| Compact
Galaxy Group
Five members: NGC 5353, NGC 5354, NGC 5355, NGC 5358 and NGC 5350 Visual Magnitude of Brightest Member: 10.5 Apparent Diameter: 9.2' Light Travel Time: 100 million yrs |
The 68th entry of Paul Hickson's catalog of compact galaxy groups sports a quintet of galaxies within 10o of the famous Whirlpool galaxy. At least a 10" scope is required to see all five members. A 6" will show the three brightest, NGC 5353, 5354, and 5350, as well as the nearby NGC 5371 and 5313.
In a 6" the view of NGC 5353 and 5354 is dominated primarily by their bright cores. NGC 5350 is considerably larger and more diffuse; it may require averted vision. The presence of a nearby 6th magnitude star may make this galaxy difficult. Use high magnification--at least 130x. I noted in my log that the nearby star is actually a nice pair at low power. The nearby NGC 5371 is even larger and much more diffuse and may also require averted vision to see.
The view in a 6" at 135x. N is down, E is right.
In 10" or larger scopes the much fainter NGC 5355 and 5358 appear, completing the quintet and the close NGC 5353/5354 galaxies make a very nice pair at high magnification. This group is a joy in my 18-inch f/4.5! NGC 5353/54 make a pretty pair and NGC 5350 appears large and smooth. My best view was at at 260x.
The view in an 18" Dobsonian at 190x. N is down and E is right.
The above image is from
the DSS. North is down and east is to the right.
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol II Chart 608
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 7 Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 76 |
