halo to closer to 20' and includes roughly 250 stars. Many of the stars are arranged in long curving strings as well as one very distinctive curving loop on the SE side of the core with a pretty double (STF 737 = 8.5/9.0 at 11") with a fainter third companion at the NW end of the loop. The cluster itself is pretty symmetrical with a dense 10' core and the brighter stars are sprinkled about fairly uniformly.
8": very bright, large, loose, includes two curving star lanes. The double star STF 737 = 8.5/9.0 at 11" is near the center.
Naked-eye (10/24/11): just glimpsed in very dark skies.
Giovanni Hodierna discovered M36 = NGC 1960 = h358 in 1654. He described "In this constellation [Auriga] three nebulous patches can be observed", though only two objects were clearly shown on his map (better matching the orientation of M36 and M38). Guillaume Le Gentil rediscovered the cluster (along with M38) in 1749 and Le Gentil was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
William Herschel, using his 6.2-inch reflector at 120x on 28 Oct 1794, called it "a pretty rich cluster of small [faint] stars, seems to have many more than are visible, very small [faint]." It wasn't observed with his 18.7-inch during his sweeps until 3 Feb 1793 (sweep 1029)
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05 42 04.4 +69 22 46; Cam
V = 11.0; Size 4.6'x3.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 85°
48" (10/23/11): at 375x, this distorted spiral appeared very bright, very large oval nearly 2:1 E-W, ~3.6'x2.0', highly asymmetric appearance. Contains a very bright, large oval core that is clearly offset to the north side of the galaxy! A large arm sweeps E-W along the south side of the halo. A broad dust lane runs parallel to the arm on the inside. Surrounding the core are shorter inner spiral arms including an arm just north of the core that sweeps west and bends south. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed just inside the dust lane, 30" SSE of center.
24" (2/18/20): at 375x; fairly bright, very large, elongated 5:3 ~E-W, contains a bright elongated nucleus that is oddly offset towards the north side. The halo has a low, but uneven surface brightness (due to spiral arms and dust) and extends nearly 3.5'x2.0', though it fades imperceptibly into the sky. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed 30" SSE of center. CGCG 329-011, located 8' NE, appeared very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness. A mag 15.3 star is 20" S.
17.5" (12/7/90): moderately bright, moderately large,
elongated 2:1 E-W, weak concentration, small bright core. A mag 13 star is 30" SSE of center
and a mag 12 star is just off the west edge, 2.4' from center. There appears to be a dark patch
between this star and the core.
Forms a pair with
8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse, elongated, star involved.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1961 = H. III-747 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889). He recorded "considerably faint, pretty large, irregular figure, much brighter middle, easily resolvable, 5 or 6 of the stars belonging to it visible in the middle." This was the 2000th object in Caroline's "General Catalogue" of discoveries (after duplicates were eliminated).
Bigourdan found this galaxy independently on 22 Dec 1891, measured
an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued Big. 385 as
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NGC 1962 = ESO 056-122 = LMC-N144
05 26 18 -68 50 18; Dor
V = 11.5
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC
1962 forms the bright western patch of the NGC 1962-65-66-70 cluster and
emission nebula (stellar association LH 58). At 200x it appeared as a large, fairly bright glow on the
west side of the complex, ~2' in diameter. A few faint stars are peppered across the glow. At the E end is mag 12.3
Adding a UHC filter provided an excellent contrast gain to the bright nebulosity. The entire complex is part of a Superbubble. NGC 1953, an LMC open cluster, lies 4.5' W and a large number of additional clusters that I didn't have time to explore lie to the south and southeast.
James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1962 = D 136? = h2866 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later. He described the complex as "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them. There is a pretty bright star in the south side." His unpublished position in his handwritten notes (reduced from a drift) is 10' too far E, consistent with his other offsets. He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it." But without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.
John Herschel reobserved the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep
538) and distinguished the various components. He described NGC 1962 as "vF, pL; R; the first of a
group of four nebulae [with
Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..."). The sketch shows NGC 1962 as two connected pieces with a few stars involved. Pietro Baracchi also sketched a patch directly between NGC 1962 and 1965 on 18 Nov 1884.
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05 32 10.8 -36 22 51; Col
17.5" (2/22/03): at 100x, appears as a distinctive
looping group of two dozen mag 10-13 stars, though these are likely an
unrelated asterism. The diameter
is roughly 10' with a string of stars on the south side trailing to the east
(forming the bottom loop of the figure "3"). Includes several mag 10-11 stars with
two mag 8 stars (oriented N-S) on the north side of the low power field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1963 = h2861 on 24 Dec 1835 and described "the cusp of a cluster of stars, 8...11m; arranged pretty exactly in a figure of 3 with appendages. *8 in cusp taken." This group of stars stands out fairly well on the DSS although the brightest star is closer to mag 10. This is a random grouping with no correlation in proper motion. The RC3 and PGC misidentify the galaxy IC 2135 (~15' further east) as NGC 1963. RNGC classifies NGC 1963 as nonexistent.
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05 33 22.6 -21 56 49; Lep
V = 10.8; Size 5.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 32°
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly large, very
elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, unusually bright stellar nucleus [images reveal there is
a foreground star superposed on the nucleus]. A mag 13.5 star is at the
west edge 0.7' from center and a mag 14 star is at the SSW edge of the major
axis 1.2' from center. Situated
just SE of a thin triangle of mag 9.5-10.5 stars, the closest being mag 9.3 SAO
170546 1.7' NW of center.
Brightest in a group that includes
13.1" (12/18/82): faint, elongated, small bright nucleus, fairly small, faint halo surrounding the core. Located 1.7° SE of mag 2.8 Beta Leporis.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1964 = H. IV-21 = h2860 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and recorded "vS, stellar, the nucleus very bright; the chevelure vF and not perfectly central; there seems to be a vS star preceding it." His RA is 13 sec too large, but the identification is certain.
John Herschel observed this galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded on 21 Nov 1835 (sweep 647): "F, irregularly round, very suddenly brighter in the middle, to a star 12th mag, 2 or 3 stars involved, and several bright ones near." His position was accurate.
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NGC 1965 = ESO 056-123 = LMC-N144B = LH 58
05 26 29.5 -68 48 23; Dor
V = 11.7
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is
a bright, small knot on the NW side of a large HII complex and cluster
(association LH 58) that includes NGC 1966 (1.5' ESE), NGC 1962 (2.2' SW) and
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1965 = D 136 = h2867 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later. He described the complex as "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae in a large large - a pretty bright star in the south side." His unpublished reduced position (in his handwritten notebook) is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in the drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged. He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it."
John Herschel reobserved the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components. NGC 1965 = h2867 was described as "F, S; the second of a group of four nebulae [with NGC 1962, 1966 and 1970] with stars. The place interpolated from those of the 1st and 3rd by aid of a diagram made at the time. Plate VI, figure 20." Herschel noted that D 136 probably includes this object.
Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").
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NGC 1966 = LMC-N144A = ESO 056-125 = LH 58
05 26 45.5 -68 48 50; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 0.7'x0.3'
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this number refers to one of the multiple components of a large star cloud and HII complex (LH 58), ~5' in diameter. At 346x this is a small, bright glow on the NE side that surrounds three stars, elongated WNW-ESE, ~40"x15". Fainter nebulosity is attached extending to the west for 1.5' and connecting to the knot NGC 1965. A mag 9.9 star lies 1.2' S. This HII complex is located roughly 12' S of a mag 6.1 star (6.7/7.0 pair at a close 1.4").
At 200x using a UHC filter, this is a fascinating emission complex as the entire 5' region is awash in bright nebulosity and there are faint, irregular extensions beyond the main portion, particularly to the north (the outer portions form a faint bubble on images). A 10th mag star is involved, though the cluster itself (S-L 476) does not stand out significantly.
NGC 1966 is sometimes applied to the entire complex. Shapley listed the complex as the center of the OB-association "Constellation" II (of V).
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1966 = D 136 = h2868 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later. He described "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them. There is a pretty bright star in the south side." His unpublished notebook position is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in his drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged. He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it." Still, without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.
John Herschel reobserved the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components. He described NGC 1966 as "the third of a group of four nebulae with stars; pB, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle. Plate VI, figure 20."
Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").
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05 26 43 -69 06 06; Dor
V = 10.8; Size 0.9'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly small
cluster, ~30" diameter. 8 to 10 stars are resolved, many in a string along
the west side. A mag 13 star is at
the east edge. First of 3 clusters
with
John Herschel discovered NGC 1967 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as object #456 in his table of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." His position is 1.8' too far northwest.
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NGC 1968 = LMC-N51C = ESO 056-130 = S-L 483 = LH 60
05 27 39.7 -67 27 48; Dor
Size 1.5'
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): NGC 1968 is the third in a great chain of clusters involved in extensive nebulosity oriented southwest to northeast. The cluster is bright and very elongated 3'x1' E-W with ~20 stars including a number of mag 12-13 stars. The cluster (part of association LH 60) is surrounded by nebulosity (Henize N51C) that brightens on the east end in a large, round knot and extends beyond the cluster on the south side for several arc minutes in the direction of NGC 1955 to the WSW. NGC 1968 is connected to NGC 1974, another nebulous cluster 3' NE and NGC 1955 lies 8' WSW. The entire complex is nicknamed the LMC "Sextant Arc".
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1968 = D 188 = h2870 on 27 Sep
1826. He described "a curved
line of 5 or 6 faint nebulae with a number of small stars mixed. This line is rich in stars and
nebulae." This object
(or group of nebulae) was found during a drift on 27 Sep in which he
misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus) and all positions were reduced
incorrectly (2.4° to the SE). Once
corrected and checked for consistency with
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1968 = h2870 on 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) and described "The third of a great line of rich clusters [with NGC 1955, 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1974] all connected by abundance of irregularly scattered stars."
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NGC 1969 = ESO 056-124 = S-L 479
05 26 33 -69 50 27; Dor
V = 12.5; Size 1.2'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): faintest in a compact trio of clusters with NGC 1971 and 1972. At 397x; appears moderately bright, small, roundish, fairly low surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the NW end and a couple of fainter stars are involved.
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a compact right triangle of clusters with NGC 1971 1.2' SE and NGC 1972 1.4' E (within stellar association LH 59). At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round. This cluster has a lower surface brightness than NGC 1971 and 1972. A mag 13 star is at the NW edge. NGC 1958 lies 5' W. Located along the southeast side of the LMC bar, with a relatively bright background glow
John Herschel discovered NGC 1969 = h2872 in Dec 1834 and recorded on NGC 1969 "the 4th of several running together (fig 7, Pl IV). F; S; attached to a larger (the 5th)." The 5th refers to NGC 1971 = h2875. His position is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster earlier on 24 Sep 1826 and noted (D 93) "a very faint nebula, about 30" diameter." His position is ~5' SE of the NGC 1969/1971/1972 trio, but visually NGC 1971 is the most prominent of the group. So, my guess is that D 93 refers to NGC 1971.
Albert Le Sueur sketched the field on 25 Feb 1870 (also S-L 460 and S-L 469), as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...".
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NGC 1970 = ESO 056-127 = LMC-N144 = LH 58
05 26 53 -68 50 12; Dor
V = 10.3
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
200x; NGC 1970 is at the SE corner of the NGC 1962-65-66-70 complex (stellar
association LH 58). It consists of
three close collinear stars oriented NNW-SSE with the brightest mag 10.8 star
at the north end. Using a UHC
filter, the stars were surrounded by only very weak nebulosity that was no more
prominent than the general field haze.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1970 = D 136 = h2869 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later. He described "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them. There is a pretty bright star in the south side." His unpublished notebook position (reduced from a drift) is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in the drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged. He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it." Without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.
John Herschel reobserved the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components. He described NGC 1970 as "The last nebula in the group of four [with NGC 1962, 1965 and 1966] with stars. Place concluded (with no precision) from the 1st and 3rd by the aid of a diagram." [Plate VI, fig 20]. Despite his uncertainty with the position, it is pretty accurate.
Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..."). His sketch shows the three stars oriented NNW-SSE with no nebulosity, but there is a patch of nebulosity surrounded by a ring of stars that is sketched close north. Pietro Baracchi also took this group of four or five stars as GC 1175 = NGC 1970.
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NGC 1971 = ESO 056-128 = S-L 481
05 26 45.6 -69 51 03; Dor
V = 11.9; Size 1.1'x0.95'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; very bright, fairly
small, round, 30"-35" diameter, high surface brightness. Brightest in a small trio with
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this cluster is the furthest south in a small right triangle of clusters with NGC 1969 1.2' NW and NGC 1972 0.9' NNE. At 260x it appeared bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter (largest of trio), gradually increases to the center. At 350x, it contains a sharp stellar core or a mag 14 star is superimposed and a star is also on the SE edge. Located 15' SW of a mag 6.1 star (close double) within the southeast side of the LMC's central bar.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1971 = D 95 = h2875 on 24 Sep 1826. He described D 95 as "a faint nebula, round, 35" or 40" diameter." In the drift it was logged between NGC 1958 and NGC 1986 and his offset in time and declination from NGC 1986 lands with 2' of NGC 1971. It was apparently also recorded in his drift through the same area three nights later and called "very faint, ill defined, 20" diameter."
John Herschel rediscovered this cluster on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded, "the 5th of several running together (fig 7, Pl IV); attached to a smaller, No. 4". His position is accurate.
Albert Le Sueur sketched the field (with NGC 1958, 1969, 1972, S-L 460 and S-L 469) on 25 Feb 1870, as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...".
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NGC 1972 = ESO 056-129 = S-L 480
05 26 48.8 -69 50 17; Dor
V = 12.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; bright, small, round, high surface brightness glow (cluster), ~25" diameter. Contains a very bright quasi-stellar nucleus (knot of stars). Second brightest in a compact trio of clusters with NGC 1971 50" SSW and NGC 1969 1.4' W.
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): forms the northeast vertex of a small triangle of clusters with NGC 1971 0.9' SSW and NGC 1969 1.4' E (within stellar association LH 59). At 260x this small cluster is bright, round, ~35" diameter (smaller than NGC 1971). There is either a very small knot of stars at the east edge (DSS reveals an apparent close double star). These clusters are buried with the southeast side of the LMC's bar, so the field has a bright background.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1972 (or NGC 1971) = D 93 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a very faint nebula, about 30" diameter." His position is ~5' SE of the trio NGC 1969/1971/1972. Based on my visual observation I suggest that NGC 1971 = D 93, although Steinicke assigns D 93 to NGC 1972. JH independently discovered this cluster (h2876) on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded it as "the 6th of several [including NGC 1950, 1958, 1959, 1969 and 1971] running together (fig 7, Pl IV). This also is a double nebula, having a very small one attached N.p (No 7)." His position is ~40" too far south.
Albert Le Sueur sketched the field (with NGC 1958, 1969, 1972, S-L 460 and S-L 469) on 25 Feb 1870, as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Neb...".
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05 35 04.8 -04 43 55; Ori
Size 5'x5'
24" (1/22/15): locally bright (reflection?) nebula
surrounding mag 6.9
13.1": bright reflection nebulosity surrounding 7th
magnitude
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1973 on 16 Dec 1862 within NGC 1977. He calls it a nebulous mag 8-9 star and his single position corresponds with HD 36958 = SAO 132302 = KX Ori.
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NGC 1974 = NGC 1991 = LMC-N51A = ESO 085-89 = S-L 494 = LH 63
05 28 00 -67 25 24; Dor
Size 1.7'
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): NGC 1974 is the fourth in a great looping chain of clusters and nebulosity (collectively called the "Sextant Arc") including NGC 1955 and NGC 1968 to the SW. NGC 1974 is virtually attached to NGC 1968, only distinguished by less nebulosity and stars. Roughly three dozen stars were resolved in a 3' circular group (stellar association LH 63) including a number of mag 12-13 stars. The cluster is involved in fairly bright nebulous haze (LMC-N51A). A filament of nebulosity on the NE side is the brightest part of an incomplete superbubble.
Nail and Shapley designated the OB association that includes the "Sextant Arc" as "Constellation III" in a 1953 paper on the Magellanic Clouds.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1974 = D 213 on 6 Nov 1826 and described "a faint elliptical nebula, about 30" diameter. This is the following in a curved line of nebulae." He observed it on three occasions and his (mean) position is 2.8' too far northeast.
John Herschel recorded h2877 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 5112) as
"The following part of a large irregular cluster which extends obliquely
across the field." The objects in this grouping include NGC 1955, 1968,
1974 and
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NGC 1975 = Ced 55c = Sh 2-279 = Running Man Nebula
05 35 18 -04 41 06; Ori
Size 10'x5'
24" (1/22/15):
bright 2' reflection nebulosity surrounding
13.1": see description for NGC 1973. This is the faintest portion of the NGC 1977 complex and appears large and elongated, including a mag 11/11 double star.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1975 on 3 Oct 1864 and called it a "bright double star involved in nebulosity within V. 30 [NGC 1977]." His single position corresponds with the double star ∑746 = 10.4/10.7 at 14" in the northern part of the nebula.
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05 35 17.1 -05 23 27; Ori
V = 4.0; Size 66'x60'
48" (4/1/11): the Trapezium was first object viewed while the sky was still darkening. The "H" star (discovered by Barnard in 1888 with the Lick 36" was easily visible without reference to a chart, though I apparently missed the G star inside the Trapezium and a fainter companion to H at 1.3" separation. The "E" component was seen for the first time with a vivid orange color! In addition, due north of the A-E pair is a faint double star near the edge of the darker central pocket containing the Trapezium. On the opposite side (SE) of the Trapezium (at the edge of the inner pocket) are a wide pair of stars (~20") oriented E-W with possibly a third extremely difficult star between and a bit further east. Although I didn't take notes or try to sketch the main features of M42, there were several faint pink or red stars peppered over the glow of the nebula!
17.5" (10/12/85): best emission nebula in northern sky, fantastic view under all conditions, bright colored wings sweep to the east and south. The remarkable structure is difficult to describe but includes bays, filaments, knots, nebulous stars and a huge outer loop. Definite colors are visible including pale greens and pinks. Highlighted by the Trapezium which contains six stars and appears to reside in a darker hollow. The bright portion surrounding Theta probably has the highest surface brightness of any HII region in the sky with an "electric" appearance. Dark streaks and a dark wedge = "fish's mouth" intrudes on the NE side. Using an H-Beta filter, the nebulosity significantly dims in general but there is one outer wing or loop on the west side (oriented N-S) which obviously increases in contrast with the filter!
8" (numerous dates from 1979 to 1984): exquisite detail difficult to describe. Overall the nebula has a grey-green color but one wing is slightly reddish. Faint, very large outer loop is nearly complete
The following observational history of M42 = NGC 1976 = h360 is largely from Wolfgang Steinicke and http://seds.org/messier/more/m042_dis.html
The Orion Nebula was probably discovered in November 1610 by Nicholas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580-1637), a French lawyer, who turned his telescope (given to him by Galileo) to Orion and reported a "small illuminated cloud" near the middle star of Orion's Sword. This sighting, however, was not published, but only reported in Peiresc's personal documents and mentioned by Bigourdan in 1916. Jesuit astronomer Johann Baptist Cysat (1588-1657) of Lucerne was independently found it the following year. In 1619 he compared it to a comet he had observed in 1618. Cysat's work also did not get widely circulated but was found and reported by Rudolf Wolf in 1854. So, Dreyer included Cysat under the "Other Observers" column in the NGC. The first known (very rough) sketch of the Orion nebula was created by Sicilian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and included three stars, probably Theta1, Theta2A and Theta2B. As he was little-known, his work was lost and not rediscovered until the 1980's.
None of the early discoveries were known when Christian Huygens rediscovered the nebula in 1656 with a 50mm refractor and published the first printed sketch which appeared in his "Systema Saturnium" in 1659, gaining credit for a long time as the discoverer, as reported by Halley and Messier. Huygens's sketch included 3 stars in the trapezium and the general shape of the bright central part of the nebula, though he resolved the 4th star in 1696 with an "air" refractor of 44.5-ft focal length. Messier's more detailed sketch [made in 1769] showing the wings and the "fish's mouth" near the trapezium was published in 1771 (Mémoires de l'Académie Royale), though soon after William Herschel trained his telescopes towards M42 (earliest observation in March 1774 with a 4.5" reflector) and resolved much more structure. He called it "altogether the most wonderful object in the heavens." (16 Oct 1784). He included a sketch of M42 (fig. 37) in his 1811 publication.
M42 was one of the objects Lord Rosse attempted to "resolve" in 1845 and 1846 using his new 72-inch. After several bouts of poor weather, in February of 1846 he wrote "we are still in doubt as to the resolvability of the Nebula in Orion. The great instrument has shown us an immense number of stars in it, dense groups in the immediate vicinity of the Trapezium, but further evidence is I think wanting." A month later he was more convinced, writing in a letter "...there can be little if any doubt as to the resolvability of the nebulae...we could plainly see that all about the trapezium is a mass of stars; the rest of the nebula also abounding with stars, and exhibiting the characteristics of resolvability strongly marked." Most astronomers accepted these claims, though a few such as Wilhelm Struve challenged the alleged resolution. Clearly the Orion was a poor choice to decide resolvability as there are many stars associated with it, but the Irish observers also claimed resolvability for the Crab Nebula and the Ring Nebula (especially by Romney Robinson). George Bond, son of William Cranch Bond and Director of the Harvard College Observatory, claimed to have confirmed Rosse's resolution using HCO's new 15" refractor. In his first examination on 21-22 Sep 1847, he scrawled in his notebook, "Resolved. Mottled. Abundance of Stars." He reported to Harvard's president that "You will rejoice with me that the great Nebula in Orion has yielded to the powers of our incomparable telescope!"
Ronald Stoyan, in "Sketching the Orion Nebula" (Astronomy, Feb 2013), stated that Bond determined the positions of all stars he could perceive through the 15-inch (HCO refractor) in a 20' radius around the Trapezium. Working through seven winter seasons from 1857 to 1864 and finally reaching a field of 3.36° square, he catalogued 1,101 stars as faint as 15th magnitude, observed numerous various stars, and described M42 in metriculous detail like no one before. But above all, he sketched what he saw at the eyepiece - the first complete and accurate "image" of this region. His eye for detail was so that that the engraver [for the 1867 "Observations upon the Great Nebula in Orion" in http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1867AnHar...5D...3B] had to look through the telescope to adequately reproduce Bond's impressions. The result was the most accurate and elaborate astronomical drawing ever done. Bond's cousin, American astronomer Edward S. Holden, said in 1882 that it was the "most satisfactory representation of any celestial object." [A biography of George Bond, as well as his sketch of the Orion Nebula is at http://ejamison.net/bond.html]
The Orion Nebula was reported early on by various observers as possibly variable, with changes in both shape and brightness. Edward Holden gives a comprehensive history of observations of the Orion Nebula by 44 individuals, from Cysat in 1619 to Draper in 1880. See http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7237514M/. Henry Draper took the first photograph of the Orion Nebula on 30 Sep 1880 with an 11-inch Clark refractor, though the resolution and details were very poor. In 1882-83, Ainslee Common obtained a number of impressive long-exposure photographs using his 36-inch silver-on-glass reflector (first to show details not visible naked-eye) and in 1889 Isaac Roberts produced some excellent wide-field photographs of M42 using a 20-inch Grubb reflector. Huggins took the first spectrum in 1865.
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NGC 1977 = Ced 55e = Sh 2-279 = Running Man Nebula
05 35 15.8 -04 50 40; Ori
Size 20'x10'
24" (1/22/15): NGC 1977 is a prominent 20' field of nebulosity
involving 42 Ori (V = 4.6 and a challenging 1.2" pair), 45 Ori (V = 5.2)
and mag 7.3
13.1": extensive bright field of nebulosity including
NGC 1973 and NGC 1975, very large, elongated ~E-W. Involves several bright stars including 42 Orionis (V = 4.7)
and 45 Orionis (V = 5.3).
Irregular and detailed with detached segments. Extends north and south beyond 42 Orionis. Located north of M42 and south of the
bright cluster
William Herschel discovered NGC 1977 = H. V-30 on 18 Jan 1786 (sweep 510). He recorded "I returned to the c's Orionis [1 and 2 c Orionis], and the stars about them; and found them as suspected involved in very visible, and unequally bright milky nebulosity. I am pretty sure this joins to the great nebula [M42]." NGC 1977 is generally taken as the brightest portion around 42 and 45 Orionis, though Herschel's description really applies to the entire nebula and scattered group of stars. Heinrich d'Arrest took the first spectrum in 1872.
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NGC 1978 = ESO 085-90 = S-L 501
05 28 44.7 -66 14 10; Dor
V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x2.7'
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): this impressive LMC
(intermediate age) globular is extremely bright and large, noticeably elongated
NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.5', contains a large, very bright core (unresolved), and grainy
halo. Only a few mag 15-16 stars were resolved around the edges at 303x. NGC 1978 is situated within the huge
LMC-4 Superbubble that includes the NGC 1848 complex 18' WSW,
13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): bright, large, elongated NNW-SSE, 2.4'x1.5' (unusually elongated for a globular), weak even concentration to center, no resolution. This is a blue intermediate-age cluster or "blue globular", roughly 2 billion years old, with a million solar masses. NGC 1948, a combination star cloud/emission complex, lies 18' W.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1978 = D 238 = h2878 on 6 Nov 1826 and described "a faint round nebula, about 50" diameter, rather ill defined. His position is ~10' SW of the globular, whch is a reasonable match and in agreement with his offset for D 237, assuming it applies to NGC 1948.
John Herschel first observed this bright globular on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and logged, "vB, vL, E, gradually brighter in the middle, 3'." On 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761), he recorded "vB, vL; oval; vgpmbM; a beautiful nebula; it has very much resemblance to the Nubecula Major itself as seen with the naked eye, but is far brighter and more impressive in its general aspect as if the Nubecula were at least doubled in intensity. (Note - July 29, 1837. I well remember this observation, it was the result of repeated comparisons between the object seen in the telescope and the actual nubecula as seen high in the sky on the meridian, and no vague estimate carelessly set down. And who can say whether in this object, magnified and analysed by telescopes infinitely superior to what we now possess, there may not exist all the complexity of detail that the nubecula itself presents to our examination!)"
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NGC 1979 = ESO 487-024 = AM 0531-232 = PGC 17452
05 34 01.1 -23 18 37; Lep
V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 7°
24" (1/1/19): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small,
slightly elongated, 50"x40", very strong concentration (fairly sharp)
with a small bright core that increases to the center. A mag 12 star is 1.8' E. ARA 1991, a
14" pair of mag 11.7/13.4 stars is 7' W.
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. IC 2138 lies 14' SE and NGC 1964 is 80' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1979 = H. III-240 on 20 Nov
1784 (sweep 325) and noted "vF, vS, stellar." His position is 13 sec of RA east of
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05 35 26.0 -05 54 36; Ori
Size 14'x14'
13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, large nebulosity of low surface brightness surrounding Iota Orionis (V = 2.8). Very difficult to distinguish from glare of Iota. M42 lies 30' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1980 = H. V-31 = h361 on 31 Jan 1786 (sweep 517) and noted "Iota Orionis seems with its neighbouring stars to be involved in milky nebulosity; but it is so faint and the number of stars makes the field so bright, that I cannot assure myself; though I compared this spot with the preceding and following ones." He observed it again on sweep 529 and recorded "Iota certainly affected, but no more that what the tinge of the bottom in this neighbourhood will account for." Wolfgang Steinicke found in his research that Herschel made an earlier observation on 20 Sep 1783 (just before beginning his sweeps) with his small 20-ft (12" aperture): "The star under the Nebula in Orion [M42] is nebulous; or very faintly surrounded with a circular glory of whitish nebulosity. 20ft 200x."
John Herschel also noted on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 218), "Iota Orionis involved in a feeble neb 3' diam."
On 28 Jan 1849, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) recorded, "Dark space in the nebula containing nearest companion; light nearly equable; sketch made (by Stoney); 3-feet telescope employed. All the stars in the neighbourhood are nebulous, of these two a little south-preceding, last seem to have dark spaces as in [figure 16, 1850 PT paper]."
William Lassell made an observation on 7 Jan 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector and reported, "Surveyed this star for some time without any impression of a nebula about it. At length I began to conceive that the glare around it, which I had attributed to the splendour of the star, might be really nebulous; and on further looking attentively at the stars, I could fancy they were on a black ground in the midst of the nebulae; but, without the suggestion of Lord Rosse's drawing, I think the appearance would have escaped me." Observing with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 3 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi commented, "Uncertain - Is it nebulosity or stray diffused light from the stars?"
It is very possible that William Herschel observed just scattered light around Iota, since the very southern end of M42 has a very low surface brightness and would be difficult to distinguish among the several bright stars in the field. Wolfgang Steinicke favors interpreting NGC 1980 as an illusion (personal email on 21 Mar 2015), though Harold Corwin is not convinced (personal email of 23 Mar 2015).
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NGC 1981 = Cr 73 = OCL-525 = Lund 187
05 35 10 -04 25 30; Ori
V = 4.6; Size 25'
24" (1/22/15): at 200x;
18" (1/17/09): this very bright, scattered 25' cluster is situated just north of the cluster/emission nebula NGC 1973/75/77 and both appear to be part of the same complex at 73x. Contains 7 stars mag 6-7.5 and a dozen stars mag 9 or brighter. Most of the remaining stars are much fainter and more concentrated on the west side and streaming off the northwest end.
8": bright cluster with about two dozen stars mag 6 and fainter. Very large, scattered. Includes STF 750 = 6/8 at 4". To the south is another group of bright stars surrounded by the emission nebula NGC 1973-1977.
Naked-eye (10/23/11): visible as a hazy glow just north of the three "stars" in the sword. None of the individual mag 6.5 stars are resolved naked-eye as they are two tightly grouped, but the cluster is easily resolved in binoculars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1981 = h362 while inspecting Flamsteed stars with his 6.2" reflector during his second star review before starting his systematic sweeps. On 23 Oct 1780 he recorded the multiple star H. II. 26 (usually identified as STF 750) and described it as "Double. It is the most north of three telescopic stars in a line at the end of a cluster near c." His description is a perfect match with NGC 1981, with STF 750 at the northeast side of the cluster, although it wasn't found again during his sweeps. This early discovery was found by Wolfgang Steinicke.
John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1981 on 4 Jan 1827 (sweep 41) and described h362 as "a coarse and por but very splendid cluster of large stars; a beautiful object." His position corresponds with his father's STF 750 = mag 6/8 at 4" separation.
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05 35 31.3 -05 16 02; Ori
V = 9.0; Size 20'x15'
13.1": large detached piece of M42, mottled outer region, very bright center. Has a large rotated "comma" shape with a dark indentation on the east side. A mag 8 star is embedded.
8": fairly large, irregular, protrudes to the NE, includes a bright star.
French scientist Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered
William Herschel found it on 3 Nov 1783 (his third night of sweeps, #15), noting "vF, S, mE. In the Large nebula." He catalogued it (or part of it) as H. III-1, assuming it was new. Wolfgang Steinicke lists III-1 as part of M42, but not M43.
In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found M43 displayed an emission spectrum in an early spectroscopic investigation while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.
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NGC 1983 = ESO 056-133 = LH 61 = S-L 492
05 27 45.1 -68 59 08; Dor
V = 8.8; Size 5'x3'
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; this large star cloud/association (LH 61) includes the embedded cluster S-L 492. It appeared as a very bright, small knot of stars, 30" diameter, with a half-dozen resolved. The star cloud is elongated N-S and is rich in bright and faint stars (too many to count). A very striking N-S string (6' length) of 10 bright mag 10.5-12 stars passes just east of the cluster. Just outside the field to the south (9' from S-L 492) is NGC 1984, along with NGCs 1994 and 1967.
Two additional clusters were picked up nearby to the east (nearly collinear with S-L 492). H-S 314, 3.7' E of S-L 492, appeared as a bright, high surface brightness, compact glow, 20" diameter, no resolution. H-S 319, just 2' E of H-S 314, was noted as fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, no resolution. A mag 11.5 is off the southeast side [35" from center] and a mag 12.3 star is 0.7' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1983 = h2881 on 11 Nov 1836 and described "a pretty rich irregular cluster which fills the field; a knot in it taken." S-L 492 is the "knot" he measured, but the object which "fills the field" is the association LH 61.
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NGC 1984 = ESO 056-132 = S-L 488
05 27 40.8 -69 08 05; Dor
V = 10.0; Size 1.2'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; extremely bright, small, high surface brightness knot of stars, mottled. Several stars are resolved around the edges of the 30" clumpy glow. A nice 4' string of stars begins at the west edge of the cluster and extends to the south-southeast, ending at a mag 11.3 star. No response to a NPB filter, although LMC-N145 is on the southwest edge. NGC 1984 is situated in a very rich region of the LMC with NGC 1994 3.8' ESE and NGC 1967 5.4' NW. NGC 1983, an excellent cluster and star cloud, lies 9' N.
James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1984 = D 135 = h2882 on 24 Sep 1826. During his second drift of the night he noted a "small faint round nebula". His reduced position is 20' to the SW, but reference to his handwritten drift notes shows it was logged 8 minute 18 sec after recording NGC 1916 and 14' to its north. This offset places it just 2' south of NGC 1984 and 3' SW of NGC 1994. He recorded a second object only 17 seconds of RA separation but a difference of 4' in declination (the two clusters are very close in declination).
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1984 = h2882 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "a cluster; a double star in it taken." His position is accurate and the double star is HJ 3771 = 11.4/13 at 5".
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05 37 47.8 +31 59 20; Aur
13.1" (1/18/85): faint reflection nebulosity surrounding a mag 13.5 star. This small, circular nebula is visible without a filter.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1985 = H. III-865 = h359 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980). He recorded "very faint, very small, round, bright middle. 300x showed it very plainly."
Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell observed it on 28 Dec 1856: "Looks like a star enveloped in a vF nebulous atmosphere which is little extended nearly preceding-following."
This reflection nebula was misclassified as a PN (PK 176+00.1) in Kohoutek's Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae and the RNGC repeats this error.
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NGC 1986 = ESO 056-134 = S-L 489
05 27 37.7 -69 58 14; Men
V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.4'
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x very bright, large, roundish, ~2' diameter, contains a relatively large bright core. The cluster is very lively and several extremely faint stars are resolved over the glow. Nine clusters lies within 16' in a 90° arc from the west to the north, the closest is H-S 307 4.8' N (logged as "faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, low surface brightness, no resolution.") Further east of NGC 1986 are numerous additional clusters.
24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at
260x, this LMC globular appeared very bright, fairly large, round, at least 2'
diameter, with a bright core and several faint stars resolved. At 346x, at least a couple of dozen
stars were resolved in the fainter halo and over the disc. There is a brighter elongated bar in
the central portion (reminiscent of
H-S 307, a very faint cluster, lies 4.8' NNE (logged as
"small, round and grainy, ~25" diameter") and a very small trio
of clusters, NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972 is ~9' NW. NGC 1959 is a bit further away at 11' WNW with NGC 1950
continuing on the same line 16.5' WNW.
All of these clusters are visible in the same 30' field of the 13mm
Ethos at 200x. In addition, a
number of clusters, including H-S 327, S-L 519, S-L 535 and
James Dunlop discovered NGC 1986 = D 96 = D 97 = h2883 on 24
Sep 1826. D 96, found on 24 Sep
1826, was reported in his logbook as "a pretty large faint nebula, fully
1' diameter, slightly bright towards centre, irregular figure" His offsets from
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1986 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and recorded "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 2'." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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05 27 17.0 -70 44 14; Men
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright and large, roundish with a slightly irregular halo, lively but only a couple of mag 16-16.5 stars are resolved around the edges. Three bright stars in the field to the west: a mag 10.7 star 2.1' SW, a mag 9.5 star 3' W and a mag 10.5 star 5' WNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1987 = h2885 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; L; irreg R; 3 B st precede." His position and description is accurate.
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05 37 26.5 +21 13 06; Tau
= *, Carlson. =**, Gottlieb.
The following historical summary is based on Wolfgang Steinicke's "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters" as well as Harold Corwin's NGC/IC identification notes. Jean Chacornac discovered NGC 1988 on 19 Oct 1855 with the 25-cm Lerebours refractor of the Paris Observatory, though the note "have found a new nebula very near to Zeta Tauri." was not announced until 1863. When he reobserved the field on 20 Nov 1862, he was surprised to find the "nebula" missing and Heinrich d'Arrest was unsuccessful in seeing it in 1863 and 1865. Tempel reported it was probably a reflection in the eyepiece (and not a variable nebula) based on his negative sighting in 1861. Hind later summarized the discovery and subsequent negative results of this object in a paper titled "Chacornac's Variable Nebula near Zeta Tauri" in 1876. John Herschel, unaware of Tempel's negative result, catalogued it as GC 1911 and Dreyer followed in the NGC with the description "!!!, variable (?)", though he has a long description on this star in the notes section in which he mentions that Tempel found only a false image of a star. Still others tried to find it including Father Hagen who described this object as a ghost image of mag 3 Zeta Tauri. Burnham also unsuccessfully searched for it in 1891 with the 36-inch Lick refractor (Publ of Lick Observatory, II). Burnham agreed with Tempel's assessment and added "Too much time has been wasted in looking for this object.." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, concluded "*12.5 in Dreyer's place, BD +21 907 f 0.6'." Harold Corwin also suggests this was a "reflection or flare from zeta Tauri which is only 5 arcmin to the southeast." This is the only NGC entry credited to Chacornac, so he didn't discover any non-stellar objects.
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05 34 23.4 -30 48 04; Col
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 106°
17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated,
broad concentration. Situated at
the vertex of two converging rows stars including mag 9.6
John Herschel discovered NGC 1989 = h2871 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "eeF; S; R; south of several bright stars." On a second sweep he noted "vF; S; R at the apex of a converging parcel of distant stars." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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05 36 12.7 -01 12 07; Ori
V = 1.7
= * (Epsilon Orionis = middle belt star). Nebulosity not visible on the POSS-II.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1990 = H. V-34 = h363 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). He recorded "Epison Orionis passed, and I am pretty sure it is involved in nebulosity, unequally diffused." Very likely, he noticed scattered light around the bright star. Interestingly, about 10 minutes earlier he also suspected nebulosity (NGC 1908) to the SE of Eta Orionis, where there is none.
John Herschel made two observations at Slough and remarked (sweep 107, 23 Nov 1827) "Epsilon Orionis. Place by Catalogue a very brilliant star involved in an immense nebulous atmosphere, whose north and south limits are 91° 7' 29" and 91° 31' 29". Viewed also and shown to Mr. [James] Dunlop in Sweep 110 [who was visiting Slough on 16 Dec 1827]." Guillaume Bigourdan reported "I could not see any trace of nebulosity around this bright star which is epsilon Orion. Nor did d'Arrest or Engelhardt see any nebulosity around this star." The Birr Castle observers reported no nebulosity on several attempts. But on 3 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi observed Epsilon Ori with the 48" Melbourne telescope and comments "There is no doubt it is a whitish atmosphere surrounding Epsilon Orionis fading gradually away that the boundaries cannot be ascertained..."
In 1893 Lewis Swift wrote, "Sir William Herschel supposed he had discovered a very large, very faint nebula surrounding Epsilon Orionis. For this I have sought many times with both telescopes, but always in vain, having never been able to detect anything more than the faint glow which surrounds every bright star."
Based on Crossley plates at Lick, Curtis reported in 1913, "It seems that Herschel must have been misled here by the radiance about the very bright star... I find no trace of nebulosity in an exposure of two hours." Dorothy Carlson classified this number as nonexistent in her 1940 paper on NGC/IC corrections based on Curtis' results. Brian Skiff, also found no large nebulosity surrounding Epsilon Orionis and Harold Corwin concludes this object is nonexistent. He notes, though, that images are too burned in, to tell if there is a small, faint nebulosity very close to Epsilon (like IC 349 adjacent to Merope).
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NGC 1991 = NGC 1974 = ESO 085-089
05 28 00 -67 25 24; Dor
Size 1.7'
See observing notes for NGC 1974 with the 30" from Coonabarabran.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1991 = h2884 on 2 Jan 1837 and noted "the 4th of a great line of rich clusters connected by abundant irregularly scattered stars." There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west (same declination) is NGC 1974 and the Hodge-Wright Atlas (1967) notes "probably NGC 1974. RA off by 1m." ESO repeats the identification NGC 1974 = NGC 1991.
Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], notes "Not found. This should be 1m due east of NGC 1974 which follows NGC 1955, 1968." RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies NGC 1991 nonexistent instead of equating with NGC 1974.
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NGC 1992 = ESO 423-023 = MCG -05-14-007 = PGC 17466
05 34 31.9 -30 53 49; Col
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45°
17.5" (12/3/88): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 1989 6' NNW in ACO S536.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1992 = h2873 on 19 Nov 1835 and recorded "eeF; vS; certainly not to be seen except in a superbly clear night, as this is." His position is accurate.
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05 35 25.5 -17 48 55; Lep
V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 80°
17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Located 40' E of Alpha Leporis (V = 2.6).
William Herschel discovered NGC 1993 = H. III-269 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar, 240 power it beyond doubt." Auwers reduced position is 1 hr too large in R, but this error was caught by JH when compiling the GC.
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NGC 1994 = ESO 056-136 = S-L 499
05 28 22 -69 08 30; Dor
V = 9.8; Size 1.6'
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, fairly small, high surface brightness knot, 25" diameter, clumpy, irregular. The main patch is too dense to cleanly resolve (a few stars sparkle over the background glow) but a large number of mag 13-15 stars are nearby, forming a larger cluster. Mag 11.5 stars are less than 1' NE and 1.5' ESE. Forms a striking pair with NGC 1984 3.8' W with NGC 1967 9' WNW. In a gorgeous, rich region of the LMC with scattered brighter stars extending 10' N to NGC 1983.
25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright, small, very high surface brightness knot, 25" diameter, slightly elongated E-W. A few stars are resolved in the cluster and many are scattered very nearby. In a very rich region of the LMC and third of three clusters with NGC 1984 and 1967.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1994 = h2887 on 16 Dec 1835 and described "a little knot, a triple, perhaps a quadruple star, forming a point of reference in a cluster of the 7th class. The knot looks like a nebula till analysed." On a second sweep he logged "the second knot in a rich cluster of irregular figure of stars 11..16th mag. The knot seems to be a close double or triple star." His position is accurate.
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05 33 03.3 -48 40 34; Pic
V = 15/15.5; Size 13"
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): NGC 1995 is a 13" pair of mag 15/15.5 stars just 2.3' NW of NGC 1995. Through thin clouds, low elevation and only fair seeing, it appeared as a very faint unresolved glow. Under these conditions, I would also have mistaken it for a tiny nebula.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1995 = h2879, along with NGC
1998 = h2880, on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "eeF; R; bM; exceedingly
difficult and delicate. (Sky perfectly clear.) The preceding of two [with NGC
1998]. Both objects were recorded
on sweep 526, while
Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 1995 with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 15 Feb 1888 and noted "vF; vvS; stellar - easily mistaken for a very minute star." Actually he was mistaken!
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05 38 10.2 +25 49 02; Tau
Size 20'x10'
18" (11/6/04): at 73x (31 Nagler), this is a moderately
rich group of ~60 stars mag 11-14 in a large, elongated group, perhaps 17'x8',
extended N-S. The majority of the
stars are ~12th magnitude. A
string of 10th magnitude stars heads southeast for 15'. Situated in a rich star field ~20' W of
mag 5.2
William Herschel discovered NGC 1996 = H. VIII-42 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 485) and described a "cluster of coarsely scattered stars above 15' dia. The stars nearly of a size and equally scatterered." On 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 627) he noted "a coarsely scattered clu of pL stars, not rich; may be a projecting point of the milky way." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes this group as 17'x12' in PA 10, "Cl, L, E, pP, sc, st 11..." The DSS appearance agrees with this description and the group (status as a cluster is uncertain) is between two mag 5-6 stars at 40' separation E-W. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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05 30 34 -63 12 18; Dor
V = 13.4; Size 1.3'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly faint elongated glow, oriented SW-NE, ~45"x30". A mag 14 star is attached at the northeast end and a couple of additional mag 16 stars are on the NW and SW sides. Located 47' SSW of mag 3.8 Beta Dor, well to the north of the main body of the LMC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 1997 = h2886 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "eF; R; 30"." His position from this single sweep is ~30" SE of the center of the cluster. Robert Innes observed the cluster in 1926 with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory. He reported it as "Nebula, 12 mag, touching an 11 mag star on Sp, 20" diameter, looks lie the tail of a comet, star being the head." The direction of the star is at the NE edge of the cluster.
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NGC 1998 = ESO 204-015 = PGC 17434
05 33 15.7 -48 41 46; Pic
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 20°
14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): faint,
slightly elongated ~N-S, 25"x20", smooth surface brightness. Located within a striking group of mag
9-11 stars; a mag 10 star is 3.5' NE, five mag 9.0-10.8 stars in a N-S string
(6' length) is close south, including
John Herschel discovered NGC 1998 = h2880 on 28 Dec 1834 and
recorded "eeF, R, bM, the following of two [with NGC 1995 = h2879]; in
field to the south is a brilliant group of stars." His position matches
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05 36 25.3 -06 42 57; Ori
Size 2'x2'
48" (10/25/11): stunning view at 375x and 488x. The high surface brightness reflection nebulosity surrounding the mag 10.5-11.0 illuminating star (V380 Ori) was intensely bright. The dark splotch (possibly a Bok globule) that blots out a portion of the nebula just west of center appeared sharply etched into the nebulosity and formed a "keyhole" or "anvil" outline with a thin extension to the east and a thicker north-south flat section on the west. The contrast of this dark nebulosity was extremely high and appeared virtually identical to images.
18" (2/24/06): spectacular view at 565x. The bright mag 10.5 central star appears slightly offset east of center, though this may be an optical affect due to the very dark patch on the west side. The bright, 2' reflection nebula is slightly brighter just following the central star. The irregular dark vacuity is large and detailed at this power and appears anvil-shaped. The base of the anvil is along the western side and oriented N-S. There is a narrow extension to the south that tapers to a wedge. Along the north side, the globule extends to the east and partially wraps around the central star. This was the first time I've seen the dark patch take on an appearance similar to the well-known HST image.
17.5" (2/22/03): remarkable, bright 2' reflection
nebula surrounding mag 10.5 V380 Orionis (emission-line star). At 220x, a prominent, curving dark patch
or globule wraps around the star along the west side. Two of the brightest Herbig-Haro objects are close south,
with
17.5" (2/8/90 and 12/7/90): bright, high surface brightness emission nebula surrounding a mag 10 star, round, about 2' diameter. There is a striking curved irregular dark patch or globule along the west side of the central star that is remarkable at high power. The nebulosity is weakest on the SE side of star. Easily takes 220x-280x.
17.5" (2/22/87): bright, round nebula around a 10th magnitude illuminating star. A eye-catching, curved, irregular dark patch is NW of the central star within the nebulosity.
13.1" (2/25/84): a curving dark lane is visible west of the central star with faint nebulosity west of the gap.
8" (11/28/81): small circular nebulosity surrounds a mag 10 star.
William Herschel discovered NGC 1999 = H. IV-33 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458). He described it as "a star with a very strong burr all around." He observed it again less than a month later on 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468) and noted, "very bright or rather a nucleus with a milky nebulosity chiefly on the preceding side, of no very great extent." The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars." He included NGC 1999 in his 1814 PT paper under the section "Of Stars connected with extensive windings of nebulosity" and noted "a star situated upon a ground of extremely faint milky nebulosity diffused over this part of the heavens, has a milky chevelure surrounding it, which is brighter than the nebulosity of the ground; but which loses itself imperceptibly in the extreme faintness of the general diffusion of the nebulous matter." He used this object in his argument that the star was formed by the law of gravitation from the nebular material. His rough sketch (fig. 9) shows the off-central star superimposed, though no dark patch.
Birr Castle observer Ralph Copeland, described it on 15 Nov 1873 as a "*9m with nebulosity in which there is a vacuity preceding the star. It looks like a comet coiled round into a ring nebula." [See Pl I.] So, clearly the dark patch was quite evident.
Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt between 1914-16 with the 30" Reynolds reflector, NGC 1999 was described as "!! vB, pL, a dense globe with an absolutely dark triangular hole cutting into it." Although the dark patch is generally assumed to be a dark globule, a 2010 paper "er ist wahrhaftig ein Loch im Himmel. The NGC 1999 dark globule is not a globule" (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010arXiv1005.2202S), suggests that "the dark patch is in fact a hole or cavity in the material producing the NGC 1999 reflection nebula, excavated by protostellar jets from the V 380 Ori multiple system." See http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMFEAKPO8G_index_0.html for more.
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NGC 2000 = ESO 056-135 = S-L 493
05 27 29 -71 52 48; Men
V = 12.1; Size 1.5'
30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large
LMC cluster, slightly elongated, 50" diameter, very mottled, contains a
brighter and denser core. The halo
is resolved into many mag 14.5-16 stars, particularly on the south and west
side. Located on the south end of
the LMC, 25' SW of
John Herschel discovered NGC 2000 = h2889 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "F; R; very little brighter middle; 60"." His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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