NGC 3987
Edge-on Spiral Galaxy
aka PGC 37591, MCG 4-28-99, Uppsala 6928
Integrated Visual Magnitude: 13.8
Apparent Diameter: 2.4' x 0.5'
Mean Surface Brightness: 22.7  mag/arc-sec2
Light Travel Time: 2 Billion yr
Redshift (z): 0.02

Minimum requirements to view: 8-inch scope under dark skies

Sometimes it takes serendipity to discover an interesting object or field that lies off the beaten path.  In this case it took a supernova for me to be led to this fine galaxy and surrounding field.  In March of 2001 a relatively bright (14th mag) supernova was found in this galaxy and I set out to observe it.

I found a small, but delightful galaxy in a field with many others.  The supernova appeared as a 14th magnitude star sitting near the extreme northeastern end of the galaxy.  Having seen it, I moved on to explore the surrounding field, which is quite remarkable!  A chain of three additional faint galaxies lie to the northeast, nestled in among a smattering of stars.  In scanning around the area I found countless other tiny galaxies.

In my 18-inch f/4.5 I was able to glimpse the tiny, 15.7 magnitude spiral galaxy NGC 3989, which lies just to the northeast.  This tiny galaxy forms a chain with two others, running to the northeast from NGC 3987.  The next galaxy is the 14.7 mag spiral NGC 3993, followed by the 14th magnitude, face-on barred-spiral NGC 3997.  These galaxies lie among a pattern of stars which also run on a rough chain in the same direction.


The field in an 8-inch f/8 at 130x.  North is down and east is to the right.
Millennium Star Atlas Vol II Chart 679
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 6
Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 147

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