Hickson 72 in Bootes

HICKSON	NAME	SIZE (M)	MAG (V)	SB
72a	MCG+03-38-017	0.5X1.0	15.1	12.2
72b	MCG+03-38-021	0.6X0.2	15.1	12.8
72c	MCG+03-38-022	0.3X0.3	14.8	12.0
72d	MCG+03-38-020	0.2X0.2	15.0	11.2
72e	UGC 9532, Arp 328	0.3X0.2	17.0	na
72f	PGC 52849	0.2X0.1	17.0	na

17.5": at 280x the brightest member of the HCG 72 = U09532 chain = VV 165 appeared very faint and small, round, ~15" diameter (extensions not seen). This group is very challenging as the tight pair HCG 72B/D is just 1' SSE and a mag 14.5 star is a similar distance NW. At 280x HCG 72B appeared extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' due east At moments it appeared double (HCG 72D probably glimpsed) although difficult to confirm. Similarly, HCG 72C seemed to pop into view on a couple of occasions although sighting uncertain. This faint chain is located 5' following mag 7.5 SAO 101216 which detracts from viewing (keep out of field). - Steve Gottlieb