| Galaxy
Pair
aka PGC 34426, MCG 3-29-20, Uppsala 6297 RA: 11h16m54.8s Dec: +18°03'06" (Leo) Integrated Visual Magnitude: 10.9 Angular Diameter: 4.6' x 4.1' Mean Surface Brightness: 22.7 Mag/arc-sec² Minimum requirements to detect: 4-inch under dark skies |
Many
observers remark how similar in appearance the two major galaxies in this
field are (NGC 3607 and NGC 3608). They have often been referred
to as twins.
In a 6" NGC 3607 and the three brightest galaxies (NGC 3608, NGC 3599, and NGC 3605) are visible at 50x. Seen with this aperture the view is quite appealing. The elliptical galaxy NGC 3607 itself, the brightest of the group, is easily visible as a small, oval smudge.
The other two bright galaxies, NGC 3608 and NGC 3599, are also ellipticals. NGC 3608 is relatively bright and easy, while NGC 3599 may require averted vision. Many observers have missed NGC 3605 entriely. This tiny, nearly face-on spiral galaxy is only faintly visible as a fuzzy star. In the surrounding area only the nearly face-on Lenticular galaxy NGC 3626 is visible in this aperture.
The view in an 18" Dob at 60x. North is down and east
is right.
The region surrounding this galaxy is a real treasure
trove for larger instruments. How many galaxies can you find?
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol II Chart 705
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 13 Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 146 Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas B-05 C-21 |
